Pope Francis met with Roma peole during his official visit to Romania, BBC reported. The pontiff has apologised for the discrimination, saying that the indifference breeds prejudices and fosters anger and resentment.
Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by the Roma people welcomed at a ceremony in Blaj at which pontiff has beatified seven bishops who were jailed and tortured during Communist rule in Romania. On behalf of the Catholic Church, Pope asked forgiveness for all those times in history when Church has discriminated, mistreated or looked askance at Roma people.
Blaj meeting with the Roma came after a ceremony at which Pope beatified seven bishops who were jailed and tortured in 1948. The Communist authorities detained the clergy men for treason after they refused to convert to Orthodox Christianity. All seven bishops died in confinement and were buried in secret.
According to the Roma activists, hundreds of thousands of men and woman are thought to have been killed during the Holocaust as well.
The modern Roma remember their history but nowadays they complain they struggle to get work because of discrimination, and many live in poverty. Talking to the worshippers of Romania, Pope confessed that many times Church judged rashly, with words that sting, with attitudes that sow hatred and division.
“This is a historic moment for me and my people,” Damian Draghici, a Roma MEP for Romania, told. He also expressed a hope that his message will change people’s attitude and stereotypes against our people.
