Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Budapest (Fides Service) – Full recognition of the rights of Gypsies or Romany peoples and their fundamental freedoms as sanctioned by the European Convention; same identity papers as other citizens; commitment by governments to guarantee right of abode, from which is derived to a greater extent improved health-conditions, education, schooling and economic and cultural development of gypsies. These were the main requests listed in an appeal issued at the end of a Congress for Pastoral Care of Gypsies in Budapest promoted by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, in collaboration with the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Hungary, on the theme “Church and Gypsies for a spirituality of communion”. From June 30 to July 7 some 203 participants from 26 different countries, mainly in Europe, but also from Asia and America, attended the 5th International Congress for the Pastoral Care of Gypsies held at the Peter Pazmany Catholic University in Budapest. For the first time participants included gypsy priests, religious and lay Catholics.
The appeal which is part of a Final Statement still being elaborated – is articulated in 10 points in which the congress participants make requests to national leaders on themes already addressed by European legislators and by International Conventions but not yet put into practice. Among the most urgent requests: removal of every obstacle to free circulation of gypsies, abolishing presently requested special circulation papers; camping sites open to gypsies according to well defined modalities (during the winter for example);access to pre-school teaching for gypsies children and the introduction in school of education of all pupils with regard to diversity and sociality. The participants stressed the need to valorise the human and cultural resources represented by about 4 million gypsy children and adolescents half of which have never been to school. “The participants agreed that there is an authentic and growing desire among gypsies to resolutely commit themselves to moving towards juridical integration in those national communities with which they have links of life and work. This attitude, the fruit of a change in the world of gypsies already announced some years ago, may be decisive for the success of the processes of inclusion and integration”.
Looking with confidence at the Church, Mother and Teacher, “called to sustain pastoral care for gypsies all over the planet, aware of the deep bonds which unite evangelisation with human promotion” the participants call on the local Churches to denounce injustices against gypsy groups in their territory, injustice which manifests egoistic indifference, prejudice and discrimination. SL (Fides Service 7/7/2003 EM lines 34 Words: 462)
