TURIN, Italy, NOV. 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Turin Archdiocese has resumed a series of meetings to help young people understand politics through discussion and leadership, following the example of Blessed Piergiorgio Frassati.
The project, aimed at establishing a school of politics «tailored to young people,» is an initiative of the Office of Social and Labor Pastoral Care, in collaboration with the diocesan Caritas and the Youth Office.
The Frassati Project is named after a young man who was able to wed his Christian values with his social and political commitment.
In the light of the activities of the School of Formation for Social and Political Commitment, set up in 1988, director Father Gianni Fornero emphasized the need to offer young people time for reflection, analysis, and dialogue on politics and active citizenship. Last November he began to school young people in this area. Father Fornero died last June.
The project will be resumed this year, under the guidance of Father Daniele Bortolussi, new director of the Office of Social and Labor Pastoral Care.
The same structure as the previous meetings is being followed. Four meetings will focus on principles of the social doctrine of the Church: the centrality of the person, the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity. The planned activities will allow the active participating of those attending.
The «main objective of the Frassati Project is to make participants understand that to be involved in politics is a daily attitude of inquiry, formation and participation rather than a formal commitment in parties or associations,» Father Bortolussi explained.
The School of Formation for Social and Political Commitment offers more occasions for growth and preparation in the sociopolitical realm, so that, at the end of the mini course, parish youth groups will be able to continue their formation on their own.
Piergiorgio Frassati (1901-1925), a member of Catholic Action and a native of Turin, was beatified in May 1990.
