VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2004 (VIS) - Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, opened the Sixth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Tourism yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Training Center. The Congress runs through July 8 on the theme "Tourism in the Service of the Encounter Among Peoples."
He thanked the hosts and organizers of this meeting, both civil and religious, and welcomed "brother Bishop promoters of the pastoral care of tourism, national directors, priests, men and women religious, and laypersons involved in the evangelization of this important phenomenon in contemporary society." He added that the Congress "had one clear intention: namely, to make known the Church's special concern for the countries that receive tourism, especially the developing countries."
Cardinal Hamao told the 110 participants from 35 countries that "tourism's contribution to the social and economic development of countries is unquestionable. The fact that tourism can and is contributing to greater understanding among peoples is, I dare say, obvious. However, the difficulties raised along the way and the errors committed are also evident. For this reason, tourism, as a part of all human reality, needs the Church's constant evangelizing action and God's healing grace."
Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the pontifical council, presented a report on the principal events that have marked the growth of pastoral care of tourism in the Church since the last Congress which was held in Ephesus, Turkey in 1998. In particular he underscored the five Messages that the Holy Father has written since 1998 for the annual World Day of Tourism as well as the "Orientations" published by the council in 2001.
The secretary then reflected on "the Eucharistic mystery, source and summit of every pastoral action." He underscored how tourism is a factor of encounters among peoples and that pastoral policies should be prepared to favor such meetings. He remarked on the need to include the pastoral ministry for tourism in academic centers and programs, and then underlined two areas the Congress would emphasize: social tourism and the fight against sexual exploitation in tourism.
The first day of meetings concluded with a visit by participants to the new shrine dedicated to Blessed Nicolas Bunkered, and to shows of local folklore and culture.
Speakers today included Francesco Frangialli, the secretary general of the World Tourism Organization,, who gave an analysis of the social and cultural dimensions of international tourism, Norberto Tonini, president of the International Office of Social Tourism, who spoke on tourism and its impact on development, and Fr. Jose da Silva Lima, a professor at the Portuguese Catholic University, who addressed the topic of tourism as a way of encounters among peoples.
DELSS/TOURISM CONGRESS/BANGKOK:HAMAO VIS 20040706 (460)
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