| United States – International Migrants Day |
| RMG – Introduction to Salesian Missions Day 2010 |
The conference began with a welcome from the auxiliary bishop of Košice, Bishop Bernard Bober, and the Mayor of the city Mr František Knapík. During the conference two Gypsies Mr. Jan Hero, Principal of the Private College for Gypsies in Kremnica, and the young Salesian in formation Salvatore Policino, a student of theology at the Don Bosco International Institute in Turin-Crocetta, spoke about their experience of ministry with the Gypsies.
At the end of the conference three aims for an effective pastoral ministry were identified: make better known the engagement of the Salesian Congregation on behalf of the Gypsies, identify certain features of the Preventive System suitable for encouraging the social integration of the Gypsies and finally intensify the commitment to removing prejudices against the Gypsy community.
The Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez, with an engagement in Portugal in those sent a message to those present at the Conference: “I have happy that the Salesian Congregation can celebrate the 150th anniversary of its Foundation with an ever more decisive and significant presence among these brothers and sisters of ours, who are usually put on one side by society and who themselves are often on the frontiers.”
Recalling the 20th anniversary of the Charter of Childrens’ Rights the Rector Major continued saying that “it is a fine thing to see the Salesians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Co- Workers and friends of Don Bosco engaged in giving dignity to the Gypsies and in being present among them in the field of education in Human Rights .”
This meeting in Košice introduces the year which the Salesian Congregation wants to dedicate to ministry among the Gypsies. The Salesian Missionary Theme for 2010, in some places called “Domenica Missionaria Salesiana” (DOMISAL), is in fact: “The Salesians of Don Bosco walking with the Gypsies.”
Published 25/11/2009
