Talk Show: Fraternal Bonds on Social Media
This Talk Show with the President General reveals how faith and charity should embrace new technologies, which have tangibly kept us united in tough times.
On 18th April, in a new spirit of dialogue, closeness and transparency, the President General (PGI) once again met with his fellow members in a live Q&A on OzanamTV, in a simple and direct way. This Talk Show was broadcast in the four SSVP’s official languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese), with the support of interpreters and the technical staff.
The Talk Show was a friendly discussion among fellow members about crucial issues and the current challenges faced by the SSVP.
Some of the key issues addressed were the following: the development of the spirituality within the Conferences, the progress made in Ozanam’s canonisation process, the essential role of youth, resilience amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of communication and formation on civil society and the right course of the SSVP for the future.
During the two-hour talk show with the PGI, it was highlighted the need to journey together along with the Vincentian Family and the Church, to rely on the values of our charism, and to foster empathy and resilience to overcome any hurdle, particularly in times of pandemic, thus weaving the network of charity, both towards our “lords and masters” and among our fellow members, so that no one is left behind.
The PGI also spoke about the importance of leadership within the SSVP, about the need to take on responsibilities and to love the Conferences, by generously volunteering our time and skills.
Other key issues addressed were the following: the new date set for the General Assembly which, due to Covid-19 restrictions, will be held a year later, in 2023; the good work undertaken by the SSVP at international institutions, such as the UN and UNESCO, as well as the involvement at the Vatican via the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life; the SSVP Safeguarding Protocol for Children and the Most Vulnerable; and importance of the SSVP’s twinning system, the Commission for International Aid and Development (CIAD) and the Fund for International Solidarity (FIS), at which point Renato Lima highlighted that befriending /collaboration is not just about money, but it is also about spiritual support.
Our PGI assured that the SSVP is a lifestyle in pursuit of holiness, following in the footsteps of the founders of Conferences, like so many others who were part of the institution and have been recognised by the Church as venerable, blessed, saints, servants of God, hence reinforcing the prayer-action binomial, which is the foundation of our charism. In other words, we cannot turn a blind eye on the suffering of our neighbor. We regard faith as a way to take action with justice and charity.
To conclude and with regard to the final step in Ozanam’s canonisation, Renato Lima kindly asked fellow members to join in the fast proposed by the CGI on the 23rd of each month, as a token of communion and support for this cause by all Vincentians around the world, looking forward to seeing Ozanam on the altar.
The next Talk Show will be held, God willing, on October 30th, 2021.
