(ANS – Roma) – The second day of the “SDB Change Congress,” yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 20, was an intense day of interventions and appointments, which began with the greeting of Card. João Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. In his address, the cardinal also reviewed the Church’s magisterium in relation to the tasks and roles of the religious administrator/economer, which he then summarized in three phrases: finalizing every resource to the mission; accounting for choices, acts and results; and ensuring that assets are also protected civilly and that canonical and civil norms are respected.
Subsequently, in the first session of the day, entitled, “From pragmatic action to strategic thinking,” speakers included Antonello Vedovato, Salesian Cooperator and Founder of “EDULIFE Fundation,” Juan Pablo Salgado Guerrero Universidad Politécnica Salesiana de Quito Ecuador, Fr. Maximus C. Okoro, SDB, Provincial Economer of the Africa Niger Niger Province (ANN), and Angel Gudiña, Head of Corporate Finance and Institutional Relations in “Misiones Salesianas,” the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.
The focus of the talk: restoring the true meaning of economics within the Salesian community as management of the common house and not as a mere scientific department. Each speaker then discussed the economy each from his or her own perspective: missionary, global vision, management of the common good, and pedagogical.
After the community lunch, Fr. Renato Tarcisio de M. Rocha, SDB, from the Salesian University of Rome, through his talk, explained the Economy of Pope Francis to the audience. The session was completed with the presentation of the association “Don Bosco Network” and its objectives.
The talk that opened the afternoon session, titled: “Energy of the Future,” curated by Emanuela Chiang, Referent for Integral Ecology Youth Ministry Sector, focused on the theme of integral ecology, presenting the document “Don Bosco’s Salesians, on the way to a sustainable world in the light of Integral Ecology.” The floor was then passed to Sara Edmonson, Director in Europe and the United Kingdom of “Fortescue Future Industries“. She illustrated the importance of renewable energy production, a great innovation for the youth of the future. Afterward, Daniel Ormeno, Director of Innovative Projects in Agriculture of “Net4Grow,” expounded on the main objective of the projects, which is to initiate a method for the exchange of data through the network of Salesian Agricultural Schools around the world, with vocational training courses and with the possibility of practical work experience at companies active in the sector. A great challenge under the sign of training, innovation, and cultural exchanges following the teachings of Don Bosco and always in favor of the future of young people.
The last presentation was by Fr. Andrea Bozzolo, Rector Magnificus of the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS). He presented the “Green” project with which the University is committed to greatly reducing its ecological footprint.
The day was then completed with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General of the Causes of the Saints of the Salesian Family, at the Catacombs of St. Callistus, and a community moment.
To view the day’s presentations and speeches or to watch live coverage of the entire event, follow the “SDB Change Congress” Facebook page.
Fuente: ANS – “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana”