(ANS – Madrid) – On Saturday 6 October the meeting of National Delegates of the Salesian Youth Pastoral of Western Europe took place in Madrid. The meeting was chaired by Fr Fabio Attard, Youth Ministry Advisor (PG), assisted  by Fr Miguel Angel García, Head of PG for Europe, and also participating were the National Delegates Fr Luis Fernando Gutiérrez (Spain), Fr  Vincent Grodziski (France-Belgium), Fr  J. Anibal Mendonça (Portugal).

The objectives of the meeting were: to strengthen relations between National Delegates and the portfolio through communication and dialogue; to share and reflect on current issues of Salesian Youth Pastoral in the region and deal with topics of interest for the three delegations. The document reflecting  the identity, mission and function was presented by the Department.

The theme of rethinking of the Salesian Youth Pastoral in different nations was also addressed, as well as the paths of socialization of a new Fundamental Framework of Youth Pastoral after the 27th General Chapter. Participants shared their experiences of the visit of the urn of Don Bosco and had a discussion about the seminar on "Social platforms and Evangelisation", to be held in February 2013.

The participants also touched on the issues relating to multiple projects and various Pastoral initiatives in the three countries. On the agenda, four meetings are scheduled: the World Council "Evangelising by educating", (February 2013); the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, (July 2013); the meeting of Salesian Youth Pastoral delegates from Europe, (November 2013); and the meeting of young people from the Salesian Youth movement at Valdocco-Colle Don Bosco (August 2015).

Published on 09/10/2012