(ANS – Madrid) – The war in the Middle East and beyond, the Pope’s travels to various African countries and to Spain, the situation of the Congregation following the 29th General Chapter, and the vocational theme in his Region were among the many topics addressed by Fr. Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, in a lengthy interview with the Spanish portal Religión Digital. Below is a summary of his reflections.

Challenges in the Mediterranean Region

The first challenge is that this Region is extraordinarily diverse: languages, cultures, religions, and social realities. The Mediterranean includes secularized European societies, Orthodox Christian contexts, and several Muslim-majority nations. In some countries, Christians live as minorities and face legal or social restrictions; in others, aggressive secularization presents new pastoral challenges, even as there are signs of renewed spirituality and a growing need for interreligious dialogue.

As a result, the realities facing young people vary greatly. Europe faces demographic decline and increasing concern for young people’s mental health, while the Middle East and North Africa have large youth populations marked by unemployment, migration pressures, and political instability. Although demographic challenges and aging populations are evident in parts of Europe, the Region continues to demonstrate strong pastoral vitality. Particularly significant is the expansion of works dedicated to at-risk youth, migrants, and socially vulnerable people. These are signs of missionary growth and of the determination to remain present where young people most need support.

Ultimately, at this crossroads of continents, cultures, and faith traditions, and amid situations of deep poverty, violence, and conflict, Salesians in the Mediterranean continue to live their vocation with courage and realism. “We are aware of the challenges, but we trust in Providence and choose to read history through the lens of hope. We are not called to preserve structures, but to generate hope. This is the first and principal challenge. The diversity of contexts calls us to be deeply rooted in Christ while remaining capable of dialogue, respect, and creativity,” Fr. Pérez Godoy explained.

A Time of Change for the Salesians

“Even if it may sound familiar, it is true: we are living through an epochal change, a real revolution. But this does not worry us,” Fr. Pérez Godoy said. He explained that this is the foundation of the renewal of the Salesian Congregation begun in the 1970s with the Special General Chapter, in response to the call of the Second Vatican Council. Since then, the Congregation has continuously renewed itself according to the needs of the times, seeking what Salesians call “dynamic fidelity” — fidelity to Don Bosco and to the signs of the times.

The 29th General Chapter continues this path of renewal, consolidating the essential choices that define Salesian identity while opening the Congregation to new challenges. For the current six-year term, four priority areas have been identified:

• strengthening the centrality of Christ in Salesian life, following Don Bosco;
• renewing the pastoral proposal through an updated charism and professional competence;
• addressing the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence in education and pastoral ministry;
• and giving special importance to the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.

The Vocational Crisis and the Path Forward

In the Mediterranean Region, with the exception of Croatia, the numbers reveal fragility. Yet, from the perspective of faith, fragility is a reminder that the future is built on God’s grace, not solely on human strength. Salesians, Fr. Pérez Godoy explained, have sought a path of personal and community conversion, renewing missionary frontiers and deepening discernment about consecrated life today. “Before numbers, the first concern is to live our Salesian consecrated life in such a way that it raises questions and speaks to young people today; vocational fruitfulness will follow.”

To understand this crisis, he said, it is also necessary to recognize a broader “crisis of vocational culture.” In a context marked by individualism and secularism — and by suspicion toward sacrifice and commitment — it becomes difficult to understand life as a vocation. Other contributing factors include low birth rates, family instability, weak faith formation, the abuse scandal, and cultural currents that discredit the Church.

“There is no magic solution,” he stressed.

The path forward lies in faithful and prophetic witness: showing a passion for Christ and for young people; offering the attractive testimony of joyful fraternity; being present among the young, listening to their concerns and hopes; presenting the welcoming face of the Church; proposing serious paths of faith formation; providing meaningful spiritual accompaniment; and involving the entire Christian community in fostering vocations through consistent processes rather than isolated events.

“The rest depends on God’s grace,” he added.

War and Responsibility Before God

Europe and the Mediterranean continue to be marked by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the violence in the Middle East. Asked what should be said to leaders who attempt to turn war into a crusade in the name of God, Fr. Pérez Godoy responded clearly:

“No war is justified, least of all in the name of God.”

He recalled that recently the Archbishop of Rabat, Cardinal Cristóbal López, SDB, said in Seville that “a Christian who justifies war must re-examine his conscience.” According to Fr. Pérez Godoy, however, this principle applies to every person of good will.

“One thing learned from years of service in this region is that judging from a distance is not the same as seeing reality face to face. When people casually speak of ‘collateral damage,’ one sees that these are real people with names and faces — many of them children — wounded in their dignity, families destroyed, without homes or futures.”

He also lamented that behind wars there are often economic interests and strategies of power imposed by force rather than reason. “How desirable it would be for Europe to speak with one voice in defense of human dignity, freedom, individual rights, reason, and dialogue,” he said.

Migration: A Continuing Tragedy

Asked whether the Mediterranean remains the “great cemetery of migrants,” as Pope Francis once described it, Fr. Pérez Godoy answered sadly: “Unfortunately, yes.”

For this reason, migration has become a decisive pastoral priority for Salesians and for the Church. The Mediterranean basin remains one of the world’s principal migration corridors, and Salesian works are often on the front lines of welcoming, educating, and integrating migrants.

Efforts are being intensified not only to assist migrants with integration, but also through development projects in their countries of origin so that migration may become a free choice rather than a necessity.

Echoing Pope Francis and the encyclical Dilexit Nos, Fr. Pérez Godoy emphasized: “The Church, like a mother, walks with those who walk. Where the world sees a threat, she sees children; where walls are raised, she builds bridges.”

He added that some people — “even among Christians” — should take this message to heart.

Expectations for the Pope’s Visit

The Pope’s upcoming journey, first to Algeria and then to Spain, is expected to strengthen relations between the Vatican and Algeria while promoting peace and mutual understanding. It is also hoped that the visit will help remove obstacles and facilitate the presence of missionaries in this important frontier region.

As for Spain, the country has awaited a papal visit since 2011. Fr. Pérez Godoy expressed hope that the visit will open new horizons of hope, peace, understanding, and reconciliation, helping people live their faith faithfully in communion with the Church and in response to the hopes of today’s world, especially those of young people and the poor.

Particular expectations surround the Pope’s planned visit to the Canary Islands, centered on migration, with the hope that it will help transform hearts in response to this pressing reality.