Vatican to host first international meeting of consecrated Gypsies

Published: 2007-04-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is planning to host the first international meeting of Gypsy priests, deacons and religious as a way to help support and promote vocations. Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, said the Sept. 23-24 meeting also would give consecrated Gypsies a chance to meet, network and reflect on their role in furthering the mission of the church. The meeting, to be held at the Vatican, will focus on the theme "With Christ at the Service of the Gypsy People." The approximately 100 consecrated Gypsies in the world are mostly in Eastern Europe, the archbishop told Catholic News Service April 2. The term Gypsies is often used to identify the various communities that refer to themselves as Roma, Sinti, Manouches, Kale, Gitans and Yeniches. The meeting is a follow-up to the council's 2006 document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Gypsies," which provides ideas and norms for ministry.

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