austraLasia #2111

Regionals slotting into place

ROME: 28th March 2008 -- It seems we should take this in bits and pieces, since the day is entirely given over to selecting regionals, and the dynamics are nothing if not interesting.  Yesterday afternoon, all regions met to select their candidates (effectively a straw vote), but then these selections go to a vote by the Assembly, which is binding.  The Assembly may think differently to the region or rather, may simply confirm or resolve what is not resolved in the region.
    This morning, America South Cone, East Asia-Oceania (no including MYM), South Asia (now minus MYM), and Africa-Madagascar came up for vote.  America South Cone candidate, Fr Natale Vitali, Italian-born missionary in Chile and Provincial there until today, was confirmed by the Assembly. EAO had already chosen Fr Andrew Wong by a clear majority and he had indicated his willingness, so he is now confirmed as regional for EAO.  The dynamics in South Asia are interesting - they want to spread their choices around over the years to ensure various areas are represented (at least that's how some of them explained it to me).  The Assembly confirmed their choice of Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga as Regional to replace Fr Joaquim D'Souza.  Africa-Madagascar put up three candidates, all roughly equal. one of them being an African.  The Assembly chose the urbane Fr Guilherme Basañes, currently Provincial in Angola.  He has the distinction of holding US citizenship, grew up for most of his life in Argentina, but is an adopted Angolan - end result being he speaks at least three of the four 'official' languages of Salesian Africa fluently, and will probably have little difficulty with the fourth.
    The afternoon will have its interesting moments - North Europe is working through a couple of possibilities which will eventually be resolved by the Assembly.  It would seem that Italy-Middle East, West Europe are fairly clear. Maybe Interamerica, but let's see.
    Readers, however, might be interested in the EAO reflections beforehand, reflections which would apply, one thinks, to all choices of regionals.  EAO Chapter members wanted: somebody was a an animator and a motivator, could understand peoples and cultures, a happy chappy who could encourage, share; somebody with poise and personality in this multicultural region, a communicator who could foster cooperation and a sense of belonging. They want him to 'look after provincials' and as a result 'look after confreres'. They also felt a knowledge of Chinese would be helpful.
    The candidate who has absolutely all these qualities died two thousand years ago (well almost all these qualities - his Chinese may not have been the best), but EAO put up the next best candidate - and he is now the Regional!  Congrats Fr Andy!
     We'll get back to you on the remaining three choices either tonight or first thing tomorrow, Rome time.
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Title: australasia 2111
Subject and key words: GC26 Regionals
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2111