Hope-builders ” “

The Moldovan Church is marked by strong social commitment expressed at all levels thanks to the efforts of the Regina Pacis Foundation, an actively engaged Catholic body. Efforts are made for the last, the outcast, the weaker brackets, those most gravely hit by egoism, by marginalization and exploitation. Minors in prison. Improving the quality of life inside the juvenile courts of Moldavia is an area in which the Moldovan Church is engaged through the Regina Pacis Foundation and thanks to cooperation with Renovabis. Efforts focus on the penitentiary of Goian, north of the capital Chisinau, where next week will be activated a joint cooperation project involving the directors of the German and Moldovan prisons. Cooperation envisages the improvement of services, notably the exchange of experiences, the transferral of new educational and re-educational models, the recovery of minors in prison, sexually abused and fiercely discriminated during their imprisonment. “We believe that the reception centres in Moldavia should be largely improved – said Ilie Zabica, director of the Regina Pacis Foundation, coordinator of the workshop with German and Moldavan experts -. There has been great attention on the part of Moldovan authorities, in the awareness that decisions impacting the future of young people who committed criminal offence should be postponed no longer”. “It’s important for the Catholic Church to step up her efforts in those structures in need of charity services and evangelical witness”. With reference to the recent CCEE meeting in Bratislava, titled “God and the State” the prelate said: “Witnessing the Church’s commitment in a juvenile court of the Moldovan State, in dire need of support, fills my heart with joy”. Sexual tourism. The Catholic Church voiced its concern over the fact that Moldova is considered of a site for sexual tourism, thereby exploiting the condition of extreme poverty and vulnerability of young women, including minors. “I cannot remain silent – denounced Msgr. Cosa – before the broadcasting of TV programmes” in several countries “where entrepreneurs in Moldova disrespectfully say that they consider women, including those working in their companies, an object of personal amusement. This causes great suffering in the hearts of those who love and serve the Moldovan population. And feel they must take a stand to express the thought of the Church”. “The history of Moldova, especially in its recent past, has been marked by the sacrifice of many Moldovan women, emigrated to Europe, who worked and continue working as caretakers for European families, enabling the country to grow with their remittances”, pointed out monsignor Cesare Lodeserto, vicar for Social Pastoral Care in the diocese of Chisinau. These pages have been written with sacrifices that cannot be erased by the squalid behaviour of ruthless people”. From projects to mission. In the meantime Mission Moldova association – “movement of people, values, ideas, programs and initiatives aimed at providing support to Moldova in its present stage of growth, alongside with local ecclesial realities” – was created in Trieste (Italy), on the initiative of archbishop Giampaolo Crepaldi. The purpose of the Association is to promote projects for children and old people, abused women and migrants, sick people and detainees. A training course for volunteers leaving for Eastern countries is already ongoing, with special focus on social orphans, sexually abused children and women victims of violence. “The time has come to pass from project to mission”, declared Monsignor Lodeserto. “Moldova is a Country subjected to constant transformations, where it’s important to ensure the continuation of the daily commitment of the Catholic Church, in need of constant support”. For Lodeserto “Mission Moldova is a sign of hope, that strips people’s loneliness and isolation and makes us feel ever more Church in Europe, following its journey across the paths of Eastern Europe”.