Editorial > Editorial Archive

Fr. Grassi demanded to leave behind futile divisions in Argentina

"Lack of unity leads to decay of solidarity"

The Spiritual Father of Felices Los Niños Foundation assured tonight that there is only one way to diagnose the good and the false, that is, by their fruit. He denoted that this fruit cannot be seen in good intentions but in good deeds. "In Argentina the accusing finger rules and the easy evaluation which begins with rumors and gossip between one and another", he remarked.

Buenos Aires, Sunday, September 29, 2002.- Father Julio Grassi, founder and Spiritual Father of the Felices los Niños Foundation assured tonight that "the lack of unity always leads to the decay of solidarity."

"In Argentina the accusing finger rules and the easy evaluation which begins with rumors and gossip between one and another" he said in his weekly column in the "La Manga" broadcasting which he conducts for ten years now at Radio Rivadavia (AM 630 kHz, Sundays from 02:00 to 05:00) from Houston, Texas, USA , where he partook on Friday in the "Sandwich Night" festival in benefit of Felices los Niños, which was organized by the group Niños Felices USA, made up by the Hispanic community residing in this city, headed by Marcello Marini, Program Director of Telemundo TV chain.

During the event which gathered more than 400 people, Fr. Grassi was named "Good Will Ambassador". Furthermore, he was proclaimed Honorary Citizen of the City of Houston and received the annual "The Americas Award 2002".

The gesture of the Latin American residents was originated by their concern about the situation of childhood both in the continent and in Argentina. They decided to channel the solidary gesture through a body which works intensely for the poorest.

"One of the aspects which for the last nine years promoted the Felices Los Niños Foundation is the truth about the things it does. That is what most moves people", pointed Fr. Grassi out in his comment.

Felices los Niños is an Argentine NGO which gives comprehensive assistance to 6,200 derelict children and youths in 20 Argentine localities. A total of 51 Works is composed of 19 dwelling homes, 15 day-care centers, 9 schools, 6 refectories, 2 mobile teams, and 33 job training workshops.

"This is the truth of the Felices Los Niños Foundation; this is my truth", assured Fr. Julio Grassi. "As Jesus said, 'no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit'."

"The Felices Los Niños Foundation has its roots in a suffering Argentina but from sorrow it is giving good fruit for the kids who need so very much."

"The crisis causes scarcity and weakness. But we really feel we are on the right track. 'By their fruit you will recognize them'", he said quoting Jesus again.

"To evaluate truth or falsity you don't do it by the words spoken by someone who says 'I am good', 'I am a pious Catholic'. On the contrary, real facts are evaluated, facts which arise from daily life, from routine and from what is shown day by day from each one's heart."

"Unfortunately, at this time new Pharisees appear, those who talk very much about themselves, who adjust laws to their own rules which are not always bound to Ethics. It is them who pint at other ones and judge quickly. Those who use their power to help themselves and who forget the neighbor in need, who make up spectacular shady deals through which they subject the poor to their will and who later appear to be the generous ones."

"At this time there is only one way to diagnose what is good and what is false. At this moment in which we need to identify the way to follow in Argentina, the best means of evaluating is by the fruit."

"Fruits are not shown by good intentions but by good deeds. Not always good deeds are great deeds."

Return to Editorial Archive.