Posted March 18, 2008
United States – Stop the demand for trafficking in women and children
(New York) - The buying and selling of human persons, especially women and children for sexual exploitation is today’s most common form of slavery. This practice is driven by the demand of those who buy sex.
On March 13, UNANIMA International, (an ECOSOC accredited NGO that is a coalition of women religious orders) is launching a campaign to counter human trafficking through efforts to STOP THE DEMAND for the purchase of women and children – an approach that has yet to receive the same attention as that given to protecting and reintegrating victims who have already been trafficked.
Fr. Thomas Brennan SDB, official representative for the Salesians at the United Nations, has worked with UNANIMA preparing some of the materials for this campaign and brought a speaker to the United Nations to help in the launching of this most necessary campaign. Jeffrey Bradley, a therapist who has worked with both victims and perpetrators of sexual exploitation for over twenty years, will present his insights as a clinician and researcher to those attending this launch activity.
Fr. Brennan has been working with the UNANIMA team to include the male voice and perspective in working to stop the demand for coerced and aberrant sexual activity.
Azerbaijan – Visit of Cardinal Bertone
(Baku) – The church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in Baku, entrusted to the Salesians and consecrated on April 29, 2007 by Bishop Gugerotti, the Apostolic Nuncio for Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, gave a joyful welcome to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, during his visit to Azerbaijan.
On Friday, March 7, 2008, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and his wife, along with several members of the government, diplomats and representatives of the major religions in the country, visited the church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
After a welcome from bishop Ján Capla, President Aliyev spoke about the willingness of Azerbaijan to collaborate with all religions, and expressed his satisfaction with the presence of the Catholic community in the country. Cardinal Bertone responded by expressing his appreciation of the welcome he had received, and gave a brief outline of the history of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan. The President then showed his interest in plans for a pastoral center near the church.
On Saturday, March 8th, the Secretary of State changed his official programand took part in a gathering with young people in true Salesian style. Cardinal Bertone prayed the rosary with them and then engaged in a warm and open conversation. “For a Christian, prayer is important,” said the Cardinal to the young people. “Don’t forget about prayer.” One young person asked the Cardinal how he managed to live his Salesian life. He replied that his duty was to become a bearer of the Salesian spirit, a spirit of family, joy and kindness in the situation where he now found himself, even in his private meetings with the Pope.
On Sunday 9 March The Cardinal presided at Mass in the church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary on Sunday, March 9th. In his homily the Cardinal thanked the Salesians of Slovakia for their commitment to the people of in Azerbaijan. At the end of Mass, Cardinal Bertone met some of the older parishioners who remembered the previous church building that had been destroyed during the Stalin era, and a catechumen preparing to be baptized during the coming Easter celebrations.
India – Strong women create new perspectives for their families
(Pune) – Nisha, strong and confident, works in her beauty salon doing manicures, styling hair and doing facials in Pune, an Indian town with more than a million inhabitants.
“Finally I am able to work for my own living and to offer my children a good education”, Nisha says. But it was not always so. Married as a young girl, Nisha worked as a maid,and had to take care of her husband after a severe accident. Her life took a new direction after she became acquainted with the self-help groups founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco and now supported by Jugend Dritte Welt, an NGO affiliated with the Salesians. “Suddenly I wasn’t alone and found a new perspective for my life” says Nisha. After completing a cosmetics course, Nisha opened her own beauty salon. Today she is able to repay her microcredit loans that she owed to the support group.
“The story of Nisha is just one of many,” says Salesian Fr. Savio Silveira, S.D.B., coordinator of the program. More than 900 women participate in his microfinancing and skills training groups.
“The development of the Community is only possible when women take an active role in the process,” continues Fr. Silveira. “All the members of the family benefit from the income that the women earn every month. And after the women have been educated themselves, they begin to value education for their children much more.”
This type of initiative is hindered by many obstacles that are part of the culture. In spite of the fact that the Indian Constitution guarantees the equality of men and women, the reality is different. But with the positive results of this program, the people of Pune have come to better understand that women who defend their proper dignity and rights in every situation are contributing to the improvement of the tone of life of the whole community. “Supporting the project they have set out on the road of development and aid which will improve the status of women”, says Hans-Jurgen Dorrich, Director of Don Bosco Jugend Dritte Welt.
