Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Consecrated gypsies, their vocation and mission to their ethnic brothers and sisters, is the theme of the First World Meeting for Gypsy priests, deacons and men and women religious organised by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, in Rome, 22 - 25 September on the theme “With Christ at the service of the Gypsy People”. The Meeting was promoted in the spirit of “Guidelines for Pastoral Care of Gypsies” (2005) and to mark the 10th anniversary of the beatification on 4 May 1997by John Paul II of Ceferino Giménez Malla, the first gypsy to be lifted to the honour of the altars. The participants include about forty priests, deacons and men and women religious of gypsy origin.
In the world about 36 million gypsies live in Europe, in the Americas and in some Asian countries. Eighteen million are thought to live in India, where this people first originated. According to the Council of Europe there are between 9 and 12 million gypsies on the continent mainly in eastern Europe. The United States has about one million gypsies. The gypsy people are of various different ethnic groups, the most known are the following: Rom, Sint, Manousche, Kalé, Yéniches and Xoraxané. It is estimated that there are about a hundred gypsy priests or religious: about twenty in India, ten in Hungary, others in Slovakia, Spain, Rumania and Italy. France is so far the only country where the national director for Pastoral Care of Gypsies in a gypsy priest and he is assisted by another priest, 3 deacons, 2 women religious and one lay consecrated woman, all gypsies.
“You priests, deacons and religious are the ‘chosen part' of the Gypsy people and in you - we can be sure - God's special love for your people is made manifest ” said Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, in the opening address. “I am sure this meeting will offer many opportunities for you to reaffirm with courage your determination to offer to your brother and sister Gypsies, the treasure you have discovered, Christ and his Gospel, to share our God our heavenly Father's freely given love with them.” The Archbishop underlined that the specific nature of pastoral care for gypsies and the challenges which present day culture poses to the evangelisation of the Gypsy people “call for a solid spiritual foundation and a life of prayer as well as clear testimony, courageous and consistent fidelity”. Inviting those present to consider the gift of priestly or religious vocation received from Christ, Archbishop Marchetto said: “Thanks to your generous response to God's call, to your fidelity to your ministry and consecration, the Gypsy people - your people - is open to Christ and to the Church where they feel ‘at home'. Through your courageous testimony, the Church - in turn- sees herself in her children, still too suffocated by stereotypes and prejudice with regard to Gypsies, but anxious to resume dialogue and cordial reception. This we desire and for this we pray.”
Mgr. Novatus Rugambwa, under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, in his intervention underlined that it cannot be ignored that most Gypsies “live under conditions which fail to meet the fundamental needs of the human person and find themselves in situations contrary to humanitarian and Christian principles… we are dismayed by the neglect and indifference with regard to school instruction for Rom children. We are amazed that society today should still be moved by prejudice which excludes many young people and adults, even those with professional training, from finding work because… they are Gypsies. Lastly we cannot keep silent with regard to the acts of pure racism, of which they are the victims. In saying all this we certainly do not overlook their duties and responsibilities towards the society which surrounds them.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2007 - righe 46, parole 671)
