austraLasia #2085
GC26:
A smooth and very effective process seems to be in place
ROME: 6th March 2008 -- A busy day! A busy day for
everyone from the President of the Assembly to the humble translators.
One of the first things readers might like to do, though, is to go to
the reserved area of sdb.org (best enter through the GC26 website to
find your way to the right pages) and check on the new document in
there - you will be able to follow the Rector Major's report more
closely. It is such a prominent part of this first part of the Chapter.
You may also like to take a peek at the GC26 Regulations with its newly
added section to R. 20 - these are in the 'open' area and can be
accessed from the RH column on the GC26 page, about halfway down that
list.
The Regions met on 4th and 5th March and produced a
set of responses to two questions, one on their perspective of the
state of the Congregation, having read and studied the RM's report
individually and together, and the other indicating what issues should
be part of the planning for the next 6 year period. This approach is
what the altered GC26 R. 20 was all about - it substantially changes
the way General Chapters have worked thus far in the sense that the
vast experience of the Congregation is being brought to bear early, on
this 'reporting' stage, with a view to influencing the next six year
programme quite directly. Regions will meet again towards the end of
the Chapter and plan ahead in their own regard as well.
The afternoon saw, in addition to these regional
assessments being presented publicly, a question and answer time.
The Rector Major made it clear that while he took full responsibility
for his Report, he had followed the tried and proven method of asking
his Councillors to help him draft it - therefore they were in the best
situation to respond to specific questions for their sector. So
they did! And this will continue at least for the first part of
tomorrow morning. In the meantime, four hard-working characters
are drafting a synthesis of all these region reports and have to
present that tomorrow also. By then there will be a clearer idea
of what the key issues are. It suffices to note at this point
that the importance of quality community life, spirit, growth, support,
is one of those issues. It was already highlighted by the Rector
Major but it is coming through again in region responses.
You can read the chronological stages of the day
through ANS, and follow up with the excellent photos taken either by
our Bro Hilario Seo of EAO Region and published on sdb.org or by others
published in both ANS and in the photo section of the GC26 website.
Don't overlook the ANS video either. And keep an eye on the very active
cartoonist!
The management of the Chapter is quite outstanding
when you look at it. Fr Cereda has a light but direct touch and keeps
things moving, nobody is allowed to weigh things down with long
speeches, there appear to be very few glitches in the overall
operation, and where voting procedures got a little tedious the first
time (electing three Moderators) it was quickly simplified.
Commissions, including a specific Juridical Commission, will be in
place by the morrow.
Wednesday 5th was Fr Bregolin's name day, Thursday
6th is Fr Cereda's birthday, so there are celebratory moments amidst it
all.
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Title: australasia 2085
Subject and key words: GC26
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2085
