austraLasia 1463
Don Bosco in Pakistan: Education of the heart makes the difference
VIENNA: 25th February 2006 -- On this Feast (for the first time) of Sts. Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario it is appropriate to reproduce here a very recent missionary reflection on a difficult situation. Fr Peter Zago has just completed a visit to Bonn and Vienna in view of the Salesian response to the North West Frontier earthquake in Pakistan. When he read in austraLasia #1462 of Salesian work in another and in fact the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia, he was prompted to share the recent thoughts of the three Salesians working in Pakistan, the second largest Muslim country in the world. In view of the difficult times resulting from violent emotional reaction to cartoons which have shown a lack of respect to Muslims, the three Salesians offer the following four points by way of reflection:
1. Our presence in Pakistan is not easy, since we belong to a minority often marginalised. And yet we Salesians, rich in Don Bosco's spirit of family and love for the young and the poor, and guided by the preventive system based on reason, religion and kindness, find ourselves appreciated if not loved by the many youth who happen to meet us, be they Christians or Muslims. We are able to touch their humanity in caring for their needs, but especially in loving them as they are.
2. During our relief programme for earthquake victims, still continuing, we realise not only that we Christians are generally welcomed by the Muslims we help but are also admired by the military and civil authorities for the dedication and spirit of sacrifice our young Christian students are showing in relief work on a voluntary basis.
3. It is our conviction, proven by the seven years of experience of our presence in Quetta and Lahore, that when we approach the Christian and Muslim youth with love, respect and concern for their human needs as Christ teaches us ("I was hungry...I was thirsty..."), and accompany them in their human growth with Don Bosco's system of loving-kindness, there is no doubt that we have a chance to build lasting bridges of dialogue and peace.
4. "Education of the heart makes the difference"! It helps people to shake off the burden of poverty and ignorance and helps to eliminate misunderstanding between different religions by promoting dialogue.
_________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
Don Bosco in Pakistan: Education of the heart makes the difference
VIENNA: 25th February 2006 -- On this Feast (for the first time) of Sts. Louis Versiglia and Callistus Caravario it is appropriate to reproduce here a very recent missionary reflection on a difficult situation. Fr Peter Zago has just completed a visit to Bonn and Vienna in view of the Salesian response to the North West Frontier earthquake in Pakistan. When he read in austraLasia #1462 of Salesian work in another and in fact the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia, he was prompted to share the recent thoughts of the three Salesians working in Pakistan, the second largest Muslim country in the world. In view of the difficult times resulting from violent emotional reaction to cartoons which have shown a lack of respect to Muslims, the three Salesians offer the following four points by way of reflection:
1. Our presence in Pakistan is not easy, since we belong to a minority often marginalised. And yet we Salesians, rich in Don Bosco's spirit of family and love for the young and the poor, and guided by the preventive system based on reason, religion and kindness, find ourselves appreciated if not loved by the many youth who happen to meet us, be they Christians or Muslims. We are able to touch their humanity in caring for their needs, but especially in loving them as they are.
2. During our relief programme for earthquake victims, still continuing, we realise not only that we Christians are generally welcomed by the Muslims we help but are also admired by the military and civil authorities for the dedication and spirit of sacrifice our young Christian students are showing in relief work on a voluntary basis.
3. It is our conviction, proven by the seven years of experience of our presence in Quetta and Lahore, that when we approach the Christian and Muslim youth with love, respect and concern for their human needs as Christ teaches us ("I was hungry...I was thirsty..."), and accompany them in their human growth with Don Bosco's system of loving-kindness, there is no doubt that we have a chance to build lasting bridges of dialogue and peace.
4. "Education of the heart makes the difference"! It helps people to shake off the burden of poverty and ignorance and helps to eliminate misunderstanding between different religions by promoting dialogue.
_________________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
