(Photo J.-M.F.)
Father Pedro Opeka in Monaco.
France ! Belgium ! Monaco! A 5,000 km journey undertaken by Father Pedro Opeka which ended in the Principality in order to raise funds to feed 25,000 people, create 3,000 jobs, educate and send 17,300 children to school. A whole community that lives in the Andralatra landfill, in Tananarive, in the island state of Madagascar. But it is necessary to sustain, educate, instruct, cover… this small world. So, the priest of Saint-Vincent de Paul, for fifty years, has engaged in a particular mode of being with others.
« I did not come to hold out the begging bowl »
“I met some three thousand people in order to spread the message of our brothers in the southern hemisphere. Because they have no purchasing power. I did not come to hold out the begging bowl. Just invite to share in order to financially support the needs of my flock. With us, we find everything to live and develop the local economy. But what to do without money? This is the only way to help the poor, to support thousands of families who join our association Akamasoa, good friends in Malagasy. »
The constancy of such a character led him to play on generosity in order to convert it into a factor that pacifies inter-individual relations. The method has flourished in the Principality for more than twenty-five years. Especially with « Prince Albert II, one of my most loyal donors », and the association « Help to Father Pedro Opeka », created by Nadia Jahlan, which organizes a charity event every year. The « Prophet of the slums », however, remains discreet about the sums collected. Just like the president of the APPO. Because Monaco is defined as a deeply Catholic land, faithful to the laws of generosity and self-sacrifice, touched in its heart at the slightest need or disaster. However, we do not like to ostentatiously publicize any charitable work. Perhaps out of benevolence… A feeling dear to Father Pedro. » To share ? We can always do more. However, donors must be reassured that their aid is going to the poorest. Every year, a report is published on our website perepedro-akamasoa.net. Otherwise, I preach love, fraternity, justice, distribution for these children brought into the world, the poorest on our Earth. It is a human heritage for which we are responsible in order to offer them a better future. Admittedly, to manage this community, I am surrounded by six hundred Malagasys volunteers. We succeeded in building a real city for these destitute people. Let us take advantage of our passage on this Earth to do good. Make happy what surrounds us. »
« The value of man lies in his capacity to give and not in his capacity to receive », said Einstein. But there is one exception: Father Pedro, whose value lies as much in collecting as in giving.
Father Pedro will leave the Principality on Monday to find his Malagasy protégés with enough funds to provide them with food and lodging for several months.
ARTICLE from Monaco-Matin / 2 Jul 2022 by JEAN-MARIE FIORUCCI
