austraLasia #2086

First phase coming to a close: regional study of RM's report

ROME: 6th March 2008 -- By late evening on 6th, the regions had met yet a second time to look over an excellent summary of their earlier efforts to reflect on the RM's report on the state of the Congregation.  In the meantime they had also plied him with questions, some of which were answered by one or other Councillor for a sector, but the majority of which were answered by him. It is worth just saying here, that given 'simultaneous translation', which is working well overall (we think!), when the RM responds to these questions he has a lot to say in a short space of time, so the speed of delivery means translation must come through at the same speed - fine for mother tongue English speakers, but possibly a little daunting for some others.  Still and all, there are lots of helpful people around (including the Regional, Fr Klement, who we see busy scribbling notes to help anyone who might feel linguistically poor and abandoned!).
    The EAO Region put two questions to the RM with reference to the 'new directions' comment in his report - how crucial did he think the current situation of young people was with regard to the next six years of planning, and what might be implications for our structures if we were to move into some of these 'new ministries'?  The question surfaced in other ways with other regions, coming down to the more general question of the struggle between keeping traditional works and structures versus moving out to new needs.  The core of the RM's response to this (and it is just as crucial an issue for Europe) is that the Salesian can never remain indifferent to the cry of the young; Salesians will seek to respond. And the Salesian is an educator - something which goes well beyond simply schooling. 
    His answer then was not of the this-is-how-to-do-it variety but of the here-are-the-principles-for-you-to-work-out-how-to-do-it kind.  The other interesting feature of his response to this general issue - and this is not news if you have followed his comments in recent times - is his appeal for a 'Project Europe'.  The RM has spoken of this several times outside of the Chapter context but has strongly reinforced it now, calling on the memory of thousands of European Salesian missionaries sent since Don Bosco's time all over the world. It is now time, it would seem, for a quid pro quo.
    In the course of the morning, the RM also told the Assembly, and again this might well be known already if people have followed his role at the USG level, that the Holy Father had asked him to be part of a group which is reflecting on new manifestations of 'consecrated life' (which may not be 'religious life' as we know it). He would identify the most successful new forms of CL as having at least the following five characteristics: clear identity, bearers of something relevant (which gives them energy), sense of family and fraternity (which gives them enthusiasm and makes them attractive), deep love for the Church, and that they can be recognised as a 'movement', with all the complex working together that this implies.
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Title: australasia 2086
Subject and key words: GC26 RM Report Regions
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2086