GENOA, Italy, JUNE 4, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Archdiocese of Genoa is preparing prayer and fasting activities to ensure that the voice of the poor will be heard at the upcoming G-8 summit.
Some anti-globalization groups have threatened to lead stormy protests when representatives of the seven major industrialized nations and Russia meet here from July 18-21.
The archdiocese isn´t waiting for the worst to happen. Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi hopes to turn the occasion into an opportunity to relaunch the proposals of Christian social doctrine.
To do so, the archdiocese is organizing a number of religious activities, with the help of diocesan forces, Vatican leaders and ecclesial movements.
For over a month, Genoa also has organized high-level conferences to reflect on Christian humanism and the economy in the context of globalization. Attendees have included Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, the new secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
Cardinal Tettamanzi also has invited a range of groups to participate, from Italian Workers´ Catholic Action to Christian Rebirth.
On Sunday a congress entitled “Toward a United World Through Globalization in Solidarity” presented the “Genoa Document” with proposals inspired by an “economy of communion” [see related story in today´s Dispatch].
Prominent Italian economists such as Antonio Fazio, governor of the Central Bank, attended the event, which was promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
To further help the summit, the archdiocese is also promoting “solidarity fasts,” prayer meetings and eucharistic adoration, to be held at selected parishes, a monastery, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Protection, patroness of Genoa.
The Association of Catholic Jurists of Genoa is preparing a document on international law and globalization, which will be presented at the summit.
