Romanies in Czech Church and Society
The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethern has traditionally expected the Diaconia, the benevolence arm of the church, to provide assistance to the needy. A major project of the Diaconia is to help the Roma (also known as gypsies) become more integrated into the general society. The Premsyl Pitter Centre in Rokycany invites Romany children to join their activities. They are gradually overcoming the worries parents often have when the children are mixed together in programs and activities. The Romany children are easily converted to Christianity but quickly drop away because the Gospel isn't presented in their own cultural understandings.
There is also a difference of perspective between the "mainstream" Czech Christians and the Romanies themselves. At a seminar held during the Fifth Romany Christian Conference, Ru ena Cerna, leader of the Czech Ecumenical Coucil of Churches Commission for Work with Romanies observed, "The Romanies did not talk about their dire social situation, nor did they complain that they were discriminated against, but simply prayed together, prayed for a blessing on each other and on the Czech nation. They prayed for Romany preachers, and for the strength to pass on what they had come to believe in, to win over other members of their family, and to lead them to a new life."
Dialogue with the Czechs, as they struggle to bring together majority Czech Christians and minority Romany Christians, could help us all learn more about peaceful ways to live together in an increasingly diverse cultural world. I am hoping our Presbytery of Scioto Valley Mission Tour can talk together about this work when we visit Prague in May.
The summary of the Roma concerns are gleaned from the recent issue of the Czech Mission Network News. A complete copy can be ordered from the Middle East and Europe Office of the Presbyterian Church USA.
Submitted by Reverend Beverly Schmidt, HR and Tour Leader