EUROPE/ITALY – The "challenge of charity" for many "outlawed poor people" of our times

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "In all countries, even where the welfare state is more advanced, there are so many 'outlawed poor people' and for them free charity is needed, a divine providence that intervenes through the heart and generosity of Christians". This was stated by the Superior General of the Sons of Divine Providence (Opera Don Orione), Father Flavio Peloso, during the International Orionino Charities Conference, which has just ended.
According to information sent to Fides Agency, the Conference was attended by 120 delegates from 34 countries, where the charity work of Don Orione are engaged in three areas: the socio-promotional: with 19 shelters, 3 family houses, two counseling centers, 17 canteens and 18 structures of various types that engage more than 600 volunteers and assist 8000 people and many other activities that revolve around informal and non-institutionalized activity; the social and healthcare: with 39 Small Cottolenghi, 30 nursing homes and long-term care, 19 medical centers and 15 health centers of various kinds engaged in such activities, assisting approximately 12 000 people; school-education: with 123 educational centers involving 317 volunteers and welcome more than 100 thousand students.
Father Flavio Peloso highlighted the main challenges that result in a new inculturation of the charism in three directions: "towards new works according to the new times, towards new ways of working, towards new identity (and formation) of those who work". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2014)