Sotto il Monte (Fides Service) – Since the first members were recruited in 2001 some 666 young Italians have volunteered for civil service in diocesan Caritas structures all over Italy and beyond. A remarkable figure which is destined to grow since in its most recent notice for recruits Caritas said 910 positions needed to be filled. Civil service in their own country and abroad is increasingly popular among young Italians. The task of Caritas Italy’s “White Berets” boys and girls is to try to prevent situations of conflict by promoting dialogue and reconciliation, dialogue.
Already 49 White Berets are working in Honduras, Guatemala, Rwanda, Kenya, Mozambique, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina. The same number of young volunteers are abroad on diocesan Caritas “temporary missions”. This consistent commitment, which stems from the teaching of Pope John XXIII in his Pacem in terris encyclical, has given new impulse to young people to be peace-makers and builders of peace.
In view of this commitment a Meeting “Civil service – service of peace” has been organised jointly by Caritas Italy and the diocese of Bergamo, on 24 October at Sotto il Monte, birth place of Blessed John XXIII. It will be a day dedicated to young volunteers with testimony from some of the very first White Berets. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2003; lines: 18; words 244)