Rubén Frassia: "With the Pope, we talk about violence in Argentina, we are worried"

ROME.- "We must all be responsible and we must make an effort to look and work for the common good". This is one of the advice that the Pope gave to the second group of bishops of the Buenos Aires region, who concluded his visit.
ad limina, according to the bishop of Avellaneda-Lanús, Rubén Frbadia. In an interview with
THE NATIONFrbadia said that the bishops shared with Francisco the concern for the "violent spirit", exacerbated, that there is currently in Argentina. In this regard, he stressed that "ideas are discussed, people do not fight".

-You made several visits
ad limina in the Vatican: with John Paul II, with Benedict and with Pope Francis. Differences with previous ones?

-Differences, basically, style: the exchange, the notification has always been important, but we can see the effort of different Roman dicasteries very affable, very explanatory, with a lot of availability. They now have more attitude to listen to our problems than to talk. It is obviously the influence of the pope.

"You have presented to the pope a rough diagnosis of the Argentine reality. How did he react?

-He listened attentively. We talked about Argentina, its suffering, its lack of work and unemployment, and violence, which worries many pastors …

– Did they talk about the deadly attack in Congress?

-No because we did not know it at the time, but we are talking about violence that worries us and generates instability. Although this was not specified, we alluded to robbery, the fact that people are not respected, are exacerbated, are angry, have a moderately violent mind.

– What did the pope say?

-No, he listened.

– According to what they said, there was no mention of this dialogue attempt promoted by the government …

– This has not been specified. What the Holy Father did was to speak at a high level and said that Argentina needed to know how to make a decision on the federal question. We are often theoretically federal, but in practice we have more individualistic, partisan or individual attitudes. And that sometimes goes to the detriment of what is the common good of the nation. I believe we should all make an effort and the Pope has hinted at it: look and work for the common good of the nation.

– insisted that "we must all be responsible," said Bishop Gabriel Barba.

We must all feel responsible not only for our silences but also for our attitudes.

-They told the pope that the establishment of the debate on abortion had greatly harmed the Argentines?

– Yes, there was also talk about how the problem of abortion caused some division among the population. And it's a pity because, obviously, by not listening, not knowing how to expose things as such, people are immediately attacked and there are irreconcilable positions. We may be in favor of one position or another, but we must certainly listen to the fundamental principles of one thing or the other. Then ideas are discussed, but people do not fight. Do not look tragically, in Greek, but rather in the Italian way. There is always a way out, an explanation, a dialogue, you can not upset a person because you think differently. If you think differently, I have to respect because it's different. But I must also ask this person to respect me, because I am different and I can think differently. So, we do not disqualify ourselves. We can accentuate ideas, but never to break the relationship between people.

-The pope said that he had taken the agenda to make a trip this year to the country. What intuition do you have about the long-delayed trip?

-They are themes treated by the Holy Father. Do I want that to come? Obviously, yes. And I think for obvious reasons, not this year, because we are in an election period, but it would be good for the Holy Father to come next year.

– The trip would serve to overcome the famous crack?

-I think it would be nice if it came because everyone would see Pedro and it would be a great gift to see Pedro.

– How did you see the Pope, whom you know since they were together Auxiliary Bishops of Buenos Aires, in 1992?

– I saw the Holy Father very well. Honestly, I was surprised because I touched a seat very close and I had the opportunity to look at his face and face. I saw him younger, happy, encouraged, enthusiastic, lucid and honest.