Belgium – Seminar on religion and the politics of young people in Europe
(Brussels) – The Salesian Brothers of Germany took part in a training seminar on religion and the politics of young people in the European Union that was held at the headquarters of the Don Bosco International (DBI) in Brussels from February 28 to March 2, 2008. Fr. Meinolf von Spee, DBI’s President, offered an overview of the process of European Integration after the Second World War until today’s Lisbon Treaty. And the Salesian Brothers were also given the opportunity to meet ith some of the officers in the European Parliament.
Jorge Cesar das Neves, in charge of the department responsible for dialog with religions, Churches and Communities of Conviction at the head of the European Commission, provided an overview of the outcomes for dialog in the new Lisbon treaty. This was followed by a stimulating discussion about the change of view on the contribution of Churches to the public life of Europe. Mrs. Karin Loplatta-Loibl, the General Director for Education and Culture, explained the vision and outcomes of European Youth Policy. This discussion was enriched by a lot of contributions due to a lot of the experiences
Fr. von Spee explained to the Salesians ways in which Don Bosco International was able to participate in European policy debates and in EU-programs for young people like Youth in Action or life-long-learning.
India - Let’s Make Creative Use of New Technologies
(Mumbai) - Catholic leaders and communicators need to make "creative use of the new discoveries and technologies to proclaim the Good News", said Archbishop of Bombay and Vice President of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias. "Christian leaders and communicators need to share Gospel values, so that they mould society for a fuller and harmonious life," he added. Cardinal Gracias was inaugurating a five-day workshop for Bishops, Shepherds of the Media Age, on March 3, 2008 at Don Bosco, Matunga in Mumbai.
Recalling the message of Pope John Paul II for World Communications Day, 1990, Cardinal Gracias declared, "It was for God`s faithful people to make creative use of the new discoveries and technologies for the benefit of humanity and the fulfilment of God`s plan for the world.... employing the full potential of the computer age to serve the human and transcendent vocation of every person."
Echoing the praise of the media by Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Gracias said, "There is no denying the contribution they can make to the diffusion of news, to knowledge of facts and to the dissemination of information: they have played a decisive part, for example, in the spread of literacy and in socialization, as well as the development of democracy and dialogue among peoples." "The Church cannot afford to stand aloof or try to isolate herself from the mainstream of these events," added Cardinal Gracias, and urged that that Christian leaders strive to understand and interpret modern progress in the light of faith.
"Media can and must contribute to making known the truth about humanity, and defending it against those who tend to deny or destroy it. One might even say that seeking and presenting the truth about humanity constitutes the highest vocation of social communication."
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI’s message for World Communications Day 2008, Cardinal Gracias cautioned, "The media must avoid becoming spokesmen for economic materialism and ethical relativism." Also, "communication should lead to communion of all people, which means the media should foster a culture of dialogue, both locally and globally," he added. He also urged lthe attendees "to tone up communication at various levels in the Church, and join the other initiatives for introductinge-governance in the Church and contribute our share to the emerging knowledge based Indian society."
India -- Sneha Bhavan Honored
 (Bangalore) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, presented a plaque of appreciation to Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan, Cochin in recognition of its committed service towards the care, protection, education and rehabilitation of young at risk for the last 33 years in Cochin. Fr. Mathew Thomas, the executive director of Don Bosco received the award .
Sneha Bhavan serves Young At Risk defined by them as street children picked up by the police and sent to Don Bosco for rehabilitation.
This institution is a collaborative effort between the Salesian Congregation and the Kochi corporation. Additionally local hotels and businesses offer jobs for the young men upon completion of the program.
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=1688
Croatia -- Church Cafe says 'pray up' instead of 'pay up'
(Warsaw ). A parish in Croatia has opened what is thought to be the world's first "prayer café" for young people, where food and drink can be purchased not with money but with prayers popular with Roman Catholics, such as the Our Father (Lord's Prayer) and the Hail Mary.
"It started as a bit of a joke. A lot of kids used to head for neighboring cafes after Mass , and we wanted to persuade them to hang out at the church instead," explained Fr. Damir Stojic, S.D.B. "When we put out everything for free, the youngsters would come to me, saying 'Father, how do we pay for this?' I used to say, 'Don't worry, just say a prayer.' Eventually, one of our student helpers went and printed up a menu."
