austraLasia #2319


6th South Asia Salesian Brothers' Congress in full swing

CHENNAI: 2nd January 2009 -- The 6th South Asian Salesian Brothers' Congress is being held (began on 30th December, concludes 3rd January) at The Citadel in Chennai. 118 Salesians from 11 provinces are taking part, 95 of these being Brothers.  The group includes high profile 'visitors' such as the Regional for South Asia, Fr Maria Arokiam, who has slipped away during the General Council brief break over Christmas and New Year, and who has been joined by Br. Claudio Marangio, Economer General.  Bro Marangio, who speaks a clearly understandable English, is making his first ever visit to South Asia.
    Messages came from the Rector Major and from Fr Cereda, the Councillor for Formation. Archbishop Chinnappa, Salesian Archbishop of Madras, has celebrated one of the Masses for the group.
    The Congress has been marked by an outward look; keynote speaker Bro Joseph Das has challenged India's Salesian Brothers to enter secular areas of challenge, especially those represented by Indian society today, but not just as social activists. He stressed the importance of the spiritual in the Brother's life. Bro Marangio has already indicated how for him "the specific nature of the one Salesian vocation can be translated into a two-fold profession, 'religious' and 'lay', the synthesis of which is found in the passion for God ("sequela Christis) and the passion for mankind (the lay dimension)".
    Father Anthonyraj Chinnappan, principal of Sacred Heart College, Tirapattur, spoke on the Salesian Brother and socio-economic challenges of the new world.  He urged Brothers to be involved in social issues plaguing the region: child labour, unemployment, corruption. He further urged Brothers to make inroads into government services such as the Education Board, and monitor government initiatives, effectively suggesting they be involved in lobbying and social advocacy.
    All documentation relating to the Congress can be found in the 'English' collection on SDL. Easiest way to search is to use the 'titles' tab and, since it is the '6th South Asia....', select the 0-9 indicator in the horizontal list that appears.

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Title: australasia 2319
Subject and key words:  S Asia 6th SA Brothers Congres
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2319