Economic Solidarity amongst the ASC Members A way towards Autonomy by Maurizio Leonardi, WCB Administrator
Who is Maurizio? ?
Solidarity What does it mean to me?
What does the Bible say? The Old Testament • God’s love Israel’s freedom from slavery • Solidarity Acceptance of the “poor” • Reproducing God’s way of acting • Amos: when money replaces God it’s easy to lose sight of the poor, meaning of justice… • Greek’s wisdom reflection of what’s
What does the Bible say? The New Testament • Palestine’s 3 classes: – Rich… landowners, big businessmen, religious workers – Poor… slaves, labourer, wage earners – Middle… small businessmen, tradesmen • Jesus chooses to live poorly • Wisdom perspective: materials goods are passing
What does the Bible say? The New Testament • Gospel: use earthly goods as a sign of gratuitous love, an instrument of sharing and solidarity • Jesus recognizes children of God… “each time you do these things to one of the least of my brethren you do it to me” Mt 25: 40
What is the present situation? • Subsistence economy gives way to market economy… regulated by principle of profit • Separation of capital holder and manager • Money is not for acquiring goods but for acquiring more money • Needs are artificial, feed a vicious circle “we don’t try to foresee what the market will require in a year’s time but to act so that the market asks what is convenient for the entrepreneurs to produce…”
What is the present situation? Gandhi’s tomb of 7 social sins… 1. Politics without principles 2. Riches without work 3. Pleasure without conscience 4. Wisdom without character 5. Business without morality 6. Science without humanity 7. Worship without sacrifice
What does Don Bosco say? • • • RAL/Art. 21: Economic Solidarity Administrative autonomy Don Bosco opted for “free contributions” but… reminded the Cooperators about the gestures of solidarity of the early Christians of Jerusalem • Well defined purpose • The “vast Salesian commitment” continues to grow, the generosity of Cooperators must also continue to grow!
Interview How do you collect money? How do you spend the money?
Adoration in Bethlehem
Questions 1. Do the Councils, individual Cooperators know the documents of Economic Solidarity? And do they strive to live up to their message, by using the document as instrument of animation and of sanctification? 2. Is there Administrator (Treasurer) in the Councils at every level? 3. Following the apostolic and associative suggestions, do the Councils draw up budgets and plans to accomplish mutual help (solidarity) and for the other financial
Questions 4. Are the Cooperators (local, provincial) made aware of these financial plans? 5. Is the identity of Cooperator shown by our sober lifestyle, trust in providence and our sharing/solidarity towards the Association? 6. How do we make use of the material goods that we possess for our own holiness and the holiness of the whole Association? 7. What is the wisdom and prophetic dimension of our relationship with the money that we possess, as individuals and as an Association?
Questions 8. How can we use material goods as useful means and not as goals in themselves? (show concrete decisions and purposes for the next 12 months) 9. As a Cooperator, in the various environment of our personal life and of our responsibilities, how can we behave in order to keep away from falling into some of the “ 7 Social
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