Working Session - Input about the practical work in the "Dialogo"

Results of group work: Tuesday, 01 April, 2008

Questions:
1) What help has today’s talk and discussion offered me for my concrete ministry with migrants in Europe?

2) What could we as SSpS and SVD do together in this field of dialogue and how can we set up a European network?

Group 1

To question 1
1.1 It was waking me up: at home I come from a predominantly Muslim society but here it is not our problem. We had Hindu visitors. It is mind opening now to be aware of cultural, religious differences: the need for dialogue prevents conflicts and opens new ways through new insights. It also helps to face the closing in and old form of old communist times.
1.2 It was useful for my apostolate with migrants; it will help through me the diocesan priests in similar challenges. It is a complicated issue, made clearer by experts like Markus and Petrus. We have to take further steps to deal better with issue like fundamentalism, fanaticism and getting to know ourselves better.
1.3 Good to know more about the realities of Europe. It takes away fear of strangers and migrants. It gives increased confidence with people so far strange and possibly dangerous: through dialogue strangers can become friends and mutual respect is deepened.
1.4 What Muslims think about us, I did not know before. I know very little about the Koran.
The various Muslims of the various countries have their differences but at least they are religious contrary to secular people with no practiced religion.
1.5 People from Morocco are generally friendly but poor; they have a close relationship with family members. They come to the parish when invited and are ready for dialogue.
1.6 In Slovakia we hardly ever meet Muslims. But we take on the challenges as they come in ecumenical ways.
1.7 In Ireland, Muslims have a council of Imams of Muslims from 42 countries in order to create a better appearance for Islam.

To question 2
2.1 There is already an organized way between SSpS and SVD concerning how to deal with catastrophes in a combined way.
2.2 Europe seems complex but we have a study day for Muslims, Hindus and Christians – SSpS and SVD together. Sr. Melina is organizing it.
2.3 A SVD/SSpS network for migrant ministry of its own is not advisable because of feared expenses; if part of JPIC then okay!
2.4 Migrant ministry on sub Zonal level would be good; informing one another.
2.5 The Vatican extends greetings to Muslims each year at the end of the Ramadan. Perhaps we could take on this tradition for the Muslims in our neighbourhood.


Group 2
To question 1
- Presentation of statistics, reality of Islam in Europe has made me sensitive to it; that it is a reality that you cannot put side any more.
- The talk has caused or brought about some confusion/difficulty: to be or not to be involved directly; has made one realize that there is a need to read, study, make contact with Muslims, looking for opportunities to come in contact with them. There is a lot of information that you need time to sort out: what to do? What approach is needed?
- Have seen this as complicated; I know now something but there is more to it.
- Informal contacts, e.g. with Muslim women in the park – spontaneously talking with them, then getting invited to eat with them – this is a start!
- Openness to Muslim, especially women; speak with them, talk about their problems, like language etc.
- Providing space, protective space where they can be themselves.
- Renewed enthusiasm/awareness – that this is a chance, a challenge to grow in inter-religious dialogue; serious study, reading.
- To start from ourselves / from home – the way we treat each other will affect the way we treat migrants.
* Many personal experiences about contacts with Muslims, migrants were shared. This is dialogue of life!

To question 2
Austrian province: Two structures
A National Churches
- Filipino Church / Latin American Church
- African prisoners; illegal workers; in refugee or deportation camps.
Here SVD and SSpS can work together: SVD ministering to men, SSpS to women.
B Local networking/collaboration/more coordination
- strengthening local networks
European network
- Netherlands: networking with religious congregations and other organi-zations
- Exchange of information, experiences, ideas via email, internet, websites


Group 3
To question 1
Gaining more understanding of dialogue, but also becoming aware that it is complex and we can not simplify it.
Instead of thinking about dialogue be more busy with the struggle against racism which is presently causing conflicts in the country I am living and working with the migrants.
Inspired to go deeper into this field of dialogue, to avail myself for this ministry, take it more seriously. Discussions were also enriching.
It was encouraging to meet people who work towards the dialogue , because God comes to me in the person of a stranger: I can be open to share and receive.
Sceptical attitude, especially when seeing the expansion of Moslem coming from Turkey who are becoming majority – we cannot feel safe, but of course we have to do some dialogue.

To question 2
v SVD and SSpS need to get along well, first they have to be able to dialogue among themselves
v Possibility of joint community with migrant ministry
v A woman has an easier access to another woman and a man to another man – collaboration possible
v Identifying those who are working in this field and exchanging the information with them
v The practical support for the ones working on the grassroots level on the part of VIVAT is missing. It would be good to have an assistant which brings the concerns from the grassroots level to VIVAT and VIVAT practical help back to the worker on the grassroots level. Need for a clear identification as a member of an NGO (VIVAT) to have easier access to the offices.
v Suggestion to found an NGO similarly to Jesuit Refugee Services to get more tools (more financial support) from the government or other sources.