“REBUILD MY CHURCH”
Unity... of each soul with God
Unity... within the Catholic Church
Unity... with the Orthodox
Unitas: “Come, Rebuild My Church”
Dear Friend, Greetings!
In 1986, I found myself in Rome working on my doctoral dissertation at the center of the Catholic Church I loved. Pope John Paul II was in his 8th year as Pope, and new winds were blowing through the Church and the world.
I saw the winds of change bringing renewal, yes, but also division, confusion – even the very beginnings of schism. Our precious unity was in clear danger.
And not only was our Catholic unity threatened: the 1,000-year fracture between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches was crippling Christianity, as each of our Churches struggled, alone, to confront unprecedented secularization, moral chaos, and even persecution.
It was then that I visited Assisi, not far from Rome, and heard echoing in my ears the words spoken by Christ to the beloved saint, Francis of Assisi in 1205 A.D.: “Francis, come, rebuild my Church, which, as you can see, is falling into ruin.”
At that point, everyday Catholics in the West, especially the U.S., felt their ties to the Vatican and the Pope slipping away. “We are American Catholics, not Roman Catholics,” some said.
There was truly a darkness descending, yet somehow I felt I could contribute to lighting the way – to healing the division and confusion in the Catholic Church, to reaching out to our Orthodox brothers and sisters in faith.
John Paul II’s words, “The Church must breathe with both her lungs!” convinced me that the struggle to rebuild the Church could not really be successful without our final reunification with the Orthodox.
Since 1993, Urbi et Orbi Communications, publisher of Inside the Vatican magazine, has taken up the torch for unity –both within the Catholic Church, and with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. Our work to unite and rebuild has grown beyond our magazine; through our numerous projects we’ve built a structure of friendships among Catholics and Orthodox alike, brick by brick, around the world.
St. Francis, at first, picked up stones to rebuild one ruined chapel, but he soon realized his task was a much broader one: to rebuild the whole Church. He began the order of Friars Minor, and together they brought the one light of Christ close to the people of their time, and lit up the darkness of the age in a way we have not forgotten.
Urbi et Orbi Communications, too, seeks to answer the plea of Christ, “Rebuild my Church,” so that we “all may be one.” We see the darkness of secularism closing in around us – and we must respond, together in spiritual and tangible ways. The answer, I believe, is to hold high, like a torch, the profound beauty and truth of our faith: it is the source of our unity, and our strength.
It is my sincere hope that every one of you will step forward, be a torchbearer with us, and help light the way of Truth in the gathering darkness – in unity with God, within the Catholic Church, and with our Orthodox brothers and sisters.
Robert B. Moynihan, Ph.D.
Mary is not only the mother of Jesus, but of the entire Church – all those who believe in her Son. Mary (pictured here in a hodegetria icon, in which Mary points to Jesus as the Savior of mankind) leads all souls toward her Son, “the Light of the World.” Turning toward the One Light, the world can find everything it seeks.
In unity, as Christ taught us, is our strength, for “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
(Mark 3:25)
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THE URGENT NEED FOR UNITY
Because you care about our Catholic Church, you realize the extent to which an increasingly secularized culture is causing fractures within the Church, dividing us into “progressives” and “traditionalists,” confusing and disheartening many Catholics.
You see it with your own eyes: our beliefs and traditions are being strategically dismantled in the wider culture. Your children and grandchildren are being pulled away from the Faith. And global changes, especially in the wake of the Covid epidemic, are threatening to divide us even more. There is unease and division in the very depths of many souls, even, at times, our own.
“A HOUSE DIVIDED”
You know the weakness of the divided body of Christians worldwide, especially in confronting an increasingly “postChristian” Western culture. In 1054, the Great Schism tore the Body of Christ in two, separating Western from Eastern Christians, Roman Catholics from Orthodox. Our sad division has weakened us tremendously; we are indeed “a house divided.”
Meanwhile, you have seen the intense pressures on millions of Christians in the Middle East. Less than 1% of the former Christian population of the Holy Land remains. In Lebanon – a land where Jesus walked and performed miracles – a quarter of Christians have fled, and thousands more are planning to leave.
