From hope to hope: Cardinal Evaristo Arns

Former IYCW and Brazilian JOC chaplain, Dom Reginaldo Andrietta, recalls the support of the late Cardinal Evaristo Arns for the movement.


The death of Cardinal Dom. Evaristo Arns, Archbishop Emeritus of São Paulo, revived the historical memory of five decades of the relationship between Church and society in Brazil, helping us to rethink this relationship today. Much of his episcopal ministry was exercised in the context of the long military dictatorship, set up in 1964. Would we now be facing similar challenges? Certainly, because working-class militants, especially young people, express a renewed cry for support of their struggles for a new democratization.

In addition to being an icon of the pastoral development of the Church in the post-Second Vatican Council, Dom Paulo became one of the protagonists of the Church's engagement in the struggle for the redemocratization of Brazil and Latin America: it stimulated Liberation Theology; Favored the development of Basic Ecclesial Communities and Social Pastoralists, from realities of poverty; Encouraged social, union and democratic political movements; Bravely faced the repressive regime; Fought against torture; And persistently defended human rights in an ecumenical spirit.

I am a witness to his encouragement to the militancy of the workers, especially young people, when he opened the 3rd National Congress of Young Workers at PUC in São Paulo in 1983, he said in his charming tone: "Your enthusiasm is The guarantee that Brazil will find the path of justice and fraternity. " He wanted the Catholic Worker Youth (JOC), the organizer of this Congress, strongly suppressed by the dictatorship, to continue rebuilding and acting with ecclesial support.

For this reason, Dom Paulo referred in that Congress to "a document that the JOC promulgated in times of freedom in 1963, when it could still meet", which says: "The promotion of workers is, for the Christian, an inevitable fact . This is because it is wanted by God, and the will of God is creative. The misery of our people is not wanted by God, for it is a blasphemy against the love of God, in a world that dares to call itself Christian "; And said: "That's how our comrades spoke in 1963 and soon their voices were silenced by repression. Today, you take up the great journey and a great responsibility, and we want to be with you. "

These encouraging words of Dom Paulo resonate today in the hearts of many militants who continue the historic task of forming and organizing new working class militants. This same encouragement was given by Pope Francis in a letter addressed to the International Christian Worker Youth on the occasion of his 14th World Council held in Germany this year. Present at the opening Mass of this Council, I emphasized the current importance of this working class youth organization and its challenges throughout the world, and I said: "Let us take these challenges as a call from God!"

Working-class militants, especially Christian-inspired young people, are clamoring for renewed support for their just action initiatives, as dictatorial styles of government resurgent in democracy. Let us take the initiative to show, like Dom Paulo, that these militants who are fighting for a permanent and progressive democratization are not alone. Let us take up this commitment with deep trust in God, inspired by the testimony of Dom Paul and his episcopal motto "Ex Spe in Spem", that is, "From Hope in Hope".

Don Reginaldo Andrietta
Diocesan Bishop of Jales, SP

SOURCE:

Dom Reginaldo Andrietta, De esperança em esperança (CNBB)

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IYCW Colloquy promotes inter-generational solidarity

Jean-Marie Dumortier, Fabrice Epis, Marlyse Strasser and Arlindo de Oliveira animate a session at the IYCW Colloquy

Current and former leaders of the YCW movement gathered in Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany, over the 24-26 September weekend for the IYCW International Colloquy, with the aim of developing cooperation between the various generations of leaders.

Participants shared their experience of developing networks of former YCW leaders in the various continents, notably in Latin America. CCI treasurer, Stefan Gigacz, also presented the Cardijn Community model.

IYCW president, Ludovicus Mardiyono, and treasurer, Andy Predicala, also shared their reflections on the needs and challenges faced by the movement today.

Marlyse Strasser, Fabrice Epis and Jacques Hanon presented the work of the International Cardijn Association (formerly known as the International Cardijn Foundation), particularly the gathering of more than 200 personal testimonies by former YCW leaders.

A series of presentations from current YCW leaders as well as several experts also highlighted a number of challenges facing the world today.

World Social Forum co-founder Chico Whitaker shared his experience and vision of building networks and developing new methodologies, while former Philippines YCW leader, Daisy Arago, and former Belgian KAJ leader, Luc Cortebeeck, both highlighted the challenges in the world of work.

A concluding session identified extension, training and financial support as several of the key areas in which collaboration between former and current YCW leaders could be developed.

Finally, all participants took part in an opening mass at St Jacob's Church, Aachen,

Former IYCW chaplain, Bishop Reginaldo Andrietta, Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville of Liège, Belgium, and Emeritus Bishop Heinrich Mussinghoff celebrated the opening mass with a number of YCW chaplains.

This was followed by a public demonstration and march that ended at Aachen railway station.

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Pope Francis' special blessing for the IYCW World Council

Pope Francis has asked former IYCW chaplain, Dom Reginaldo Andrietta, who is now the bishop of Jales in Brazil, to communicate a special blessing to the IYCW World Council which will begin in Aachen, Germany this weekend.

"I told (Pope Francis) about my responsibility as a diocesan bishop as the reference bishop for pastoral work for the CNBB (Catholic Bishops Conference of Brazil), which includes support for the Young Christian Worker (YCW/JOC) movement, as well as the World Council of the IYCW, which will take place in Germany from 26 September until the 8 October 2016," Dom Reginaldo wrote in a Facebook post.

"The pope also communicated to me a special blessing for the IYCW Council where I will be present, and has also sent a letter via the Vatican Secretariat of State expressing its pleasure at this world meeting as well as its encouragement to all participants and their mission in the YCW."

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