#557

GC25 is at the heart of the laborious process of documentation. Maria
Arokiam, Vice Provincial of Chennai (Madras), India, reflects on the
process...
__________________________________________
FROM EUPHORIA TO PATIENT WORK

The first euphoric atmosphere of having come together from all over the world
as privileged people to be part of the highest body of the congregation has
now given way to sober work and reflection on the reality of our communities
all over the world. We are right in the midst of discussing the first drafts
of the documents prepared by the commissions.

But there is a nagging doubt among many whether the methodology we follow to
produce the General Chapter Document is the right one. In the first place,
some ask whether the whole exercise of the Chapter is meant mainly to come
out with a document! Imagine 231 people sitting down and discussing a
document word for word and agreeing on what is written, how it must be
written and the like! Some confreres feel that we should have a different
method of running the chapter itself.....

International bodies, Episcopal conferences, synods of bishops too come out
with valid documents of great importance but seem to follow faster and more
logical methods!

Secondly there is concern about the nature and size of the document. Already
Fr. Vecchi in his convocation letter had said that the purpose of GC25 was
not a question of producing a document on the doctrine of religious community
life, but of coming to terms with the reality of our communities and
decidedly giving them a push towards authenticity in view of the mission.

There are those who ask for a very brief document in the form of some
leaflets on every sub-topic with mostly a situation analysis and lines of
action. In general all are agreed that we need only a small, non-doctrinal
and practical document. Instead, during the discussions, all would like to
find their ideas in it and contribute generously with concepts and theories
they think should get a mention. I have a premonition that this time too we
will have a big document…..I just hope it will not come true!

However, there is a good atmosphere in the Chapter - one of friendship,
appreciation of the various cultures from which confreres come and respect
for the ideas and contributions of every one. Hence, apart from the document,
this is a good experience of the worldwide community of the congregation.
Even if a gathering like this is expensive, this is an essential moment to
build a sense of belonging, to come to know each other and learn from each
other, and to build up more solidarity among the provinces of the world.

In my opinion, this can be called an "ordinary" chapter. It is not a Chapter
proposing a new thrust but one of consolidation and reflection on one of the
three constitutive elements of our Salesianity, namely our 'life in
community'. But if it can manage to come out with realistic and practical
guidelines, it can greatly help to improve the quality of our life and hence
our efficacy in our mission.

Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga
<marokiam@dbchennai.com>