Be the Hands that Help “Rebuild My Church”
By supporting our Unitas Campaign, you become the hands that build unity within the Catholic Church; you become the hands that reach out to our Orthodox brothers and sisters as we confront together this common danger, the steady extinguishing of our one Faith. Together we will work toward our eventual reunification as one Body of Christ. And in doing so, each of us will be fostering a deeper unity between our own souls and God.
NOW IS THE TIME
Because you are an essential partner in our work to shine the light of Christ’s truth into all this disunity and confusion, to get authentic Catholic teaching and spiritual nourishment into the hands – and hearts – of all Catholics, we invite you to deepen your friendship and partnership with us for unity. Join us, with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, as we join hands to oppose an increasingly hostile secular culture. Our unity will ensure that the Christian vision guiding us over the centuries can take on renewed influence and strength in our troubling times.
30 Year History
Inside the Vatican magazine quickly became one of the most respected and influential magazines in the Catholic world and continues to be so today.
1990s
Urbi launched common Catholic-Orthodox cultural and social projects
1999-2001
Urbi et Orbi Communications launched Inside the Vatican magazine.
1993
Why Unitas Now?
Fr. Cassian Folsom, O.S.B. and Rev. Joseph Stanichar, both founders of monasteries, one Western rite and one Eastern rite
Testimonials
POPEJOHN PAUL II
“Do something for this magazine.” Spoken to an official of Poland’s LOT airlines, when the official asked the Pope what he might do to help the Pope’s mission. The airline took out an advertisement on the back cover of Inside the Vatican magazine for many years.
SUBSCRIBER DONOR
“My long and winding road back to the Catholic Church was lit by Inside the Vatican magazine. I was not looking to come back to the Church, so I am not sure why I picked up this magazine, yet I did. I then subscribed and read each issue. As I did, I desired to re-enter the Church. I will forever be grateful. I continue to read each issue from cover to cover. Thank you!”
Val, Ascot, England
“Thank you for sharing your wise and sometimes poignant insights into the personalities and events – and problems – in our Church. Through them we are granted a glimpse at the rich treasure of experiences and friendships Inside the Vatican has gained throughout a long journalistic quest to build up our beloved Church. We commend you for the trust you have established within the Church hierarchy, as well as with your readers.”
Susan, Texas, USA
Urbi launched an oral history project with Jewish WWII survivors and worked with the Vatican and Orthodox to restore the Our Lady of Kazan Icon to Russia in 2004.
2001-2004
PILGRIMS
“The Pilgrimage affected me personally; the people and their country have left deep impressions in my heart and mind as did the magnificent beauty of the hills and the blue sea surrounding much of Lebanon. The history of people of faith was almost palpable in monasteries we visited. The pilgrimage may have actively ended, but the journey in prayer and faith with unforgettable people still lives.”
Hilda, Ohio, USA
Urbi sponsored and organized concerts of sacred music, including Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfayev’s composition, “The Passion of St. Matthew,” in Rome and 3 US cities.
2007
Urbi helped organize a watershed CatholicOrthodox conference in Vienna, “To Give a Soul to Europe” and laid the basis for trust, friendship, collaboration, and open discussion of theological issues.
2006
Urbi sponsored and organized “The Spiritual Renewal of Russia” exhibit at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. We served as liaison for the transfer of relics from Rome to Kazan. 2007
Our Unitas Family
“We need Inside the Vatican in German. We need to keep Germany united with Rome, and your magazine can be a help in that important task.” Spoken to the editors of Inside the Vatican magazine in 2006, just before we launched our German edition.
“It is essential that groups such as yours become a concrete expression of the hope for reunion that is so difficult to achieve on the hierarchical level.”
Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople
“You may bring your pilgrims to stay in my house, the Domus Santa Marta, when your pilgrims visit the Vatican.” Via Domus Santa Marta Director, March
2008-2010
“This unity is the will of Christ Himself, who prayed that His disciples may be one, that the world may believe that the Father has sent Him. Our world today is in burning need of the testimony of a united Christianity.”
2013-2014
“My journey to Rome, and to the tomb of Peter, was a life-changing experience for me. I had dreamed all my life of visiting Rome, but what I actually experienced exceeded all my expectations. What I experienced brought me much closer to my Catholic brothers and sisters in faith.”
