Economic Solidarity amongst the Economic Solidarity amongst the ASC MembersASC Members

A way towards AutonomyA way towards AutonomybybyMaurizio Leonardi, WCB AdministratorMaurizio Leonardi, WCB Administrator

Who is Maurizio??Who is Maurizio??

SolidaritySolidarity

What does it mean to me?What does it mean to me?

What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

The Old TestamentThe Old Testament• God’s love God’s love Israel’s freedom from slavery Israel’s freedom from slavery• Solidarity Solidarity Acceptance of the “poor” Acceptance of the “poor”• Reproducing God’s way of actingReproducing God’s way of acting• AmosAmos: when money replaces God it’s easy to : when money replaces God it’s easy to

lose sight of the poor, meaning of justice…lose sight of the poor, meaning of justice…• Greek’s wisdom reflection of what’s poorGreek’s wisdom reflection of what’s poor

What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

The New TestamentThe New Testament• Palestine’s 3 classes:Palestine’s 3 classes:

– Rich… landowners, big businessmen, religious workersRich… landowners, big businessmen, religious workers– Poor… slaves, labourer, wage earnersPoor… slaves, labourer, wage earners– Middle… small businessmen, tradesmenMiddle… small businessmen, tradesmen

• Jesus chooses to live poorlyJesus chooses to live poorly• Wisdom perspective: materials goods are passingWisdom perspective: materials goods are passing

What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

The New TestamentThe New Testament• Gospel: use earthly goods as a sign of gratuitous Gospel: use earthly goods as a sign of gratuitous

love, an instrument of sharing and solidaritylove, an instrument of sharing and solidarity• Jesus recognizes children of God…Jesus recognizes children of God…

““each time you do these things to one of each time you do these things to one of the least of my brethren you do it to me”the least of my brethren you do it to me”

Mt 25:40Mt 25:40

What is the present situation?What is the present situation?

• Subsistence economy gives way to market economy… Subsistence economy gives way to market economy… regulated by principle of profitregulated by principle of profit

• Separation of capital holder and managerSeparation of capital holder and manager• Money is not for acquiring goods but for acquiring more Money is not for acquiring goods but for acquiring more

moneymoney• Needs are artificial, feed a vicious circleNeeds are artificial, feed a vicious circle

““we don’t try to foresee what the market will require in a 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 year’s time but to act so that the market asks what is

convenient for the entrepreneurs to produce…”convenient for the entrepreneurs to produce…”

What is the present situation?What is the present situation?

Gandhi’s tomb of 7 social sins…Gandhi’s tomb of 7 social sins…1.1. Politics without principlesPolitics without principles2.2. Riches without workRiches without work3.3. Pleasure without consciencePleasure without conscience4.4. Wisdom without characterWisdom without character5.5. Business without moralityBusiness without morality6.6. Science without humanityScience without humanity7.7. Worship without sacrificeWorship without sacrifice

What does Don Bosco say?What does Don Bosco say?

• RAL/Art.21: Economic SolidarityRAL/Art.21: Economic Solidarity• AdministrativeAdministrative autonomy autonomy• Don Bosco opted for “free contributions” but… reminded Don Bosco opted for “free contributions” but… reminded

the Cooperators about the gestures of solidarity of the the Cooperators about the gestures of solidarity of the early Christians of Jerusalemearly Christians of Jerusalem

• Well defined purposeWell defined purpose• The “vast Salesian commitment” continues to grow, the The “vast Salesian commitment” continues to grow, the

generosity of Cooperators must also continue to grow!generosity of Cooperators must also continue to grow!

InterviewInterview

How do you collect money?How do you collect money?How do you spend the money?How do you spend the money?

Adoration in BethlehemAdoration in Bethlehem

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Do the Councils, individual Cooperators know the Do the Councils, individual Cooperators know the documents of Economic Solidarity? And do they strive documents of Economic Solidarity? And do they strive to live up to their message, by using the document as to live up to their message, by using the document as instrument of animation and of sanctification?instrument of animation and of sanctification?

2.2. Is there Administrator (Treasurer) in the Councils at Is there Administrator (Treasurer) in the Councils at every level?every level?

3.3. Following the apostolic and associative suggestions, Following the apostolic and associative suggestions, do the Councils draw up budgets and plans to do the Councils draw up budgets and plans to accomplish mutual help (solidarity) and for the other accomplish mutual help (solidarity) and for the other financial projects? financial projects?

QuestionsQuestions

4.4. Are the Cooperators (local, provincial) made aware of Are the Cooperators (local, provincial) made aware of these financial plans?these financial plans?

5.5. Is the identity of Cooperator shown by our sober lifestyle, Is the identity of Cooperator shown by our sober lifestyle, trust in providence and our sharing/solidarity towards the trust in providence and our sharing/solidarity towards the Association?Association?

6.6. How do we make use of the material goods that we How do we make use of the material goods that we possess for our own holiness and the holiness of the whole possess for our own holiness and the holiness of the whole Association?Association?

7.7. What is the wisdom and prophetic dimension of our What is the wisdom and prophetic dimension of our relationship with the money that we possess, as individuals relationship with the money that we possess, as individuals and as an Association?and as an Association?

QuestionsQuestions

8.8. How can we use material goods as useful How can we use material goods as useful means and not as goals in themselves? (show means and not as goals in themselves? (show concrete decisions and purposes for the next concrete decisions and purposes for the next 12 months)12 months)

9.9. As a Cooperator, in the various environment of As a Cooperator, in the various environment of our personal life and of our responsibilities, our personal life and of our responsibilities, how can we behave in order to keep away how can we behave in order to keep away from falling into some of the “7 Social Sins”?from falling into some of the “7 Social Sins”?