Diocesan meeting on April 21st in Loppiano, as a step towards the 50th event of the Social Week of Catholics in Italy, which will take place in Trieste (July 3-7, 2024) with the theme entitled “At the Heart of Democracy.”
“Catholics – immediately emphasized Professor Stefano Zamagni – have left the political dimension to engage in social and cultural matters. These are extremely important areas, but they do not replace politics, which alone has the purpose of realizing the common good.” The renowned economist expressed such a judgment during his presentation, held at the stage of the Diocese of Fiesole as a reflective preparation towards the 50th event of the Social Week of Catholics in Italy, which will take place in Trieste from July 3rd to 7th. He had been entrusted with the theme “At the Heart of Democracy”, which constitutes the very title of the Trieste event, and the hundred or so participants, present at the Loppiano Auditorium last April 21st, were not disappointed.
Zamagni quoted the French theologian De Lubac (“The Christian who does not care about politics is not faithful to the Gospel”) and does not fear the current crisis of democracy. “Every crisis is a sign of vitality and evolution. So it is for democracy as well, in whose progress Catholics must participate as bearers of a vision of the individual and society.” He therefore outlined three principles on which to base action towards politics and in politics: “Universalism, which is the opposite of sovereignty. Truth, to be preserved not only from fake news, but also from false truths deliberately circulated. Finally, freedom, threatened by individualism, based on the slogan ‘I am what I want to be’.” And he commented: “The failure to respect these principles is increasing inequalities systematically and endemically.”
The economist was echoed by Bishop Manetti. “In this particularly troubled time, the participation of Catholics in public life is even more important.” There are some positive signs. “It seems that times are ripe for a new participation, as evidenced by the synodal journey of the entire people of God towards a new presence in the Church and in society.” For the bishop, Catholics can offer a contribution in light of personal and community experience, which possesses three qualities: “A habit of listening, which restores the full value of the individual. A disposition to service, to promote the common good. Love for the least, the marginalized, as a great asset that we have to bring to every participatory body.”
Certainly, the Social Week event can be an important point of arrival and restart. Professor Sebastiano Nerozzi, a lecturer in the History of Economic Thought at the Catholic University of Milan, who participated via video conference and serves as the secretary of the Scientific Committee and organizer of the Social Week in Trieste, is convinced of this. “A journey of involvement and reflection is underway,” he explained, “because there is a need to regain a greater sense of responsibility as Catholics in civil and public life.” “Participation is growing in local areas, and the Social Week can become an accelerator of participation.” He invited everyone to Trieste and suggested revisiting Pope Francis’s encyclical “Fratelli Tutti.”
Professor Daniela Ropelato, a lecturer in Political Science at the Sophia University Institute, provided an effective analysis: “Participation is one of the main dimensions of democracy. It is one of the most important indicators of the quality of our democracies, to the point that a true paradigm shift is emerging.” She then proposed an exercise of participation to the attendees, dividing them into small groups to discuss the timing, areas, and methodologies of participation at the local level. “Significant insights and expressions of the richness of the various territories of the diocese emerged, worthy of note, to be included in the collection of contributions for Trieste,” commented the professor.
Finally, the three young adult delegates from the diocese in Trieste introduced themselves. Laura Di Francesco, Daniele Valoriani e Lorenzo Dallai thanked everyone for the quality of the content, “which will constitute a contribution to be delivered with ecclesial responsibility,” and they scheduled to report on their experience of the Trieste Week after the summer.