Subject: 'austraLasia' #326

FR VECCHI IN ASIA: CHALLENGE TO CONSECRATED LIFE

Via VIDIMUS DOMINUM

ROME: 7th April -- Fr. Vecchi has recently returned from a long stint in Asia which took him through Hong Kong, India and various parts of Salesian Asia and South East Asia, particularly those provinces which have been recently set up. His journey took him through all nine provinces of India and the vice provinces of Sri Lanka and Myunmar (Burma). At the heart of his preoccupations was the Salesian Community and the challenges to inculturation of consecrated life in Asia.

Fr. Vecchi was asked by the Vidimus Dominum reporter what he thought the Salesians could learn from Asia with regard to its commitment to education. Fr. Vecchi, in response, spoke of the difficulty of describing 'Asia' univocally. It offers a cross-section of so many religions and ideologies.

Instead, he suggested, we should look to the individual in whom all these have to find a synthesis. He found in some young Asians a real openness todialogue.

The questions turned to India and in particular the instrumentalizing of Religion there. Fr. Vecchi felt that this was true at the level of political or other groups seeking pwoer, but not so at the level of the ordinary person for whom religion is still a reason for hope and openness to the other. In fact the Salesians run educatinal institutions where 80% or more are non-Christian, and we haven't found the problems so described. It would seem that we share a set of common values with these students which leaves them free to make life choices.

The inevitable question on inculturation of Christianity, a 'Western' religion, was fielded by the Rector Major with the following comment: "I think that different cultural ways constitute a source of enrichment and there is no reasons why we should try too hard to defend ourselves from them". Nevertheless he recognized that there is still a way to go before Christianity, Salesian Life for that matter, is inculturated in these new contexts.

Fr. Vecchi was quizzed on the role that Bishop Belo has played in the events of East Timor. He responded to criticisms of the Bishop for leaving his country at the eight of the difficulties by saying, simply, that he had no option, and that subsequent events have shown the degree to which Bishop Belo has influenced the positive outcome.

The interview concluded with a question concerning the shape and purpose of Religious Life in Asia today. Fr. Vecchi pointed out that community life is of necessity changing. Religious Communities comprise smaller numbers, perhaps six or so members, if that. Religious Institutes offer some rhythm and regularity to life in circumstances where the demands and urgencies of the moment might make for less regulairity. He felt that communities today are more personalised by necessity. There is a closer working relationship with the laity. Evangelical poverty is lived out as an effective witness.