30 April 04

General Larsson quizzed by Italian children on Easter Day, 2004

On Easter Sunday afternoon the small garden at the national headquarters of the Italy Command in Rome was packed with children and young people

On Sunday afternoon the small garden at the national headquarters of the Italy Command in Rome was packed with about fifty children and young people, waiting to meet the General and Commissioner Freda Larsson and put to them their interesting, sometimes peculiar, but always relevant, questions.

Some of the questions were those that only the very young ask, such as wanting to know how old Commissioner Freda Larsson was. Some were characteristically Italian, such as a boy asking if the General would play soccer with them. But most were to do with what it was like to be the international leaders of The Salvation Army, with the children wondering how many countries they had visited since coming into office, and what their daily schedule involved. A young lady asked how they were called to be officers.

On broader topics, the young people were particularly interested to know more about the Army’s work in war-torn countries, and did not shy away from asking more challenging, even provocative, questions about The Salvation Army. For example, one asked the international leaders about new trends within the Army, and whether being "spiritual" meant abandoning uniform, ranks and ‘formalism’. The General replied gently but firmly that there should not be any contradiction between wearing a uniform and being spiritual. He affirmed that it was quite the opposite! General Larsson also said that the Army would always be at its best when it is The Salvation Army and is not trying to model itself after other churches.

This was a great opportunity for Italian young people to have an honest exchange of ideas with the Army's international leaders. The children felt excited and honoured to be in the presence of the General and Commissioner Larsson, who were willing to laugh and joke with them as well as give them clear answers and sound advice.

The meeting lasted about half an hour and concluded with hugs all round, and pictures of the young people with the General and Commissioner Larsson.