austraLasia #2083

After the heady moments of yesterday, Chapter goes to work - in a new way

ROME: 4th March 2008 -- GC25 had already asked for thought to be given to the way General Chapters were conducted so it should be no surprise that it was not just 'business as usual' in the Aula Magna on the first day of work following the formal opening of GC26.  After the necessary preliminaries such as the fixing of seating positions, reading out the regulations, and establishing the order of the day, the Moderator, quickly backed up by the President (RM), indicated that the Chapter had already been working to a novel rhythm.
    The reports by Departments and Regions on 26-27 February were a novelty - they not only provided a context to help follow the Rector Major's own overview, but signalled a different approach. As the Rector Major put it to the Assembly, he saw it as important that this time the Chapter start from the life of the Congregation, Beginning with regions rather than commissions seemed the appropriate way to draw on the Congregation's experience as one way of fulfilling GC25 n. 136's request for an 'examination of the situation of the Congregation and drawing up fundamental guidelines for the policy to be implemented during the following six year period'. The Regional meetings now taking place begin with the presentations by Departments, Regions and the Rector Major, as a way of indicating these two tasks.
    The Rector Major also noted that he was highlighting another element which was not perhaps immediately evident from documentation already received and read, but which he, from his now worldwide and close experience of the Congregation considered crucial - the community.  This, he said, is a charismatic aspect, and needed to be faced as such.  It is just so important for everything else that we hold to be of charismatic origin.  Without community life, growth and support, the life of the individual, in the Congregation founded by Don Bosco, does not flourish. It is, he indicated, often cited as a reason when individuals leave the Congregation.
    Regions are asked to bring the results of their reflection and discussion to the Assembly on 5th March, where discussion will take place, and where another novelty of GC26 will draw its first materials from: whereas previous Chapters have worked with Commissions and sub-commissions, and have drawn up documents on themes assigned to them, the working process for this Chapter is quite different.  Commissions, once established, will have 'working groups', most likely organised on a language basis, and each Commission will deal with the entire theme and sub-themes of GC26.  Meanwhile an editorial group, including at least representation from each Region, will draw up any eventual documentation resulting from the Chapter.
    (On a separate matter - there is no reason for provinces and individuals to give up on sending in news of local events during March and April.  Not only austraLasia but also ANS thrives on the life of the wider Congregation, not just the hothouse experience of a General Chapter! So keep the news coming please; one doesn't imagine that everything stops just because the provincial is out of town. 'Anzi', as the Italians say!)
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Title: australasia 2083
Subject and key words: SDB General GC26 Work process
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2083