JPIC SVD –SSpS JOINT MEETING

Report by: Fr. Bumanglag, Elmer Agcaoili, SVD (PAULINO)
JPIC COORDINATOR


JPIC REPORT: SVD ITALIAN PROVINCE

JPIC animation of the entire SVD Province: work to seek justice, peace and the integrity of creation, giving special attention to the poorest of the poor, the marginalized and the aged. As an SVD Province, in line with its mission and vision. It exists an attention and a promotion of the dignity of the person and a help in difficult situations of the migrants and the refugees.

In Italy, we give particular attention, especially in the Diocese of Vicenza and partly starting also in the Diocese of Bolzano, to inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue with immigrants. In other houses of the SVD Province is also engage to a dialogue with faith seekers as we realize this collaboration and partnership together with the host diocese in the work of evangelization.

Pastoral ministry to migrants is intensified (mentioning some of the groups: Filipinos, Ghanians, Nigerians, and some Asians origin. In particular, they were accompanied by three confreres namely Fr. Paulino - a Filipino confrere, Fr. Stephen- a Ghanian confrere, and Fr. Sathya - an Indian confrere.

SVDs Paulino & Stephen do these migrant ministry together and in line with the pastoral program of the diocese they belong. Two confreres were Caritas volunteers namely Fr. Paulino and Fr. Sathya, both were involved also in the prison ministry and has begin an apostolate for the “gypsies - roma sinti – zingari - nomads people. It does exit also a collaboration with lay people as regards JPIC, an ONLUS VAROM, a lay organization to give support the Romanian mission in terms of humanitarian helps with their basic needs, and another thing was also considered another involvement of lay group with an influence of SVD Spirituality, named themselves as AMICI VERBITI, a lay group for the animation of mission needs and helps in solidarity forms. More importantly, JPIC of the Province in Italy works hand in hand also with “Commission JPIC of the CIMI : “Conferenza Istituti Missionari in Italia”.

In Moldova, we give particular attention to dialogue with faith seekers. It does exist also in our Parish Stauceni near the Capital of Chisinau, meals help for the scattered flocks of children and adults in need, medical assistance to the sick and aged people in their homes, also an offering of temporary lodging and food for those without houses.

In Romania, we give particular attention to dialogue with the poor, the marginalized and we are involved also especially to ecumenical dialogue with the members of the Orthodox Church. It does exist also for so many years now, initiatives for the poor and the needy together with Caritas di Iasi, a promotion and support of Anti Alcoholic Club and work for logopedia “logopedy” for those victim most, and a help for young mothers and a help after the school classes.



FAITH IN A MIGRANT WORLD
(Case of Faith Migrant Community: Pastoral Care of Filipinos in Italy)

Filipinos are generally very enthusiastic in living out their faith and the practice of their faith continues to be a significant part of their lives. Living their catholic faith for Filipinos is indeed a major source of personal strength in moments of adversity – and adversities do exist in the lives of Filipinos working away from family and homeland. My countrymen and women in Italy are no exceptions to this phenomenon that may be observed in all foreign lands where Filipinos work to see a better life and a better future. Pastoral efforts must be sensitively aware of this fact, and the tremendous potential to serve and to reach out to un-churched Filipinos and to those in need of assistance, spiritual or otherwise.

The relatively large number of Filipino emigrants may be seen positively as the export of all that is good and wonderful in the Filipino character. The strong of perseverance for the sake of loved ones, the strong family values, the respect for elders, the “tender loving care” for children and the elderly, the values of honesty, seriousness in work, cleanliness and personal hygiene, the community spirit in traditional celebrations of the family (such as weddings, baptisms, etc.) and the community (such as fiestas of patron saints in the home country) and yes, the strong religiosity –all these are positive traits shining out in the midst of the society of the host country which they have come to regard as their second home. In fact, the developed and highly-industrialized Western societies such as the Italian society seem to have lost somewhat these values due to the pervading spirit of materialism and the individualism that becomes strong in these so-called modern and affluent societies.

The phenomenon of migration brings with it a host of problems, difficulties and challenges. One of the most obvious and important may perhaps be the fact that many Filipino families are torn apart from each other, creating situations at home that are challenging. In Italy, many families have also been reunited, thanks to the favourable policy of the host country’s government; nonetheless, the fact of being uprooted and transplanted into another society substantially different from where they come from brings with it challenges.

