(ANS - Rome)- It was 6 September 2015 when Pope Francis invited parishes and religious communities across Europe to put the Gospel into practice by accepting refugee families, as a concrete gesture of mercy. Since then, many communities have taken up his call. And in recent days, two more Salesian houses, in Rome and Venice, have opened their doors to refugees.

At Don Bosco Boys’ Town in Rome a family of refugees from Syria has been given accommodation. .Their presence enriched the celebration of the Feast of Don Bosco on 31 January, and showed in an exceptional way the kind of hospitality that is part of daily life at the many facilities for needy young people – the day centre, the family home, the oratory-youth centre and the vocational training centre.

Seven Pakistani refugees have been housed since 2 February at the Salesian House of Castello in Venice. They are aged between 20 and 24 and were farm workers in their country of origin. They arrived in Venice about a year ago, carrying bags, suitcases and even mattresses. According to the newspaper La Nuova di Venezia e Mestre, four of them have already found employment in the hospitality and catering industry. All are now part of the San Giuseppe accommodation project of the Salesians of Castello.

According to the director, Fr Narciso Belfiore,"The project is intended to offer temporary accommodation in agreement with the Curia."  However, there are bureaucratic difficulties.  It should also be pointed out that the building now housing the refugees, of 100 square metres with a separate entrance, is owned by the municipality but was renovated at the expense of the parish of St Francesco di Paola, St Peter and St Joseph, which is served by the Salesians.

Meanwhile Alberto Donaggio, the coordinator of the project for the Salesians, is taking steps to explain the rules of the house to the migrants.

Published 10/02/2016