Father Von Bernhard Welzenes is the new secretary general of the European Forum of Christian Organisations for the pastoral animation of circus and funfair workers. He was elected yesterday, 24th January, at the end of the yearly meeting that took place (since 20th January) in Nice to coincide with the International Circus Festival of Monaco. Father Welzenes, Dutch, replaces mgr. Piergiorgio Saviola, elected last year at the helm of the Migrantes Foundation of Cei (the Italian Bishops Conference). The Forum, composed of the national directors of the circus pastoral, was set up to "promote, in the ecumenical sense, the pastoral, cultural and social animation of the circus and unfair workers of Europe and to instil in society the understanding and promotion of their identity in a climate of peaceful cohabitation, respectful of human rights". A celebration was held in an ecumenical spirit last Monday, as part of the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians, attended by delegates of the Christian confessions that are members of the Forum, approximately 3 thousand people as well as the artists of the Circus Festival. At present, the Forum, which brings together organisations from different Christian confessions, is present in 10 countries in the EU and USA.
