|
(ANS – Rome, 6 March 2002)
Today, early in the afternoon Fr Luc Van Looy had an operation at the Pio XI Clinic in Rome. The surgeons were pleased with the way it went and anticipate a good recovery within a fortnight.
Fr Van Looy went into the operating theatre at 13.40 Fr Giuseppe Nicolussi and Fr Mario Mauri (his secretary) were on hand before and after the operation
The doctors had found that the head of the femur was broken and replaced it with an artificial one. Since a general anaesthetic was not necessary a local one was administered. The length of the operation, which finished about 17.30 was normal for this kind of operation now considered quite routine.
The period of convalescence is expected to follow these stages: for a few days Fr Van Looy will need to stay in bed; then there will be a period when he will be able to move between the bed and an armchair; then use a walking-frame; and then crutches. He will soon be able to follow this programme in the Generalate.
During these early days, and for a few nights, members of the General Council are taking it in turns to be with him.
Since he only had a local anaesthetic, Fr Luc was conscious all the time and in good spirits.
(ANS – Rome, 6 March 2002)
Today was quite busy for all the members of the GC25. According to the programme, they spent the whole day in the Hall before approving the two documents prepared by the precapitular commission: the first on the topic of the religious community and the second on the verifiation of the structures of government. The first was appoved almost unanimously, and the second by just over two to one in favour.
The Moderator of the Chapter, then presented a proposal for the setting up of the chapter commissions to work on the toopics under discussion. The proposal was for 7 commissions with about 30 members in each: 6 for the various themes on the religious community (fraternal life, evangelical witness, animating presence among the young, the Rector, ongoing formation, living and working together) and 1 for the structures of government.
After Fr Domench’s presentation there were many requests for clarification
Some chapter members proposed alternatives, including one that there should be two commissions for the structures, and another that would allow for wider participation according to language, so that at least Spanish might be added to the two proposed (English and Italian). Other suggestions referred to a different methodology for the work in the commissions.
Tomorrow the assembly will reconsider the original proposal of Fr Domenech and possibly others prior to any approval.
There were a large number of speakers, certainly more than on the previous days, indicating that the GC25 is coming more alive each day, and that the various topics are being closely followed. Many members spoke for the first time, while others have shown that they are already well versed.
One request that was made very often was that the final document should be simple and practical, something to help the life of the communities, that is more concerned with the actual situation than theoretical.
(ANS – Rome, 7 March 2002)
Tenth working session of the Chapter.
The assembly gave definitive approval to the new arrangement of the commissions. Six of them have been set up with the following themes: 1. Fraternal Life (with French and Italian the predominant languages); 2. Gospel witness (English and Italian); 3. Animating presence among the young (Italian and Spanish); 4. The Rector and ongoing formation (English and Italian); 5. Living and working together, and new situations and forms of salesian community life (Italian and Spanish); 6. Evaluation of the structures, and the various proposals for changes in the Constitutions and Regulations (all languages).
The language indication for the choice of commission is aimed at facilitating communication within each commission, so that everyone can understand and be able to speak. Every capitular remains free to choose whatever commission he wishes. Each is asked to express a first and second preference. If as a result the commissions remain unevenly balanced as regards numbers, the President will provide, contacting personally if necessary the capitulars concerned, to arrange for their transfer to a commission with fewer members.
In the afternoon the membership of the commissions will be made known and their respective presidents elected.
The day’s agenda also includes the presentation and approval if possible of the date of election of the Rector Major and his Council, and the presentation of the manner of making the preceding discernment.
|