The actual situation in Italy brings to mind some aspects that make it somewhat unique in comparison with other European societies and cultures wherein Filipinos workers and families find themselves. The long history of the Church in this country, its strong presence and the influence which Christian values continue to have in Italian society makes the Italian context quite different from other countries. Many of the values and aspects of the innate character of the Italian people are also shared by Filipinos. Families from the Philippines working and living in Italy are surrounded by the rich Christian heritage evident in Italian history and culture, something inconceivable for thousands of Filipino workers in the Arab countries of the Middle East. In the same way, as in other affluent societies, Italy is also experiencing falling demographics, a turbulent political life, the gradual erosion of cherished values, increasing attitudes of selfishness and materialism, and the worrisome tendency of “lay or secular democracies” to exclude faith in God and other spiritual values from ordinary life.

With regard, Filipinos living and working in Italy and seeking to live and practice their faith must be aware that in Italy, ecclesial structures are very well established and organized. Pastoral Chaplains and pastoral workers have to be constantly aware that they do not act in isolation in their wish to evangelize their fellow countrymen and women, and that in the Christian community, communion and solidarity, justice and peace should be among the top priorities. The pastoral care of Filipinos living in Italy is therefore two pronged from the very beginning: it seeks to integrate the Filipino communities into the local Church or diocese in whose territory they reside (necessarily a gradual and slow process); and to preserve their spiritual and cultural identity, their Filipino-Christian roots, which should be for the local Church an enrichment or a positive contribution of the immigrant community.

Fullness of faith-life for the Filipinos will be during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which for many communities is the Sunday Mass, celebrated probably in one of the Filpino languages, in a somewhat regular manner (every Sunday, every other Sunday, once a month, etc.). This is usually the activity related to faith life which is at the center of pastoral efforts and the first thing that must be established and stabilized, for which the presence of a priest speaking the language in which Mass is celebrated, truly necessary. Next would come the baptisms for children, the celebration of sacramental marriages, confessions, funerals (rarely) and other sacramentals, para-liturgies, devotions and traditional religious practices associated with certain moments of the liturgical year. These faith celebrations continue to be channels of divine grace and strength although at times tinged with some superstitions or misconceptions that pastoral care in the form of catechesis should seek to correct. These liturgical moments continue to be privileged moments of encounter and grace and pastoral workers must ever deepen their awareness of the great potentials for catechesis and evangelization inherent in these moments. These constitute the first priority of all pastoral activity for indeed the liturgy, especially the Eucharistic liturgy, is the font and summit of all Christian life. The Italian local Church thinks as such too, for the first form of assistance for immigrants is providing them space and time to celebrate the Holy Mass for themselves, in their native language if possible.

In Italy, ecclesial integration of immigrant communities is the pastoral approach for nurturing faith of these migrant people. With great challenges then, Filipinos at present try to concretize this project of faith life in them in the form of calling which may be seen into their life: A call to Community, A call to Hear the Word of God, A call to Faith and Hope, and A call to Mission.

JPIC REPORT

SVD ITALIAN PROVINCE
(Summary Scheme outline)

-Migrants Ministry :Migrants Commission of the Diocese
(Italy: Vicenza & Bolzano)

-Prison Ministry :Diocesan Caritas
(Italy: Vicenza) :Commissione Carcere

-Roma – Sinti – Zingari :Diocesan Caritas
(Italy: Vicenza) :Commissione Nomadi

-Dialogue with the Poorest
of the poor
°Humanitarian Helps :Caritas di Iasis
& Solidarity Forms
°Anti Alcohol Club
°Young Mothers
°Logopedy
(Romania) Lay Groups
ONLUS VAROM
AMICI VERBITI

-Dialogue with Faith seekers
°Medical Assistance
(sick and aged in their homes)
°Offering of lodging & food
(those without houses)
(Moldova) :Parish Stauceni–Capital of Chisinau


With JPIC in our Province, we are members of the CIMI “Conferenza Istituti Missionari in Italia”…which is also an associate member of the VIVAT. We work principally for the justice and peace. We are member supporting the campaign for the common good such as water, as a form of our concern for the integrity of creation. Many concerns of JPIC were being discussed and supported strengthening our networking and advocacy in all levels and in many for