At the closing of the annual general assembly, the Italian Methodist Church and the Valdo Church demanded that the Italian government use eight thousandths of the taxpayer’s tax money to aid Afghan refugees. Pastor Ferrario talked about the important contributions of Pope Francis and Benedict XVI in the journey of the Ecumenical Movement.
(Vatican News Network) The annual meeting of the Italian Methodist Church and the Valdo Church closed on August 25. Although the number of attendees was limited in order to comply with the epidemic restrictions, the pastors and representatives connected to the world, and the lives of believers and non-believers on issues related to Italy and the world. There were lively discussions, including the climate and environmental crisis, the new crown epidemic and vaccination, remote teaching, and the humanitarian emergency that is occurring in Afghanistan.
The Valdo Church and St. Ezid’s group have a long history of cooperation in humanitarian assistance. At the annual meeting, the participants now ask the Italian government to extend a helping hand to Afghan refugees and use eight-thousandths of the taxpayer’s tax payment for shelter work. . Pastor Fulvio Ferrario, a professor of systematic theology at the Valdo Church Theological Seminary in Rome, attended the meeting. He told this news website that it is not easy for people in politics to take this path of good deeds, because they are not popular, so the church This mission must be shouldered.
Pastor Ferrario believes that humanitarian assistance is also a symbol in addition to giving some people practical help. The Valdo Church can become a mark through humanitarian assistance actions to inspire affluent societies that are always procrastinating on immigration issues. Therefore, it is also necessary to send a signal to public opinion. “We know that public opinion has been frightened, and the church has played a positive role so far. It must be admitted that this trend of fear and resistance to populism is not only outside the church, but also within the church. This is why it is necessary to address our believers Evangelization”.
At the opening of this annual conference, Pope Francis sent a letter to greet the participants, wishing to nourish the relationship between the Christian churches with a vision of more “openness and understanding”. Pastor Ferrario believes that today’s relationship is “in a good phase.” He talked about the friendship between the Catholic Church and the Valdo Church over the years, such as the personal friendship between the chairman of the Episcopal Movement and Dialogue Committee of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the bishop of Pinerolo, and the personal friendship between Derio Olivero, the bishop of the diocese of Pinerolo, and many members of the Valdo Church. , And Pope Francis’ visit to the Valdo Church Basilica in Turin in 2015.
Pastor Ferrario also pointed out that although the Catholic Church and the Valdo Church still have differences in the views of the Eucharist, it is necessary to cherish the results that have been achieved so far and “farming on the land where results may be achieved.” He finally stated that the Ecumenical Movement can also be carried out through interpersonal relations, this is the style of Pope Francis, and this is “undoubtedly a kind of help”. He also paid tribute to the retired Pope Benedict XVI. Although he was an “adversary” from theological point of view, everything that both parties experienced was through “learning and living, despite the difficulties.”
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