The Jedno (Sail) cafe opened recently in a parish hall adjoining the Holy Spirit Church on Zagreb's Jarun Street, and it attracts many of the hundreds of students and young people who attend the regular Sunday youth service at the church.
Stojic is proud of the fact that the church has avoided incurring any costs from the cafe by encouraging parents to donate food and drink for the café.
Explaining the offering of refreshments after a church service, Stojic said, "The Acts of the Apostles [in the Bible] tell us the disciples used to come together for agape, a shared meal, after the Eucharist."Prices at Jedno vary from three "Our Fathers" for a standard coffee, to five "Hail Marys" and a "Glory Be" for a more expensive Coca-Cola, while a cappuccino ranks mid-way at four renditions of the Lord's Prayer. Other prayerful items on offer include fruit drinks, teas, hot chocolate and a range of tasty cakes, although student organizer Josip Kosutic said alcohol is off-limits.
"Of course, some students still prefer other cafes but those who come here have a comfortable space where they can feel at home without worrying about how to pay," said Stojic. "But don't get the wrong idea," he added, "The prayer tariffs are only symbolic. We don't hold anyone to them."
USA - From war to peace: education
(Baltimore) - On February 27, 2008 Mr. Joe Wiah, the Deputy Director of Don Bosco Homes, Liberia delivered a lecture at the University of Maryland entitled "From War to Peace: Education, Training and Family Reunion for Liberia`s War-Affected Children." Mr. Wiah is a Liberian social worker who specializes in child protection and youth development. He joined the staff of Don Bosco Homes in 2000 and has served as the Street Shelter Supervisor, Assistant Head of Child Protection Unit, DDRR (Disarmament) Coordinator, and Coordinator of the Skills Training Program.
On February 26th, Mr. Wiah gave a similar lecture to staff and students on the Master of Arts Program in Conflict Resolution at Georgetown University, and on March 7th, he will be speaking at George Mason University near Washington, D.C.. During the lecture tour, Mr. Wiah is assisted by John Monibah, the Media Officer of Don Bosco Homes. John is one of the twelve African Journalists sponsored for an eight month Humphrey Fellowship Program at the University of Maryland.
The Salesians have been present in Liberia since before the war began there, but by mid- August 1990, all the Salesians had left Monrovia and its environs because of the intense fighting. At Christmastime in 1990, Sean Devereux, who was later killed in Mogodishu by warring factions, wrote to Fr. Michael Winstanley, Salesian Provincial in the UK, "It may be wise to consider some new presence here. One possibility is working with the ever-increasing number of street kids. Now there are gangs of boys, homeless, that roam around Waterside, Freeport, etc. They are dangerously idle. We need to get an orphanage, a boys’ town, and a sleeping and eating hostel, off the ground. I think more than ever this is a call for Don Bosco`s work."
In March, 1991, Fr. Harry O’Brien and Bro. Donald MacDonald returned. They were met at the airfield by Sean who was in charge of the U.N. food distribution. In April, 1991, Bro. Joe Glackin and Fr. Michael O’Meara returned from the UK, and the seeds of the Don Bosco Homes, with its night shelters, courier service, etc, as well as the new Don Bosco Technical school, began to grow.
Cuba – Cardinal Bertone meets the Salesian Family
(Havana) – At the end of his official visit to Cuba, February 20th to 26th, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy Father, fulfilled his wish to meet with members of the Salesian Family present on the Island.
The meeting took place in the convent of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Peñalver, on the outskirts of Havana. Representatives of various groups of the Salesian Family were present: Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, ADMA, Salesian Cooperators, VDB, Past Pupils, representatives of youth councils from parishes entrusted to the Salesians, and friends of the Salesians.
Cardinal Bertone, who presided at a celebration of the Eucharist, invited those present to live their lives in Cuba with the heart of Don Bosco which leads to the building up of friendship with others. Young people from the various sectors of the Salesian Family played a large part in animating the liturgy.
At another meeting with Salesians and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Cardinal called on them to be ‘martyrs of patience’ in a society that presents so many difficulties.
The Cardinal’s visit to Cuba has been welcomed by the Catholic population as a gift of God to the local church. It was the Cardinal’s desire, in the course of his talks, to recall the messages given to the people by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cuba ten years ago.
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