Claiming the Right to Say No-30 Nov 09-EQUATIONS - Equitable ...

Claiming the Right to Say No
environmental impact and to safeguard the priorities of the local community,
even at the cost of limiting tourist activity if necessary to the spiritual good
of the tourist.
The Pastoral care of tourism must set up and encourage, cooperation
with the public administrations and with the professional organizations
and associations working in tourism so that the Christian vision of tourism
can be spread and develop “the implicit possibility of a new humanism”.
“He will feed His flock like a shepherd,
He will gather the lambs in his arms,
And carry them in his bosom and gently lead the mother sheep”, says,
Prophet Isaiah (Is. 40:11).
In order that these words of prophet Isaiah come true the following
recommendations for the pastoral care of tourism will be of great help.
i) There is a great need to keep track of the arrival of tourists in our
state and study their religious needs. This will surely help in the
growth and maturity of their faith even during their vocation.
ii)
iii)
iv)
Today’s seminarians are future priests, and they are the ones
who have to face the greater challenges with respect to the pastoral
care of the tourists. Keeping this in mind seminaries and formation
houses need to make some provisions geared towards the pastoral
care of tourism in their academic syllabus.
Tour guides or escorts should be properly trained especially those
accompanying tourist to the places of religious significance. They
should be so trained that they not only explain the significance of
the religious place but also inform them about the religious services.
Ecclesial authorities should also keep in touch with the Government
bodies and NGOs working towards balanced and healthy tourism
activities. Care should be taken that while providing best possible
services to the tourist, the primary need of our community are not
hampered.
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