(ANS – Munich) – The Salesians in Germany, both in Munich (where the Provincial House is), and in Bonn (where the Missions Office is located) celebrated the Feast of Don Bosco with the motto “Along their paths with the young”. On 5 and 6 February they were engaged in studying how to integrate young people from other cultures and countries  and accompany them, preparing them for a positive future.

In Munich the main speakers were Fr Stefan Stöhr, and the Salesian Brother Charles Taban, from Southern Sudan, who described the situation of young refugees from different perspectives. Bro Taban, who as a youth had himself been a refugee spoke about the support which the Salesians in Southern Sudan were giving to the victims of forced replacement. In spite of the adverse conditions, Bro Taban reported many successes because the young people recognise and appreciate the opportunities they are being offered, with personal support, a place in the communities and in educational  programmes.

Fr Stefan Stöhr presented two project for the reception of young refugees, which for over  two years the Salesians have been running in Munich, in Bavaria. At present there are 24 young people from different countries involved in the  “Life” and “Hope” projects, which ensure that they are looked after  24 hours a day by teachers and social workers. In addition they are provided with advisory service on legal, administrative and scholastic matters.

“All the young people who come to us have the same needs,” Fr Stöhr said – “The same questions keep coming up: ‘Who am I? Who do I belong to? What am I worth?’”. Fr Stöhr adds: “What matters for us  is the human being behind every story.” Dr. Nelson Penedo, Director General of the Bonn Mission Office and the Salesian Brother Jean Paul Muller, Economer General of the Congregation, underlined the importance of this subject for Salesians around the world. The Vice President of the Government of Upper Baviera, Dr. Ulrich Boeger, who is responsble for the familes of refugees in Munich, spoke about the challenge in his work of balancing the administrative management  aspects and the humanitarian ones.

The Salesian house in Bonn has also had as guests 32 young people from Salesian houses in 11 countries who were taking part in an International Conference of young people on the issues of immigration and mobility.

The Mass in Munich, celebrated with great enthusiam, was presided by Bishop Wolfgang Bischof, auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Munich; while in Bonn, Bishop Adriaan van Luyn SDB bishop emeritus of the diocese of Rotterdam presided and the Vice Provincial Fr Franz-Ulrich Otto concelebrated with other Salesian priests.

Published 09/02/2012