Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People has published the final document of the First Latin American Meeting For Pastoral Care of the Road/Street, which took place October 19-24 at the headquarters of the Colombian Bishops' Conference in Bogota, having been organized by the Pontifical Council or the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, in collaboration with the Section of the Latin American Bishops' Council (CELAM) for Human Mobility (see Fides 16/10/2008 and 21/10/2008). The Meeting took as its theme “‘Jesus himself came up and walked by their side’ (Luke 24:15). The Pastoral Care of the Road/Street: A walk together”. It was attended by representatives from 11 countries (Argentina, The Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Italy).
Each one of the days was dedicated to one of the four different categories of Pastoral Care of the Road/Street: those who are on the road often (automobile drivers, truck drivers, etc.), women who are victims of sexual exploitation, children who live on the street, and the homeless.
As for those who are on the road often, the meeting showed that “the road and the street are an arena for the Church’s pastoral action.” Moreover, “given the expansion of the transport of goods and people, the number of lorry drivers and carriers on the roads is increasing” and “as a result of ever keener global competition, the pressure on their living and working conditions will also intensify.” These are people whose lives are continually affected by “variability, instability, insecurity and danger.” In this area, the meeting offered several proposals. Among them were: offer guidance to the faithful and promote activities regarding the main factors relating to road deaths and injuries – as well as their prevention; work with government groups to promote, with all possible media, a corresponding and adequate education; invest in the formation of pastoral ministers in this area, and promote the involvement of trade union representatives, entrepreneurs and authorities.
As for the pastoral care for the liberation of women on the street, the meeting observed that “people trafficking, especially of women, minors and children, has turned into a powerful global industry, the world’s third most lucrative criminal activity after arms trading and drug dealing.” There are many current difficulties hindering the recognition that people trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation is a crime, especially due to “a certain lack of visibility of the phenomenon, deriving from an attitude that denies that people involved in prostitution are also victims.”
As for the causes, they mention firstly the origin of many of the victims who “come from dysfunctional homes and, in seeking to escape from their situation, become an easy prey for the criminal recruiters.” Furthermore, the notable number has increased “for economic, social and cultural reasons.”
Regarding this pastoral care, the work carried out by religious congregations is extremely positive. “However, the intervention of the Church and by governmental bodies has so far been inadequate and insufficient to achieve better results,” the document says. Among the recommendations made in this area are: a renewed solidarity should be promoted in the Church; networks have to be created in order to make dealing with prostitution and people trafficking more efficient; the victims of people trafficking should be given overall assistance; injustice, violence and the actions of criminal gangs have to be prophetically condemned, wherever and in whatever circumstances they occur.
The third category addresses the children living in the street, among whom there is a difference between children “in” the street and those “of” the street. The former, who constitute the majority, “spend most of the day in the street, maybe carrying out some kind of work, and maintain contact with their families,” while “children 'of' the street, however, are homeless and have no family ties.” “Children who are rejected by their families are more likely to flee to the streets, easily become victims of drug trafficking and criminal organizations and may even end up in prison.” In the meeting, it was observed that n various countries of Latin America important activities for attending to, promoting and defending the rights of young people, adolescents and street children have been developed. However, there is still much left to be done. Among the proposals are: specific pastoral projects should be developed for evangelizing and assisting street children; apostleship in favor of street children should be carried out together with pastoral care of the family; safe and protected homes, as well as health, psychological, therapeutic, spiritual and educational assistance, should be provided for street children; governments have to be urged to implement laws that protect them and recognize their rights;
the possibility of foster families should be considered when effective conditions for reintegrating street children within their own families do not exist.
And lastly, regarding the homeless, they are “a mixed group. What they have in common are dire poverty, fragile or broken family ties, not owning a conventional home and making themselves a living space out the street.” The meeting pointed out some of the qualities that should guide the pastoral agent working with these people, given that it is normally a difficult task that includes “the capacity for friendly welcome, integration and perseverance and the force to overcome frequent failures.” Among the recommendations for this pastoral work, the meeting saw that: ties should be established with street people that allow for the creation of relations of trust and ecclesial participation; the participation of street people in Catholic associations, ecclesial movements and the new communities has to be promoted; volunteer service should be promoted; activities must be developed to condemn the phenomenon and raise the awareness of civil society and governments; Collaboration networks should be set up; promote catechetical groups that prepare the homeless and cardboard collectors for the encounter with the Lord through the Sacraments and the Word of God.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2008)
