International Conference of the European Worker Priests, Barcelona

from Phil Aspinall of CHRISM:
The 2015 conference of the European Worker Priests will take place over the Pentecost weekend, 22–25 May 2015. This year our hosts will be the Catalans and the venue the Residence Martí Codolar in Barcelona http://www.marti-codolar.net 

As well as the usual intense and deep discussion on the theme, the weekend will include visits and several suggestions have been put forward by the Catalans, including: a Jesuit centre studying and supporting immigrants and refugees; a co-operative providing work and training people in the recycling industry; an initiative bringing together 32 organisations countering the problems of immigration; Religious working in the poor areas close to the centre of Barcelona; a guided tour of the church of the Sagrada Famiglia by Gaudi.

Based on the propositions made at the conclusion of last year’s conference in Turin, and after many email exchanges, we selected a theme based on a quotation from Pope Francis in The Joy of the Gospel:

It kills, this Economy
The economic system which now dominates creates destructive consequences in many areas of human life.  We would consider three aspects of them:
1.     These economics have created new types of relations in business and in society: Unemployment and Precariousness are key words.

• How are Worker Priests / MSEs affected by these changes?
• How can current and future Worker Priests / MSEs integrate themselves into the ranks of workers who are either without work, without fixed work (e.g. zero hours contracts) or working in unregulated places?

2.     Because of the principle of competition in the search for maximising profits, this economic system leads to confrontations between the dominant players: we see “Financial Wars”.   But sometimes the struggle for raw materials leads to real wars.

• How are Worker Priests / MSEs challenged by this?
• What forms of resistance can we apply?

 3.     What new forms of economies do we see coming into being? How can we contribute to them?

We are asked, as usual, to prepare a two-page paper with our responses to the questions. So even if you cannot attend, we would welcome any thoughts or comments you may have on this theme.  Please send these to me by 14th March 2015 - and please remember that we have to write the paper in French, so please keep contributions short and in simple English.

But we do hope you will want to come and join us!  It is always an opportunity to expand our horizons, meet old and new friends, and to be challenged. And, of course, to spend some time in Barcelona. Contact Phil.