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(ANS – Lyon) – 24 Social Communication Delegates from European Provinces have been meeting between 7 and 10 March at the “Centre Jean Bosco” at Lyon-Fourvière,  with two main items on the agenda: Formation for Social Communication and the Project for Europe.

The days were organised and led by Fr Filiberto Gonzalez, Councillor for Social Communication and members of the Department Fr Julian Fox and Fr Donato Lacedonio. A valuable contribution to the organisation was made by Fr Vincent Grodziski, Delegate for the France-South Belgium Province (FBS) and by the Salesians of the “Centre Jean Bosco”.

The meeting was introduced by a period of presentation and discussion on the work being undertaken in the various Provinces. What emerged was a great variety of the work in progress, but also the not inconsiderable difficulties encountered by the Delegates.

The present cultural context, characterised by the development of the means of communication, especially digital, and the recent Pontifical messages and appeals on the subjects of evangelisation and priestly formation formed the basis of the subsequent working sessions.

The Social Communication Delegates from Europe also made their contribution to the revision of the “Salesian Social Communication System” (SSCS) as had happened in the meetings organised by the Department in the other continents.

Special attention was given to: Formation for Social Communication and the Project for Europe.

There was agreement among those taking part that there needs to be a radical change of mentality regarding ongoing formation of Salesians, especially the priests, in this present year,  of lay people and the young in the field of Social Communication. The possession of or access to some of the modern forms of communication is not an immediate  solution to the problem of dialogue and meeting with today’s young people. As has been often said “digital culture” is bringing about swift and profound changes not al of them negative. Effective evangelisation and  education need  “a working knowledge” of the languages which are part of young people’s everyday lives.

“The Project for Europe” was the second item on the agenda. Presented and launched on 31 January 2009, “The Project for Europe” envisages Salesians engaged in re-launching Don Bosco’s charism in the old continent. The Delegates considered what contribution they could make to its wide spread distribution, understanding and implementation.

The meeting enabled those taking part to appreciate the great variety to be found in Europe, from globalisation to the specific characteristics of the different countries: in language, sensitivity experience. The meeting ended with some specific tasks being agreed on to give the topics discussed some form of practical application.

Published 11/03/2010