Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “This project aimed at offering these young men an opportunity to follow a special spiritual, human and cultural itinerary so they may be put at the service of their respective countries clearly belongs to the institutional duties of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples since this all is part of evangelisation”. This statement was made by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples this morning during the inauguration of a new Master’s Degree in Management promoted by the Congregation. To have an influence on the tissue of the life of the Church and society in the countries to which Propaganda Fide dedicates its activity, the first finality of the Course “is to be a tool in the hands of the local Churches to provide integral development which is not pure and simple assistance but becomes a possibility for self-determination of the wellbeing of the individual Churches and the respective nations”.
The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples then said: “I believe the times of assistance, understood as simply giving, are over; now instead it is necessary to take with courage the path of giving individuals responsibility to enable them to bring about their own development, naturally with our help. And Africa has all the potential particularly with regard to people to manage itself and take its future in its own hands”.
The Rector of Sacro Cuore Catholic University Prof. Lorenzo Ornaghi said today there exists a consistent cultural challenge to “move on from old ways of thinking and obsolete methods of working for development” to new paths to provide new means for local Churches by preparing new “minds” with complete formation including specific technical know-how.
The fundamental idea behind this new Master’s Degree is social entrepreneurship said Prof. Mario Molteni, Director of the Alta Scuola di Impresa e Società (ALTIS). There will be no immediate results during the months of the Course, these will come later when the students return to their countries with a considerable baggage of cultural knowledge and management skills. The course’s study subjects are grouped in three areas: area of profit and non profit management, area of theology and morals (in collaboration with the Pontifical Urban University) political-juridical area Most of the lessons will include practical working experience on small projects. “The Course has two characteristics - according to Prof. Molteni -: orientation to action and opening to contributions from entrepreneurs and prominent figures in the world of economics and social activity who will share their experience”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2005; righe 32; parole 433)
