The 21st Caritas Internationalis general assembly started in Rome outside St Peter's Basilica in front of an "interactive collage of photos of migrants and refugees past and present, leaders and people associated with migration" (zenit.org) The reality of migrants and refugees has been very much present in the life and service of our Caritas confederation.
Paul and Barnabas recount experiences, not ideas. This is how the Church does discernment: not before a computer, but before the reality of persons. Persons before programs, with the humble look that is able to see in others the presence of God, who doesn’t dwell in the greatness of what we do, but in the littleness of the poor we encounter. If we don’t look at them directly, we end up always by looking at ourselves, and making of them instruments to affirm ourselves.I was "fully dressed as a bishop" and that is why on my way back home (not far from the basilica) I was stopped by a few people:
- Christopher, a Polish homeless man. He shared his story with me and how he is looking for a job but Rome is not the best place to do that. His skills would be better used outside town;
- a Peruvian woman who was carrying twins - Gretta and Zoe - asked me to pray for them and bless them;
- Carmelia, an Italian woman who was grateful that I prayed for the twins and offered me coffee;
- a couple from the Philippines who asked for a blessing
