#572

COMMISSION #6 ALMOST FINISHED WORK but there's a little matter of....

PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS.

A request made by more than 50 members of the assembly that Commission #6 study the question of Provincial Chapters.  The proposal basically states that in the year the provincial chapter is done without looking towards a general chapter the provincial could call a provincial assembly together.  "Does the Assembly want to study the proposal made by 50 members concerning the provincial chapters held between General Chapters?"  The vote taken was:  122 – Yes; 93 – No; 0 – Juxtamodum, 1 – Abstention.  The motion carried, so now Commission #6 will be asked to study the question and report back to the General Assembly.

EVALUATION (verification) OF STRUCTURES

Still at 'comment' stage.  The main comments centered on the need for the commission to clarify its form of presentation, and to consider an evaluation of the
process in which the General Chapter is conducted.  Two interventions asked the commission to further delineate and specify the needs of the community at the Generalate.

THE WORDING OF CONSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN ALTERED.

1.  Const. 128 is modified to read:  "The Rector Major is elected by the General Chapter for a term of six years and may be elected only for a second consecutive term of six years.  He may not resign his office without the consent of the Apostolic See."
2.  Const. 142 is modified to read:  The Vicar of the Rector Major, the Departmental Councilors and the Regional Councilors remain in office for six years and can only be elected for a second consecutive term of six years with respect to the offices of Vicar of the Rector Major, Departmental Councilor or Regional Councilor respectively, except for the case referred to in art. 143 of the Constitutions.
3.  Const 133 is modified to read:  "The councilors in charge of special departments are: the councilor for formation, the councilor for the youth apostolate, the councilor for social communication, the councilor for the missions and the economer general."
4   To Const. 134, on the Vicar, is added:  "He has the task of animating the Congregation in the sector of the Salesian Family.  In accordance with art. 5 of the Constitutions he promotes communion between the various groups, respecting their specific character and autonomy.  He also guides and assists the provinces, so that in their territories may be developed, according to their respective statutes, the Association of Salesian Cooperators and the Movement of the Past-pupils."
5.  Const. 137:  "The councilor for social communication has the task of animating the Congregation in this sector.  He promotes Salesian activity in the sector of social communication and in particular coordinates at world level the structures and centers for which the Congregation is responsible in this field."
6.  The General Chapter approves the following division of the Australia-Asia group of Provinces:South Asia Group (name is provisional):  India-Bangalore, India-Bombay, India-Calcutta, India-Dimapur, India-Guwahati, India-Hyderabad, India-Madras, India-New Delhi, and India-Tiruchy.East Asia Group (name is provisional): Australia, China, Indonesia-Timor, Japan, Korea, North Philippines, South Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam.Vote taken: