Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On the 26th and 27th of November, the First International Meeting on the Pastoral Care of the Homeless on the theme: “In Christ and with the Church at the service of the homeless (clochard)” will be held in the offices of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Some 50 persons will be attending, representing 28 countries and 4 continents. This International Meeting comes as part of an on-going response of the Pontifical Council for the pastoral care of human mobility on the road and street
In a Statement to announce the meeting the Pontifical Council recalls that there are today over one billion homeless people in the world. These are either directly homeless or they are those who do not have adequate access to housing or shelter. It is estimated that in the world’s cities there are more than 100 million street children and millions who live in sprawling slum settlements. Every day some 50,000 people, mostly women and children, die as a result of poor shelter, polluted water and inadequate sanitation.
Today, the Church cannot fail to respond to this grave situation. Indeed, there are already many specific ecclesial interventions and collaborations with agents of the State in response to the various and changing needs of the homeless. In harmony with the recent ‘Guidelines for the Pastoral care of the Road (Street)’, it is the intention of the Meeting not only to explore the ecclesial response in answering the basic needs presented by homeless, but also to find new ways that promote the dignity and value of the person.
Interventions at the meeting will be include addresses by Cardinal Raffaele Martino, President of the Pontifical Council and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Council secretary. Prof. Mario Pollo, who teaches at the the LUMSA University and the Salesian University in Rome, will present the results of a recent Pontifical Council study on homeless people. The meeting will include panel discussion, group reflection and dialogue. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2007 - righe 24, parole 339)
