ROME: 12th April 2006 -- Already in the
English-speaking
Salesian world, there are two approved Centres for Brother formation,
one in Shillong, India (2004), and one in Nairobi, Kenya
(2005). Now there is a third, Manila - Paranaque City,
Philippines. The Rector Major with his Council
indicated their approval of this project yesterday.
The Shillong Centre had always been a theoretical
possibility for
Brothers from EAO but the reality is that visas are almost impossible
to get. So investigations were mounted by the Formation
Department in
Rome, with the help of Fr Klement, with a view to establishing a centre
for our own
Region. The investigation revealed that of several possibilities,
Seminaryo ng Don Bosco at Paranaque offered the best option. The
aim
is to begin in June of this year, and two key formation guides have
already been nominated, one from Vietnam, and one from Korea.
At the moment there will not be a community separate
from the
Seminaryo community. The Rector will be the same for both the
clerics
and the Brothers, but while the Brothers will take their meals and play
sport with the others, there will be a different formation programme
with distinct features other than studies - Good Nights, Eucharist,
conferences will be apart. The Brothers will frequent a two-year
course at the Don Bosco Centre for Studies which is only a stone's
throw from the Seminaryo. This course will be specifically
designed
for them, following a curriculum set out by the Formation
Department.
The course will also be open to others, lay men and women, Religious
and on completion, candidates will receive a Diploma of Theology from
the Salesian University in Rome.
This is a Regional venture, located in the
Philippines; in
other words it will receive the support of provinces in the region in
as many ways as are possible for them - providing candidates, staff,
finance. Provincials have already indicated that they will send
their
Brothers to Paranaque once the Practical Training period is
concluded.
This phase of specific formation is the responsibility of the Provinces
of East Asia-Oceania.
The kind of curriculum involved can be worked out by
looking at the
Ratio - it includes Scripture, various aspects of theology (systematic,
pastoral, moral), spirituality, Salesianity, and human sciences.
This
latter group includes communications, psychology, sociology. In
each
case, the new Centre and its staff must confront the particular needs
of Brothers as represented by our Region and also the wider
scene. It
is a brave new step and one not just accomplished by a few signatures
of approval. austraLasia looks forward to reporting on further
concrete steps in making this a vibrant reality for the growth of the
Brother in the Region and the Congregation.
_____________________
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