ROME: 31st March 2006 -- This coming November will
see the major ASC event of the century - the first World Congress of
the century (there will be other major events yet to come) in
Rome. It is not just another meeting. The worldwide
Association of Salesian Cooperators is very much on the move, and
November's meeting will stamp the Association with its project of life
for the millennium we are now well into.
It is good to watch changing terminology, because it
is often a hint to much deeper changes going on. Anybody who has
had anything to do with the Salesian Cooperators would know of the RAL
or Regulations of Apostolic Life. And here is the first hint of
major change. You might like to take a look at the Bosconet
Cooperator's page (you can navigate there from the homepage at
www.bosconet.aust.com easily enough under EAO Resources). The old
RAL are still there, but please note that from November, or at least
from the time the Rector Major as the Superior of the Association
approves the changes, RAL will no longer exist. Its place will be
taken by two fundamental items which will, together, make up the PAL or
Project of Apostolic Life. This PAL is explicated in a set of
Statutes (Salesians can read 'Constitutions') and Regulations, thus
bringing things into line with the other two major branches of the
Salesian Family, and in fact also in line with the general trend in
societies of apostolic life. Both Statutes and Regulations for
the PAL are available at the top of the page referred to.
There will no longer be a 'World Consulting Body';
this will now become a World Council. Consultative or Advisory
Council groups now exist at Regional level (e.g. the EAO Advisory
Council) or in a Province, but there as the Provincial Advisory Council
for the Salesian Family which includes ASC but not only. It would
be best to drop the term 'consulta' in English, as it is not
English! Of course it is useful for in-house reference, but since
the Cooperators live in the world amongst the rest of God's billions of
beloved beings, many of whom speak English, it would help to use terms
they will understand.
The important thing for Salesians, and Sisters at
this stage since together they are responsible for the animation of the
ASC, is to read and become familiar with these two new documents.
They are very readable. The translation has been achieved with
much care and consultation amongst ASC members directly involved in the
management of the Association in English-speaking areas - in
particular the world English-speaking representative, Marlene
Frederick, from the USA, and the EAO Regional Councillor Philip Yu from
Hong Kong. There may be minor changes as a result of the November
World Council Meeting, but the die is virtually
cast.
GLOSSARY
the die is (virtually) cast: A die
is a mould used for shaping metal
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