Dmitri, Participant in Urbi’s Clergy/Exchange Program, Moscow, Russia
“In this prison — deep in rural Georgia — there is no Catholic ministry, ergo, no sacraments; Inside the Vatican magazine, which reaches us in prison due to a generous donor, is therefore a vital part of my communion with the Church — second, of course, to prayer…”
Richard, Riverbend Correctional Facility, Georgia, USA
POPE BENEDICT XVI
Cardinal Peter Erdo
Urbi concretized our work to “build bridges” between Orthodox and Catholics by establishing the Urbi et Orbi Foundation.
2012
Urbi partnered with the Orthodox and Vatican to organize an Orthodox-Catholic Forum on religious freedom in Belarus; we held an international dinner at the papal nunciature in Washington and roundtable at the National Press Club.
Urbi collaborated with the Vatican, building upon the Pope Francis-Russian Patriarch Kirill joint declaration of February.
2016
Urbi led the first ITV pilgrimage to Italy. Later, our pilgrims were accorded the unique privilege of staying at the Domus Santa Marta, Pope Francis’ current residence – a practice we carry on today.
A PRISONER CARDINAL PETER ERDO
ORTHODOX SEMINARIAN ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
POPE FRANCIS
2013. Our pilgrims are among very few invited to stay at the Domus since Francis’ election.
Unitas: Come, Rebuild My Church builds upon 30 years of experience working towards unity in three main areas:
Unity of Each Soul with God: Unitas recognizes that the foundation of all unity is the solidarity of each soul with God; therefore our goal is to create opportunities for individuals to grow in their union with God.
Unity within the Catholic Church: Using every means of communication available – magazine, internet, pilgrimages, conferences, round-table discussions – Unitas works to bring clarity, understanding and healing to unite the Catholic faithful.
Unity with the Orthodox: Unitas is among the very few initiatives in the world working with the Orthodox toward a strategic alliance between the “two halves” of the Christian tradition – Catholic and Orthodox – so that, together, we can face the challenge of our post-Christian secular society and keep Christ’s presence and message alive.
Urbi et Orbi celebrates 30 years of supporting the faithful through:
Pilgrimages
Our pilgrimages help people escape the bustle of daily life and provide a space to “be” as they seek the Face of Christ –encouraging a metanoia, a transformation of heart. Pilgrimages provide funding to develop an authentic “pilgrimage culture” in the United States that deepens faith and fosters unity with God.
Print and Digital Media
We continue with courage and forthrightness to distribute the truth. Our flagship publication, Inside the Vatican, has been an independent, bold, honest and balanced magazine for 30 years. And in this age of “cancel culture,” it is doubly important to keep our journal in print, where it can’t be censored. Print and Digital Media provides unique content to engage the Catholic faithful and our Orthodox brothers and sisters.
Our hope, echoing the words of Saint John Paul II, is that one day soon Christianity may “breathe with both its lungs.”
Roundtable Discussions
Our knowledge, experience, vast international network, agility as laity, and reputation make us uniquely positioned to bring together Catholics — as well as Catholics and Orthodox – to discuss the important issues in the Church and world today. Roundtable Discussions gather those in prominent positions to bring about new understanding and collaboration.
Relief Efforts
Our personal relationships enable us to effectively bring short term help and long term hope in troubled countries where Catholics and Orthodox are being forced to flee. We will continue to provide aid through our Friends of Lebanon and Friends of Ukraine and Russia projects.
Exchange Programs
Our connections allow us to partner with the Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the heads of the Orthodox Churches to sponsor clergy exchanges. We support these Exchange Programs as they have proven to spark the desire for unity.
Urbi began the Vatican-Moscow Patriarchate clergy exchange program. Sponsored and attended – as the only laity present – the 2017 Orthodox-Catholic Bishops’ Forum in Paris.
2016-2017
Urbi led 6th annual “Bridgebuilding” pilgrimage to Rome, Moscow, Istanbul and Ukraine to discuss church unity with Pope Francis and Orthodox patriarchs.
Cornerstone Initiatives 1. 2. 3.
