The event was also attended by the Vice-President of VIS, Fr Luca Barone, SDB – newly appointed President of the non-profit organisation ‘Missioni Don Bosco’ in Turin – and the President, Dr Michela Vallarino, who, after Fr Barone’s introductory greetings, presented the structure of VIS in its 40 years of service to the Salesian missions around the world and to Salesian Italy.
The overview of VIS was completed by the Director General, Dr Chiara Lombardi, and Dr Riccardo Giannotta, from the Programmes Office.
The General Councillor for the Missions then took the floor, immediately introducing himself as a ‘street priest’. He recounted that he was originally from Patagonia and had been a missionary in West Africa for a long time, in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
Fr Crisafulli also outlined the priorities and objectives defined by the General Council for the next six years, among which he highlighted the focus on young people in vulnerable situations. His experience as a missionary and his Salesian passion made the presentation rich in practical examples.
The last part of the intense morning was an exchange of additions, questions, answers, and feedback. The concluding prayer and blessing in Twi, a language typical of certain areas of Ghana, by Fr Crisafulli was a prelude to a time of sharing, fraternity, Salesian joy, and agape among all those present.
Ultimately, the meeting provided an opportunity to initiate further processes of synergy and collaboration between VIS and the Congregation, already closely linked in many countries, with the aim of increasingly networking throughout the world.
And in view of the structural changes to the VIS organisation – which at the end of last year changed from an Association to a Participatory Foundation in order to strengthen its relationship with the Salesian Congregation and increase the stability of the organisation – Fr Crisafulli’s visit represented an important step towards building strong and effective relationships and relations, aimed at improving service to the Salesian mission at a central and global level.
