|
As the reports have been rather long, I have summarised them here. If you would like to see the fuller reports they are on the ANS page of the Salesian web site in Rome - www.sdb.org (Fr Pat Sherlock)
(ANS – Rome, 14 March 2002)
The sixth commission this morning presented four further points to the assembly: The term of office of the Rector Major, that of the members of the General Council, the procedures for the election of the economer general, and the division of the Australasia region into two zones with the consequent increase in the number of regional councillors.
(ANS – Rome, 15 March 2002)
The chapter sprang into life with the discussion on the first group of proposals from the sixth commission. There were pre-booked interventions of 5 minutes by 12 members and 3 minute interventions freely open to all the chapter members in the hall. Many emphasized that the problem is not the number of councillors we should have but how they function together.
(ANS – Rome, 15 March 2002)
Yesterday afternoon the fourth commission made its debut in the assembly with the presentation of the first proposals for the document on the theme of the rector. The theme of initial and on-going formation was also entrusted to this commission.
The proposed document is in five parts: dream and vision, situation, challenges, criteria and orientations, lines of action. The first three parts concentrate on the identity of the rector as spiritual animator of the religious community and laity; they outline situations which often lead to a lack of animation (superficiality in prayer and faith, complexity of roles, personal limitations, lack of preparation, and limitations present within the community); and they identify some challenges (regulating the exercise of the role of the rector, making the whole community co-responsible in the work of animation, finding new ways of relating and meeting, preparing Salesians to assume the role of rector).
The fourth and fifth parts offer some criteria and guidance (creating a spirituality of communion, emphasising the role of the person, sustaining and accompanying a person in his vocation) which lead to lines of action.
(ANS – Rome, 16 March 2002)
Fr Luc Van Looy left the Pius XI Clinic this morning. His stay in hospital was brief and satisfactory and he will continue his convalescence and physiotherapy at the Generalate. At present he is staying in the infirmary at the UPS but he will probably return to the General Chapter on Monday.
As Chancellor of the UPS, Fr Van Looy presided at a ceremony to mark the completion of work on the new Don Bosco Library. It should be open to the public at this time next year.
Frs Robert Gore, Jose Lofrano and Francis Preston holding a Maynooth reunion at the UPS on the occasion of the Blessing of the new UPS Library
(ANS – Rome, 16 March 2002)
Yesterday afternoon the first and third commissions made their presentations and the fourth commission tackled the theme of formation.
The first commission, on the theme of Fraternal Life, had divided its work into three sections: Salesian ‘credo’, context, and areas for special attention. It drew attention to the role of the preventive system as the inspiration of our way of life, not only with the young, but also in our own communities. Special attention should be given to human and vocational maturity, sharing and communion, and gospel discernment.
Fr Francesco Cereda, spokesman for the third commission, presented a text on Animating Presence among Young People. It identified three core themes in the working document and the contributions from the Provincial Chapters: a presence which is welcoming and builds communion, which educates and evangelises, and which accompanies and assists vocational choice.
The fourth commission dealt with initial and ongoing formation as a single developing reality. It drew attention to certain important points in the new ‘Ratio’ (Formation Manual) and in the working documents and the contributions from the Provincial Chapters. The commission looked at community from the viewpoint of formation and vocational growth. It pointed out the importance of motivation, personal relationships and a strong spirituality which embraces life and work. In the light of these it presented criteria, guidance and lines of action at Province, community and personal levels.
(ANS – Rome, 16 March 2002)
This morning the sixth commission carried out straw votes on the second part of its proposed document. The assembly was in favour of dividing the Australasian region into two. It preferred the present system of electing the Economer General directly. It was in favour of limiting the Rector Major to two terms of six years each but asked the commission to reformulate its proposals on the period of office of the members of the General Council and their eligibility for other offices or regional responsibility.
|
