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Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

GYPSIES: PASTORAL ACTION IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR CULTURE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2006 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office,
Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, respectively
president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Itinerant Peoples presented the document: "Guidelines for the
Pastoral Care of Gypsies."

The text of the document is the result of a broad-ranging study to which
pastoral workers, experts and gypsies themselves have all contributed. The
document's six chapters are divided into two sections: the first presents an
overall view of the Church and gypsies, while the second concentrates on
specific questions.

Cardinal Hamao explained how the origins of a specific form of pastoral care
for gypsies date back to the first half of the 20th century "through the
individual initiatives of some zealous priests in France, Germany, Italy and
Spain. The Holy See recognized it as a special mission in 1965, after the first
historic international pilgrimage of gypsies to Rome, by creating the
International Secretariat for the Apostolate of Nomads," which was later
integrated into the Pontifical Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migration
and Tourism, created by Paul VI in 1970.

"Though the document refers to gypsies, whose number in Europe alone is about
15 million," the cardinal continued, "it is equally valid for other nomads, who
share similar conditions of life in the various continents. In any case,
nomadism is not the only characteristic of the gypsy people. ... It is their
ethnicity, their culture and age-old traditions that we should take into
account. Therefore the local Churches, in countries where they live, should
find pastoral inspiration in these Guidelines, ... adapting them to the
circumstances, needs and requirements of each group."

The president of the pontifical council went on to note certain "positive signs
of evolution" among gypsies, such as "a growing desire to attain literacy and
professional formation, social and political awareness expressed by forming
associations and parties, increasing participation in local and national
management in some countries, and the presence of women in social and civic
life." He also recalled the enthusiastic participation of gypsies at "the
beatification of the Spanish martyr Ceferino Jimenez Malla, the first gypsy to
be raised to the honor of the altar."

Although the nomadic quality of gypsy life in some way reflects the condition
of all mankind - "homo viator" - gypsies' right to identity often comes up
against the "indifference or opposition" of many people, who "share habitual
prejudices towards them. Signs of rejection persist, often without eliciting
any reaction or protest from those who witness them."

The cardinal added: "All this has caused untold suffering in the course of
history, as we know. Their persecution reached its height especially during the
past century. ... Obviously the Church too should recognize their right to have
their own identity, and stir consciences in order to achieve greater justice
for them."

Returning to the subject of nomadism, Cardinal Hamao noted how this form of
life "has given rise to an identity with its own languages, and a culture and
religiosity with its own traditions, and a strong sense of belonging. ... Their
way of life is essentially a living witness to inner freedom from the bonds of
consumerism and of the false security based on people's presumed
self-sufficiency."

"These Guidelines," he concluded, "are a sign that the Church has a particular
concern for gypsies, meaning that they are the receiver of a special pastoral
action in appreciation of their culture. ... In fact, everyone should be
welcomed in the Church, where there is no place for marginalization and
exclusion."

For his part, Archbishop Marchetto concentrated on pastoral activity, firstly
noting that "the peculiar nature of gypsy culture makes evangelization merely
'from the outside' ineffective." All the same, "a genuine incarnation of the
Gospel - called inculturation - cannot indiscriminately legitimize every aspect
of their culture."

He continued: "Indeed, the universal history of evangelization affirms that the
spread of the Christian message has always been accompanied by a process of
purification of cultures. ... However, purification does not mean emptying, but
some amount of integration with the surrounding culture will be necessary: it
is an intercultural process. Reconciliation and communion between gypsies and
non-gypsies, therefore, include legitimate interaction between cultures."

The archbishop praised the "strong sense of family which is seen among
gypsies," but warned that this "should not degenerate, for instance, into
perennial resentment between families and clans." He also recalled the need
among gypsies for equal rights between men and women and stressed the fact that
"honesty at work is a civic and Christian virtue, which cannot be disregarded."
He also lamented the fact that "audiovisual or printed information rarely makes
the general public aware of the positive aspects of gypsy culture, and most
often deals with negative ones, which further damage their image."

"Of course, gypsies are a special minority because they have no country of
origin to give them the support they might need and this means the lack of
political guarantees and some degree of civil protection. In fact while the
arrival of other people seeking refuge and of 'boat people' enables
mobilization of a given number of people and governments, that of gypsies
usually brings about rejection, even if they come from very poor countries, and
are sometimes forced to flee due to religious, racial or political
persecution."

Archbishop Marchetto pointed out that this situation can only be overcome with
a common and comprehensive global policy, and that "it is vitally important
that international organizations take an interest in gypsies."

On the subject of the evangelization of gypsies, he said it "is a mission of
the whole Church, because no Christian should remain indifferent to a situation
of marginalization with respect to ecclesial communion. ... Moreover, in the
catechesis, it is important to include dialogue that allows gypsies to express
how they perceive and experience their relationship with God. Therefore, it is
necessary to assess the convenience of translating the Bible, the various
liturgical texts and prayer books, into the languages used by the different
ethnic groups."

The secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Migrant Peoples
concluded by highlighting the danger of the proselytism of religious sects
among gypsies and indicating how "new ecclesial movements could play a special
role in this specific pastoral care. With their strong sense of community and
openness, and the availability and special warm-heartedness of their members."

The complete document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Gypsies," will soon
be available for consultation on the web page of the Pontifical Council for
Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, at the following address:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/s_index_nomads/
rc_pc_migrants_sectionnomads.htm
CON-SM/PASTORAL GYPSIES/HAMAO:MARCHETTO VIS 060228 (1120)

SUMMARY

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