EUROPE/ITALY - Help the poor and the abused bearing witness to the Gospel. Rev. Oreste Benzi founder of the Papa Giovanni XXIII Association joins FOSCIV and Caritas Italy in the Millennium Goals Campaign speaks with Fides

Rome (Fides Service) - “We are part of the Church and the Church has assigned to us a role in the world of slavery, poverty and abuse. Therefore we are happy to take part in the Millennium Campaign with other Catholic organisations”. Rev. Oreste Benzi, founder of the Papa Giovanni XXIII Association told Fides with regard to a Campaign promoted by Italian volunteers in the world FOCSIV and Caritas Italy to pressure governments to respect commitments made, first of all to halve poverty in the world by 2015.
“Our community” continues Rev. Benzi, “is present in 21 countries in many parts of the south of the world from Latin America, to Africa and Asia to help the development of these peoples in the light of Christ. Our work in the world covers two fields of action: on the one hand we work against oppression of powerful countries which often exploit poor countries and on the other with micro-programmes we try to support initiatives undertaken locally by oppressed peoples. Rather than undertake initiatives ourselves we support local initiatives. We help these peoples with their challenges, activity, initiatives and in their work we bear witness to Christ and the Gospel which gradually becomes the foundation for their life”.
“Everywhere” concluded Rev. Benzi, “we denounce injustice but we are not a movement against it. We do not fear the evil which exists, but we want to promote the good which is lacking and therefore our presence is positive. We help the people we assist to learn to help those in need and to become witnesses of Christ’s love for the world”. (P.L.R.) (Agenzia Fides 20/01/2005 - Righe 21; Parole 292)