- Feb 5, 2002
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Luca Casarini, a longtime and well-known Italian activist, is a special guest at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops; he’s encouraged to speak, but has no vote. And he said he is learning a lot.
Joining the synod briefing for journalists Oct. 11, Casarini was asked about his past — his arrest for involvement in the violent protests during the G8 Summit in Genoa, Italy, in 2001 and the Italian government’s current investigation of him for promoting illegal immigration by rescuing migrants at sea.
“I can respond by saying that in the Gospels, Jesus welcomes publicans and prostitutes. He goes in search of sinners,” Casarini said. He was found not guilty of the 2001 charges, he added, and does not believe it is a crime to rescue people at risk of drowning.
Migration figured prominently in the preparation for the synod, and it was a key issue in the assembly’s speeches and group discussions Oct. 10-11, officials said. Other topics included the tension between welcoming LGBTQ people and affirming Church teaching, promoting Christian unity, valuing the Eastern Catholic churches, responding to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, ensuring women are not treated like “second-class” citizens in the Church and a host of other issues connected to promoting communion in the Church and unity in the world.
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, told reporters he felt no “polarization” in the synod discussions, although clearly members had different opinions on many of the topics covered.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Joining the synod briefing for journalists Oct. 11, Casarini was asked about his past — his arrest for involvement in the violent protests during the G8 Summit in Genoa, Italy, in 2001 and the Italian government’s current investigation of him for promoting illegal immigration by rescuing migrants at sea.
“I can respond by saying that in the Gospels, Jesus welcomes publicans and prostitutes. He goes in search of sinners,” Casarini said. He was found not guilty of the 2001 charges, he added, and does not believe it is a crime to rescue people at risk of drowning.
Migration figured prominently in the preparation for the synod, and it was a key issue in the assembly’s speeches and group discussions Oct. 10-11, officials said. Other topics included the tension between welcoming LGBTQ people and affirming Church teaching, promoting Christian unity, valuing the Eastern Catholic churches, responding to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, ensuring women are not treated like “second-class” citizens in the Church and a host of other issues connected to promoting communion in the Church and unity in the world.
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, told reporters he felt no “polarization” in the synod discussions, although clearly members had different opinions on many of the topics covered.
Seeing people as brothers and sisters
Continued below.
Controversial Italian activist addresses synod
Luca Casarini, a longtime and well-known Italian activist, is a special guest at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops; he's encouraged to speak, but has no vote. And he said he is learning a lot. Migration was a key issue in the assembly’s speeches and group discussions Oct. 10-11, officials...
www.oursundayvisitor.com
