By Amanda Walker, US Correspondent
When it comes to Villa 1114 in Buenos Aires - the local advice to tourists is simply "don't go".
"Villas" are the city's slums - ghettoized neighbourhoods ridden with crime, poverty and drug abuse.
And Villa 1114 is one of the most notorious. Its 50,000 residents have little hope of escaping to a better life.
The Catholic church plays a big role by offering some light in an otherwise bleak world. The only safe way in is to be escorted by a priest.
As we enter, children and dogs rifle through rubbish strewn across pavements. Unemployment is high here - few stand a chance of getting work.
If potential employers know your address, residents say there's no chance - living in a Villa is a stigma. For many, drugs are the only way out of a depressing existence.
When Father Gustav Carrara wanted to set up the Hogar de Cristo drug rehabilitation centre he turned to a friend for help.
The leader of the Catholic Church was known for kissing the feet of addicts Within 10 days he was granted a spacious building on the fringes of the Villa to use as a base. It's now a lifeline for those who otherwise feel forgotten and ignored. That friend who made it happen is now Pope Francis.
A year ago when he was Cardinal Bergoglio, he came to the shelter, in an area where few dare to tread, to hold Mass.
He washed and kissed the feet of recovering drug users. It's a ritual he's performed regularly for those in need across Buenos Aires.
He also baptised their children - including Catriel Tisiano, who is now two.
Pope Francis baptised children in the slum on his last visit His mother Celia Dias said: "He blessed him - he opened up and brightened up son's life. The fact that he came here to wash the feet of someone like me shows humility. It felt like he was one of us. There aren't many people who would do that."
From someone so high up in the church it was a rare act but those who know him well say it's typical of Bergoglio.
Softly spoken Father Gustav Carrara, who runs the project, said: "In some places this might be unusual but we became used to the Cardinal doing these things - we came to see them as natural."
The recovering addicts finish lunch and then form a circle for their group therapy session.The big problem drug here is known as "paco" - a cocaine residue that's cheap and highly addictive.
These are some of the city's most vulnerable people, but despite Bergoglio's powerful new position they still relate to him as a friend.
The Pope speaks to villa residents last year It's not just about curbing drug addition. Upstairs is a training centre where skills, such as woodwork and sewing are learnt with a view to rebuilding lives.
Arturo Lopez is in his fifties and it's obvious how much pride he takes in passing on his carpentry skills to young people at the centre.
Throughout this place there's a pervading and genuine admiration for the man who is now Pope Francis.
Arturo said: "I've known him for many years. He's had a big impact here and has given us the opportunity to help all these youngsters."
Bergoglio's appointment as pope may not change the fact that these people still face a tough future. But having a powerful new global voice to vouch for Catriel and others like him certainly offers some hope.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Pope Francis: Fond Memories In The Slums
Dengan url
http://mukenyerate.blogspot.com/2013/03/pope-francis-fond-memories-in-slums.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Pope Francis: Fond Memories In The Slums
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Pope Francis: Fond Memories In The Slums
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar