Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Germany (Agenzia Fides) - I am in Germany. Where, is of little importance. This is one of Germany's main cities, one of those which did not experience Communism and whose growth is due also to the work of numerous immigrants. It is Summer. Tomorrow Germany's national football team will play Turkey's national team. Large flags fly everywhere. They are even more numerous in districts with large Turkish immigrant communities. Turkey, Turkey! Germany, Germany! The wind blows for both teams, puffing them up and giving a sultry afternoon a party spirit. I am about to call on two Italian women who today are and feel part of this nation. At the end of World War II they came here with their parents, dragging enormous cardboard luggage tied with string. Germany was starting from scratch and needed workers. The girls, still very young, began cleaning toilets and mopping floors. They learned the language. They met two Italian immigrants and married. Now they are widows and pensioners. The children all have good jobs. I will not see them except in the photographs placed here and here. One of the women, the younger one says goodbye almost immediately. Only later I learn that she did not wish to be interviewed. They never miss an appointment with the Lord. They are not women of the last century, they know all about the world around them. No prejudice or resentment. As we begin to speak and one leaves by the front door, the telephone rings. The Italian woman goes to answer. She speaks in German. The person accompanying me explains that the woman is speaking with her son. He adds in a whisper :"She will refuse to give an any interview and will ask us not to stay long.” – This happens. She is afraid. But of what. I guarantee she will remain unnamed, that we will make no reference to places or situations which could lead to her. She is adamant. “We can talk about everything except my situation as an immigrant today.” Then she adds:” Things here have changed. In the district, religion, race, language, made no difference. We all helped one another. Now I feel German. In this house I brought up my children. In this district I went walking with my husband. Here I built my life. In the armchair where you are sitting, I cried and I hugged my children with joy. I refuse to move away. I want to stay here until I die” – Now I begin to understand and remember the warning of person accompanying me. The woman who has worked hard all her life is probably threatened by a few extremists who want the district for themselves. She whispers, almost afraid of being overheard: “I feel threatened. All around I see acts and attitudes of neighbours never seen before. Years ago I felt a stranger because I was a foreigner, today other immigrants make me feel I am a stranger. I think and speak in German, when I visit Italy I cannot wait to come back here. This is home. I am sorry, I cannot not give an interview, even though at first I said I would. My children also advised me not to. I answer:” Please no not worry, but may I ask why you do not live with your children?”. She is silent. “Once in this district we were all one family, the family of immigrants. Not any more. The young people move away. We the old ones stay, part of a past when we were all poor, but all friends. This friendship is no more. And my son continues to say – Mamma come away -, but I will not go, and please don't ask me anything else.” In silence I walk down the stairs with the person accompanying me. An intelligent man. A deacon. Once back in the car I ask him: “ Why did you take me to see her?” looking out the window as I spoke. No friendly glances from the people who watch us drive away. Now I see what is happening in this district once Italian and Turk, Christian and Muslim. The factiousness of extremism has crept in. The poor old pensioner, her hands worn with years of hard and humble toil, is simply not a friend any more and she is afraid. This is an interview which I will never obtain. (Germany, Luca de Mata) (Agenzia Fides 5/1/2009)
