Catholic World News : Pope praises C&L founder on anniversary of death

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Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) paid tribute to the late Msgr. Luigi Giussani, the founder of the Communion and Liberation movement, on the first anniversary of his death.

In a letter to Father Julian Carron, the new leader of Communion and Liberation, the Holy Father extolled Msgr. Giussani's "solid faithfulness to Christ and his incessant efforts to communicate the wealth of the evangelical message to all social groups." The Pope's letter was dated February 2, but released by the Vatican on February 21. Don Giussani, as he was known to his followers, died last February 22 at the age of 82.

The Pope's letter praises the "father and teacher of so many young people," and urges the members of Communion and Liberation to follow "his footsteps and his teaching," cautioning them that they should always work "in communion with bishops and other ecclesial figures."

Pope Benedict XVI's continued esteem for the movement encourages me. Everyone should have the opportunity to encounter the exceptionality of Christ. Don Giussani's tireless efforts enabled many throughout the world to do just that. In this time in which our Reasonable elites bow to the Dictatorship, while islamofascists prostrate themselves before zealous jihadic nihilism, everyone needs to experience communion with our Savior. Only when we are in relationship with him are we truly who we are. May God continue to shower the movement with his Grace, so that all who participate in it can bear his gospel to a desperate, enshadowed world. So say we all!