The day was dedicated to the Psychosocial and Spiritual-Pastoral Approach to Disaster Management, led by Dr. Consuelo Santamaria, Professor in Master's programs at the Center for Humanization of Health in Spain, specialized in grief support and counseling.
She investigates the inner characteristics of spirituality, the Christian historical spirituality and meaning and the three levels of humility: accept everything not by submission but by love, delicacy, which is the finesse of love, and the madness of love that means loving without limits.
Investigating the Camillian spirituality - to accompany those who suffer, Dr Consuelo retraced the life of St. Camillus de Lellis with a focus on the suffering and feelings experienced on his path of conversion.
During the afternoon sessions we learned how to develop the inner attitude and work from the pastoral care in disasters perspective. We analysed in depth the issues related to the spirituality of disaster victims. Listening more than talking, embracing the spirituality of each individual in order to better attend to the needs not only of the material but also of the spirit.
The last part of the fourth day was dedicated to the sharing of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP) activities from the Philippines. Dr. Grace Molina shared the activities implemented in Cebu city with the grassroot communities. Also, she shared their future plans of reaching out more and organizing other communities.
Also from the Philippines, we heard the commitment of CTF Philippines to promote LSAP through Almar Roman, MI. Their main activity is assisting the population hit by natural disasters such as typhoons. Following the objectives of LSAP , CTF Philippines has implemented many programmes for the care of Creation involving the local population.
From Benin, Michel Coulibaly, MI, shared a video of the collaboration they are cultivating with rastafarian ethnic group from Benin that for years have moved to the US and now came back to their land in Africa. They are dedicated to agriculture and conservation of natural knowledge and the care for the creation, living respectfully and in harmony with the natural environment.
Then we moved to Indonesia with the testimony of Alfons Oles, MI, who presented the production of “Eco Enzyme” fertilizer, developed by a Thai organic farmer. It is a result of fermentation of organic materials easy to make. He explained how to make and use it, a truly versatile mixture that is easy and inexpensive to make.
Kriengkrai Sukjit, MI, and Rocco Sriprasert, MI, from CADIS Thailand, presented the activities implemented during the year in collaboration with other Dioceses and communities: advocate for change, share awareness. They regularly organize meetings and actions of sustainability.
Burkina Faso is also committed to the Laudato Si’, as Pascal Bakorba, MI, showed. A camp was organized to show to students and young people, CADIS Burkina Faso activities. Their activities concentrated in the assistance of sick people affected by viral diseases, and the assistance to people affected by natural disasters.
Finally CADIS Tanzania, represented by Goodluck Pandula, MI, has recently obtained the official registration of the organization in the country, even if they were already active for years. Their activities concentrate on resilience and emergency response. One of the last interventions was to support the population affected by the flood in Rufiji.
