For the Salesians of Slovakia, the mission among the Roma is inextricably linked to the name of Fr Peter Bešenyei, who dedicated his entire pastoral life to the Gypsies. His rich missionary experience at home is shared in his first collection, entitled "The Gypsy Silence" and in his second volume, published last year, entitled "Let's kill the racist in ourselves".
In his essays, Fr Peter deals honestly, openly and boldly with issues such as racism, prejudice, segregation, telling them from both sides, that is, from the point of view of the majority of the Slovak people and the Roma-Gypsy minority. As an experienced pastor, educator and missionary, Fr Peter offers concrete advice to different groups of people: medical staff, teachers, priests, etc. His advice is always inspired by the Gospel.
Fr Peter is currently a member of the Salesian community in Košice and works as director of the Roma-Gypsy Pastoral Center and as secretary of the Slovak Episcopal Conference for the Roma-Gypsy ministry. He is also provincial delegate for the Roma-Gypsy ministry of the SDB "Mary Help of Christians" Province of Slovakia (SLK).
Among the 600 Roma settlements in Slovakia, the Salesian contribution is certainly a drop in the ocean, but it undoubtedly offers a prophetic sign not only to the entire Catholic community, but also to all of society.
Source: AustraLasia
