“The Year of Mercy is something real, it is not simply something where we say a prayer or attend a conference. We can answer the call of Pope Francis by generously launching concrete action plans, in favor of the poor and the suffering”: says Salesian Fr. Joe Mannath, to Agenzia Fides.
“The need is urgent, the possibilities are big, and we religious are in a better position than most people: our contribution can make a difference”, explains Fr. Mannath who is the National Secretary of the “Conference of Religious Indians” (CRI), which unites the congregations and religious orders in India. “This is why the Conference of Religious in India has proposed an action plan to all congregations which suggests over 40 practical commitments to carry out during the Jubilee and also to continue once the special Year of Mercy has finished,” he said.
“There are 40 action plans to choose from: we are already in the month of June and half a year has already gone by. This proposal can also be a good time to check what we are doing personally, as religious communities, as provinces and religious orders”, says the Salesian priest.
The proposed actions encourage works that can be done at a personal level, but also at a community level: promote gestures of forgiveness and reconciliation; donate blood or become organ donors; visit and take care of the sick, the elderly and prisoners on a regular basis; treat workers and employees engaged in religious houses with respect and justice; take care of street children and drug addicts; engage in the work of education, catechism and school help for poor families.
source:radiovaticana