| RMG – The Meeting of the Provincials of Europe comes to an end |
| RMG – The personal witness of Magdi Cristiano Allam |
| RMG – Re-launching the charism Salesian in Europe |
Commenting on the readings for the day and quoting “Gaudium et Spes”, Bishop Van Luyn referred to the constant task of the Church to examine the signs of the times and to interpret them in the light of the Gospel. The current economic crisis is one of the signs of the times than needs to be looked and interpreted. “The cause of the financial crisis, however, is to be found not only in the lack of transparency and legal responsibility, but rather in the questionable model of our society;”; a crisis therefore not only of the currency but of values. “Even though the Church cannot pronounce on the practical and technical measures to be taken, her Social Doctrine does offer a contribution of realism and of hope.”
As President of the COMECE, Bishop Van Luyn said he had proposed in addition to “people-profit-planet”, that special attention be given to “pneuma”: “Man is more than a consumer of producer; he is a rational, social and relational being, moral and spiritual.” The ideas of the Social Teaching of the Church, however, the Bishop remarked, are not accepted for philosophical reasons, but because they are religious. Christians are being called to examine their own consciences because to them has been entrusted “a message of salvation, meant for all (GS 2)”. In a culture characterised by the dynamics of communication, where non-verbal communication rather than verbal is becoming ever more important, it is vital to add example to proclamation. So Christians are being constantly called upon to ask themselves: “What can we do to transmit the faith in a way that is more intelligible and give witness to it in our lives in a more credible way?”
Discerning the signs of the times and responding with urgency to the needs with the creativity and the balance which marked Don Bosco’s activity are the tasks also facing the Salesian, Bishop Van Luyn observed quoting the Salesian Constitutions. “Salesians cannot go it alone, they must become active allies of all those who in the Church and in society strive to obtain a society that is more human and humanising.” In forming “upright citizens and good Christians” the Sons of Don Bosco need to give attention to educating to moral, professional and social responsibilities.
Bishop Van Luyn concluded by encouraging the Provincials and the Salesian Family to combine their forces –religious Congregations, Cooperators, Past Pupils, the Salesian Pontifical University and the Auxilium – in a common apostolic project: “We are well-prepared: with a strong and attractive spiritual heritage, a mission to youth and to the ordinary people that is more than ever relevant, an educational preventive system and a dynamic youth ministry based on relationships.”
Returning to the Salesianum, in the Assembly the Provincials shared the fruits of their group work the previous day, which developing the talk of the Rector Major, indicated objectives, contents and procedures for the Project for Europe. Afterwards in Regional Groups – Italy-Middle East, North Europe and West Europe –and the General Council, they moved on to proposals and practical plans.
In the afternoon Magdì Cristiano Allam, Deputy Editor of the Italian Daily “Corriere della Sera”, recently converted from Islam to Christianity is due to speak.
Published 29/11/2008
