ROME: 13 March 2014 -- Well, it's not all hard work.
There are fun and games! As you read on you might suspect
that the fun and games occurs on and off the court at times,
as might be expected at a General Chapter attempting to
tackle some of the major issues today.
Perhaps from a reader's point of view the interest, though,
might be focused on the process that began on Wednesday with
the Juridical Commission presenting its proposals on matters
put before it - length of term for RM and Councillors, the
question of a second consecutive term, and the Salesian
missions - whether they should be represented by a
Councillor or not. Update, first on
Bolivia - La Paz
As
suggested yesterday, details were very sketchy, and not
entirely correct. Fr David Bellido survived the collapse of
the camopy over the sports stadium, but was injured, along
with a Salesian Sister. One young person was killed, many
injured. If you understand Spanish you could follow
a local news broadcast on the tragedy.
Proposals by the Juridical
Commission - and procedures from here on The Juridical Commission presented three main proposals
on Wedensday. The procedure now is that these will be opened
up for discussion on Thursday 13 March and a straw vote
taken. This is usual procedure - it allows for full
discussion, then a vote is taken which gives an indication of
where the Assembly is moving on the issue. As a result of that
vote the Commission concerned can then be asked to reformulate
its proposal - or look at further implications.
The matters taken up by the Juridical Commission are to do
with what GC26 requested - a study of the animation structures
and central government and its composition. Here are the
JC's proposals:
A. The 27th general Chapter confirms the possibility of
electing the Rector Major only for a second consecutive term
[of six years], as envisaged by C. 128.
B. The 27th general Chapter confirms
the possibility of electing the Vicar
of the Rector Major, Sector Councillors, Regional Councillors
only for a second consecutive term [of six
years] in the same role, as
envisaged by C. 141.
The 27th general Chapter confirms that
the General Council be made up of theVicar, Councillors in
charge of special Sectors and Regional Councillors in charge
of groups of Provinces, as
envisaged by C. 133 §1.
The 27th general Chapter, while
reaffirming that the proc,amation of the Gospel to peoples who
still do not know it is one of the characteristic purposes of
the Salesian vocation (C. 6), maintains that its promotion can
be entrusted – in its respective areas of responsibility - to
the General Councillor for Formation, the General Councillor
for Youth Ministry, to the Economer General. So the role of
Genmeral Councillor fro the Missions would be suppressed along
with C. 138 which defines the role.
Much of this, and understandably the final proposal lsited
above, will come in for vigorous discussion today. The JC does
not simply make proposals - it offers reasons why it makes
such a proposal. They are too lengthy to report here.
Let's see where it goes in discussion. Discussion on the core
theme items - mystics, fraternal life, servants of the young
This is ongoing and commissions report their discussions each
day.
****************
Brief news from around the
Region
Japan Fr Cipriani (Prov. Japan) has finally arrived at the
Chapter - he was delayed for health reasons, undergoing
chemotherapy.
The Vatican has put on a concert for Tsunami victims (Japan).
Chapter members were also asked to continue to pray for Japan
in this regard.
KOR has sent its first missionary to GIA. He has already
arrived - Fr Joseph Lee Chun Seob.
The Japanese Bishops Conference is only the second such
Conference to publish the results of the Vatican survey on the
family and moral, pastoral issues (Germany is the other). It
is interesting how this Japanese report concludes:
“In developing a pastoral
orientation, it is perhaps important to recall that the only
time in the gospels that Jesus clearly encounters someone in
a situation of cohabitation outside of marriage (the
Samaritan woman at the well), he does not focus on it.
Instead, he respectfully deals with the woman and turns her
into a missionary.”
VIE-MNG
The Indonesian Salesian missionary to Mongolia, Arnold
Pattyona, will be ordained priest at Parañaque on 21
April, along with six others, all from FIN.
KOR
The Holy Father has confirmed that he will visit South Korea
in August. The last papal visit there was by John Paul II in
1989.
