Reversing the trend

“The family relation generates openness, reciprocal support and mutual aid”, says Father FABIAN MARIUT , priest of the diocese of Bucharest, where he fills the role of head of the office for family pastoral care. He’s also a careful observer of the social reality of his country, just a few months after it joined the European Union. “Of 22 million citizens it is calculated that almost three million have emigrated abroad. We trust that now with the benefits deriving from entry into the EU the country’s economic situation will improve, so as to reverse the trend and see our compatriots returning to Romania”. What problems have caused the emigration of so many Romanians since the 1990s, i.e. since the fall of the Communist regime? “The emigration of so many young people, and large numbers of women, has impoverished Romania. People left because, when Romania re-won its freedom, there was no economic revival, no protection of human rights, no response to the basic needs of daily life. But, by quitting the country, people left behind them their families, their friends, their affections. Of course I’m worried by the situation of our families, especially in some rural area that have been depopulated. In many cases only the children have remained, entrusted to an aunt or to the grandparents. But we all know that dividing a family creates suffering, abandonment, the loss of fundamental points of reference and moral values. And faith too feels its consequences… Our commitment as diocesan pastoral service for the family is now directed at many fronts, yet the fact is there’s an immediate need for economic provisions, services, and social development. The public institutions must ask themselves how they can protect citizens and act to create jobs, protect health and foster welfare”. Does not the economic situation create the risk of social disadvantage? “I would say that having a secure and adequate income is fundamental, even if we know that current levels of income in Romania are very low. And yet it is not always those who are the poorest in material terms who are the most socially disadvantaged. Other factors, loneliness, or the lack of a mother or father at home because they have emigrated to seek work in another country, are often a source of distress. A family has a need for love, solidarity, and the sharing of moral and spiritual principles. We are much preoccupied with these aspects of social deprivation at the ecclesial level”. What actions have you taken in the dioceses in favour of families? “Some years ago we ran some pastoral projects and are now beginning to achieve some good results. The fact is that the Church, during the period of the dictatorship, was more intent on worship and the liturgy, since she was debarred from working at the social and public level. But now the Catholic Church especially – which comprises some two million faithful of both Latin and Greek-Catholic rites – has realized a whole series of structures for children, services for the elderly, Caritas projects, Catholic schools, youth clubs, and courses of professional training. Of course it’s difficult to interpret and follow the transformations taking place in Romania. That’s why for example the auxiliary bishop of Bucharest, Cornel Damian, decided two years ago to visit the 70 parishes of the diocese, and promote a day for the family in each. So far he has met 45 communities, some in Bucharest, others outside the city. The day for the family comprises mass, catechesis, and direct discussion of difficult cases. These meetings also serve to create small groups of laypeople who can support a more organic pastoral programme for families”. Any other fields of commitment? “We have various kinds of them: they range from those more properly religious, though they too place the family firmly at the centre (rosary in homes, eucharistic adoration for parents and children, pilgrimages, and the recent meeting with the Pope at Valencia), to others of social character. Some services are created by individual parishes: advice centres; youth clubs for prayer, sport and teaching a trade; and various kindergartens and old people’s homes. And then we run higher institutes and the faculty that trains social workers, located in Bucharest, next to the cathedral: it arose from collaboration with the state university and the curriculum also includes social doctrine”. What about pilot projects? “I think it is worth citing at least the activities of the parish of Campulunc, where the parish priest has joined with Caritas in bringing together orphan girls and offering them a home and a chance to work in the agricultural sector or in a textile-weaving workshop. Then there’s the Concordia Centre at Arice?ti, a hostel for street children, where they are also given a basic education. These are positive and generous examples of the Church’s service, which would have a need for greater support by the State”.