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

Theologizing Tourism: Towards a Pastoral Care of Tourism
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In places where the arrival of tourist is in abundance and there is
scarcity of priest and religious to look after their religious needs,
pastoral workers should be trained, so that they can look after
certain pastoral needs in their locality.
Priests who are working in tourism related areas should ensure
that the religious needs of the tourists are met. For this, appropriate
measures should be taken so that visitors can participate in the
Eucharistic celebration in their own language or with other
expressions of their culture, always with respect to the liturgical
dispositions in force.
Just as we have Catechetical Centre, Centre for Lay Apostolate,
Council for Social Justice and Peace at the Diocesan level, it would
have been ideal to establish a special Diocesan Centre for the
Pastoral Care of Tourism, that will co-ordinate and aid the pastoral
care of this sector.
In places frequented by tourists, the local parish community should
not only be involved in welcoming visitors, rather it should also
prepare its own faithful to practice tourism in a Christian way and
support those who act and work in tourism.
There is a need to form a group of laypersons to study and propose
pastoral actions to be undertaken in the field of tourism. The same
could also take the charge of co-coordinating various religious
services for the sake of tourist.
On account of employment opportunities provided by tourism
industry, many people who are employed in tourism industry are
not in a position even to fulfil their Sunday obligation because of
the workload and odd working hours especially during peak
season. Therefore, there is a great need to create specific services
for the sake of those working in tourism and hotel industry, according
to the working hours.
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