杏MAP导航 to Christian Associations of Italian Workers: 'Be a voice of peace'

杏MAP导航

Meeting with members of the ACLI 杏MAP导航 Francis encourages them to continue to cultivate and practice the Christian values of social solidarity and peace that inspired their founders.

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Saturday met with the Christian Associations of Italian Workers (ACLI) as they celebrate the 80th anniversary of their foundation in 1944.

Commitment to making a difference in society

Addressing some 6,000 members of the organization in the Paul VI Hall, the 杏MAP导航 warmly commended their decades-long commitment to solidarity in the service of workers, pensioners, young people, migrants and all the people in need, but also of the cause of peace.

鈥淭he ACLI ," he noted , "are a place where it is possible to meet the 鈥榮aints of next door鈥�, who don鈥檛 hit the frontpages but sometimes actually make a difference for the better.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 then focused his reflection on five distinctive features of their 鈥渟tyle鈥� of work . The first is their 鈥減opular鈥� style, that is 鈥渘ot only being close to the people鈥�, but also 鈥渇eeling part of the people.鈥�

A popular style

鈥淎 popular style implies recognizing that great social projects and lasting transformations arise from below, from shared commitment and collective dreams鈥�, he said. 鈥淏ut the true essence of the people lies in solidarity and a sense of belonging鈥�, which, the 杏MAP导航 remarked remarked, is so much needed today 鈥渋n our fragmented society and individualistic culture.鈥�

鈥淚n the context of a fragmented society and an individualistic culture, we have a great need for places where people can experience this creative and dynamic sense of belonging, which helps to move from I to we, to jointly develop projects for the common good and to find ways and ways to achieve them.鈥�

Working together with people from different backgrounds

The second feature 杏MAP导航 Francis mentioned is the ACLI鈥檚 the synodal style. Working together with people from different backgrounds collaborating for the common good is 鈥渇undamental鈥�, he remarked, encouraging the ACLI to continue this path with a special attention to the weakest in society, so that 鈥渘o one is left behind.鈥�

Commitment to the values of democracy and peace

The 杏MAP导航 then recalled that loyalty to the principles of democracy and the protection and promotion of human rights is another distinctive feature of the ACLI. The 杏MAP导航 noted that for a society to be truly democratic, everyone should have a place. This is why, he noted, the support they provide to those who risk marginalization - young people, women, vulnerable workers and migrants and elderly and pensioners is so important.

杏MAP导航 Francis also praised the ACLI for their active commitment to the cause of peace: 鈥淚n a world marked by conflicts and divisions,鈥� he said, 鈥測our testimony as peacemakers, as intercessors for peace, is more necessary and precious than ever.鈥�

鈥淚nterceding for peace is something that goes far beyond simple political compromise, because it requires getting involved and taking a risk.鈥�

Adopting a Christian style

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the Christian inspiration of the ACLI which permeates their commitment to serving workers, peace and to promoting the dignity of all people.

鈥淎dopting a Christian style means growing in familiarity with the Lord and in the spirit of the Gospel, so that it can permeate everything we do and our action has the style of Christ and makes Him present in the world鈥�

In the face of 鈥渃ultural visions that risk cancelling the beauty of human dignity and tearing society apart鈥�, concluding 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the Christian Associations to continue their service to the community and 鈥渢o cultivate a new dream of fraternity and social friendship.鈥�

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