Don Paolo Jr. discusses Church involvement in labor issues

Don Paolo Jr., responsible for social and labor pastoral care in the Archdiocese of Bologna, is addressing the evolving landscape of the workforce in Emilia-Romagna. While the region maintains a solid and qualified productive system, it also faces challenges such as precariousness, delocalization, and exploitation in sectors like logistics.

As the nature of work changes, the role of the Church is also shifting. Don Paolo Jr. notes that priests enter factories less frequently than in the past, necessitating a new approach focused on building dialogue and supporting those on the margins.

One key initiative is the ‘Insieme per il lavoro’ project, a collaboration between the Archdiocese, the Municipality, and the Metropolitan City of Bologna. This program supports vulnerable individuals—specifically those excluded from the productive system—by helping them rebuild confidence in their skills and connecting them with institutions, businesses, and the third sector to find employment.