2019
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
Our 4-Year Campaign Goal: 2023-2026
Unitas Projected Funding Sources 2023-2026
Unitas Campaign Donations (63%)
$2,952,000 (4 years) Includes $1,000,000 endowment ($250,000 per year)
Program Revenue (37%) $1,728,000 (c.$432,000 earned yearly through our programs)
Unitas Campaign 2023-2026
Endowment (34%) $1,000,000
Exchange Program (4%) $120,000
Relief Efforts (13%) $376,000
4-YEAR PROJECTED BUDGET: $4.7 MILLION (Unitas program revenue provides c.$1.8 Million)
Erica: have a line go from each pie slice to the name like you did on the previous budget page
Urbi launched the 3rd digital version of Inside the Vatican magazine, the UrbietOrbiCommunications.com website, the Friends of Lebanon project and virtual pilgrimages with the Bishop of Assisi, Italy.
2020
Digital & Print Media (44%)
Pilgrimages (1%) $40,000 $1,296,000
Roundtables (4%) $120,000
4-YEAR CAMPAIGN TOTAL: $2,952,000 ($738,000 per year)
Erica: have a line go from each pie slice to the name like you did on the previous page
Friends of Russia and Ukraine was created to bring short term help to those in most need.
2022
Urbi launched the Unitas: Come, Rebuild My Church initiative, providing a unified framework for all of Urbi’s work.
2021
2023 2024 2025 20264-yearTotal Programs Pilgrimages$10,000$10,000$10,000$10,000$40,000 Digital & Print Media $370,000$342,000$310,000$274,000$1,296,000 Roundtable Discussion $30,000$30,000$30,000$30,000$120,000 Relief Efforts $94,000$94,000$94,000$94,000$376,000 Exchange Programs$30,000$30,000$30,000$30,000$120,000 Total Programs Cost ($ 534,000) ($ 506,000) ($ 474,000) ($ 438,000) ($ 1,952,000) Endowment ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 1,000,000) Campaign Goal ($ 784,000) ($ 756,000) ($ 724,000) ($ 688,000) ($ 2,952,000) Minus ProgramRevenue(Subscriptions, etc.) ($ (375,000) ($ (410,500) ($ (449,550) ($ (492,505) ($ (1,727,555) Total Campaign Goal ($ 409,000) ($ 345,500) ($ 274,450) ($ 195,495) ($ 1,224,445) $0 Digital and Print Media: $370,000 Production (2 people) $120,000 Grow Print & Digital Platform $100,000 Platform Cost $12,000 Equipment $10,000 Content Creation $128,000
Erica: have a line go from each pie slice to the name like you did on the previous budget page
2023 2024 2025 20264-yearTotal Programs Pilgrimages$10,000$10,000$10,000$10,000$40,000 Digital & Print Media $370,000$342,000$310,000$274,000$1,296,000 Roundtable Discussion $30,000$30,000$30,000$30,000$120,000 Relief Efforts $94,000$94,000$94,000$94,000$376,000 Exchange Programs$30,000$30,000$30,000$30,000$120,000 Total Programs Cost ($ 534,000) ($ 506,000) ($ 474,000) ($ 438,000) ($ 1,952,000) Endowment ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 250,000) ($ 1,000,000) Campaign Goal ($ 784,000) ($ 756,000) ($ 724,000) ($ 688,000) ($ 2,952,000) Minus ProgramRevenue(Subscriptions, etc.) ($ (375,000) ($ (410,500) ($ (449,550) ($ (492,505) ($ (1,727,555) Total Campaign Goal ($ 409,000) ($ 345,500) ($ 274,450) ($ 195,495) ($ 1,224,445) $0 Digital and Print Media: $370,000 Production (2 people) $120,000 Grow Print & Digital Platform $100,000 Platform Cost $12,000 Equipment $10,000 Content Creation $128,000 PROGRAMS 2023 2024 2025 2026 TOTALS Pilgrimages $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $ 40,000 Digital & Print Media $370,000 $342,000 $310,000 $274,000 $ 1,296,000 Roundtable Discussions $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $ 120,000 Relief Efforts $94,000 $94,000 $94,000 $94,000 $ 376,000 Exchange Programs $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $30,000 $ 120,000 TOTAL PROGRAMS COSTS $ 534,000 $ 506,000 $ 474,000 $ 438,000 $ 1,952,000 ENDOWMENT $ 250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $ 1,000,000 TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL $ 784,000 $ 756,000 $ 724,000 $688,000 $ 2,952,000
Erica: have a line go from each pie slice to the name like you did on the previous page
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† DECEASED
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)