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.
_________________________
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