VATICAN - World Congress for Pastoral Care of Gypsies: “the Church calls all men, especially Christians, to assume their responsibilities, both at the service of society as well as in political commitments, in order to guarantee full respect of the dignity and rights of every human being.”

Freising (Agenzia Fides) – “In response to the discrimination and indifference suffered by many of our brothers and sisters, the Church ‘cannot remain indifferent to social realities,’ and calls all men, especially Christians, to assume their own responsibilities, both at the service of society as well as in political commitments, in order to guarantee full respect of the dignity and rights of every human being.” This was stated by Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, in his opening address to participants in the 6th World Congress for Pastoral Care of Gypsies, which began on the afternoon of September 1, at the Bildungszentrum Kardinal-Döpfner-Haus in Freising (Germany), with the theme: “Youth gypsies in the Church and society.”
Highlighting some of the “precarious living conditions and limited opportunities for work and education” that lead many youth – especially among the gypsy population – to feel themselves marginalized and victims of inequality, with a loss of confidence in themselves and in their families, as well as in political, judicial, and educational institutions both on a public and private level, Cardinal Martino affirmed that “If individuals are expected to contribute to a just moral and social order in the community, with generosity and courage, all the more reason for governments and international and national organizations to protect the dignity and identity of every human being and of the entire human person.”
Cardinal Martino recalled that in previous Congresses, attention had been given to “the principles of equality and working against discrimination. It became evident the need for a centralized service of the Church that would promote cooperation and dialogue with international and national organizations and with the various Christian churches, in order to eliminate any kind of discrimination and violence.” The Cardinal revealed, with lament, that in spite of the pleas made and the advice given, “while there is a considerable openness and interest for the gypsy people on the part of international and national organizations, there is also a certain lack of flexibility and ambiguous attitudes on the part of governments that we find deplorable.” Concluding his speech, Cardinal Martino expressed his hope that this Congress may lead to “the commitment and will, on our part, to serve all people in charity and with love.”
In his speech, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Secretary for the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, mentioned some technical clarifications on the use of terms such as “gypsies” and “gypsy youth,” later emphasizing the fact that “the Church has always looked with confidence and Christian love towards the youth, accompanying them on their spiritual and earthly path, with maternal care and prudent affection.” The Archbishop gave five points in his speech: formative background; modern-day challenges for gypsy youth; factors/norms for an effective inclusion in society; international, national, and state organizations at the service of gypsy youth; the Church and gypsy youth.
Archbishop Marchetto presented some suggestions on themes that should be developed regarding gypsy youth: creating more centers (including Church-run) offering training, study, professional preparation; promoting activities of cultural exchange among the gypsy youth, so as to promote their educational progress and make them aware of the environment in which they live; form mixed committees of both Church and state authorities, in order to reflect on the problems to be faced and find plans of action; offering various activities (volunteer work, associations, sports groups, seminars, art classes) and prevention work to “pull” the youth out of the inertia of idleness, drugs, alcohol, etc.; identify and form leaders in their communities; make petitions to humanitarian organizations, Caritas, etc. for economic aid in the area of small loans for families and communities that prove to have a greater capacity in administrating the funds, for the benefit of the entire gypsy population. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2008)