"The responsibility is common and shared: it is a matter of rebuilding the fabric of human relationships, of welcoming and placing the person at the center of our communities, as the Good Samaritan did on the road to Jericho. The challenge is to avoid the risk of dehumanization by emphasizing the values that protect our humanity and bring us closer to God's plan for each of us, that of the happiness of fraternity in the one human family".
This is a passage from the Message of Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, to the participants of the annual assembly of Comité Catholique International des Tsiganes (CCIT), which took place in St. Ottilien, Germany, from 22 to 24 April. In his text, Card. Czerny pointed out that the theme chosen for the meeting, "Mutual Hospitality", while tensions are rising in Europe due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, "is a declaration of war against war, a real challenge: not only for the Roma communities, but for every nation and society".
The meeting, which took place after a two-year break due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, covered the following topics: the human and spiritual promotion of the Roma and their commitment to living the Gospel; raising the awareness of the Churches and Christian communities for the effective recognition and inclusion of the Roma; seeking effective cooperation with members of other Churches.
Here is the full text of the Message.
Here is the text in French