Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - About 500 General and Provincial Superiors of religious institutes from all over Italy have gathered in Rome at the Pontifical Urban University Roma, 13 to 16 April 2004, to discuss the role of consecrated life at this time in history when xenophobe and closing to “people who are different from us” threaten to degenerate into a clash of civilisations to destroy in God’s name those who are different. “ Making hope visible in a changing world...” is the theme chosen for the National Assembly of the Union of Major Superiors in Italy USMI which will address the subject from three aspects: reflection and comparison of religious life in Italy and in Europe faced with the phenomenon of ageing (ad intra and ad extra) and the challenge of dialogue/exchange inter-generation and inter-congregation; religious life in Italy and in Europe faced with the social-cultural phenomenon of ethnic mobility ad intra e ad extra; religious life in Italy and Europe faced with the phenomenon of a multi-religious society; the challenge of a new ecclesial awareness and interreligious dialogue.
Ethnic mobility, the different customs, cultures and religions present in our societies are a providential opportunity not to be missed which test our fidelity to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus and our loyalty to the Church - the presentation of the assembly affirms -, putting us in direct contact with the great problems which afflict humanity today and “obliging us” to make decisions of solidarity, justice and brotherhood not only towards others but also among ourselves in our communities of life where the inter-cultural aspect is present and pushes from within to find its own place in dignity and truth. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2004; Righe 21; Parole 311)
