austraLasia #2108

Habemus papam (SC) but there's still the question of YM

ROME: 27th March 2008 --  Yes, 'habemus papam' as far as social communications is concerned - Filiberto Gonzalez, from the Interamerica Region and more precisely from Mexico-Guadalajara.  You can read up about him from ANS.  The 'team' is happy, I mean the comms team, and that matters a lot, since as a team, and I say this proudly, we are possibly the best and certainly the biggest, of all existing teams!  'Nuf sed! Certainly, all the team was standing at the back to welcome Filiberto in, and the Rector Major immediately commented on that before popping the question to FG. The Rector Major also paid tribute to Bishop Tarcisio Scaramussa for the quality of his leadership and his quality as a Councillor.
    But now there's the question of the rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick, and in case cricket lovers see the reference to the hat trick, you might be surprised that this one is going to an unprecedented fourth innings.  Any comments from here on are personal ones and do not represent the view of the management, but it seems that there is a battle royal in place. Still and all, it will sort itself out by lunchtime.  Then comes Missions and that too will be interesting.  Inevitably, it seems, the discernment for Regions will now take on an extra flavour.
    What's behind this YM issue?  Even though the leader of the discernment, Fr Arnaiz, did say 'you Salesians don't fully appreciate what you really have with your charism for youth ministry' (or words to that effect; I'm paraphrasing), I don't think that's quite accurate - the fact is that Salesians, as represented by the Chapter, want to consider the matter as a core one, and therefore are keen to choose someone who can lead the Congregation in this sector. That's one comment.  A second is that, as it happens, no one person is emerging who has all the diverse expectations of the group - and that's really a third comment tucked in there: there's not one monolithic model of Salesian youth ministry, even though we might have been led to think that there was - or should be - over many years.
    This Chapter is notable for, amongst others, its African presence, and with 25 years under their belt and native-born Africans present, they have something to offer.  We know too that our region can hold its head up in youth ministry, and so can South India, North Europe... other regions, and there you have it!  The Holy Spirit will take up the role of magician and bring the rabbit out of the hat....and no doubt people will sit back pleased with the result.  But it's agonising work and not only have they gone for a fourth straw vote but gone into commissions as well (optional) to give people a chance to vent a little in smaller groups. They could also have gone straight to a vote - it's not so much that there are different models of youth ministry out there but different models of democracy as well!
    I think it would be correct to say that whatever decision is made for YM it will not directly affect the Missions decision.  But as often happens, with Region decisions made last of all, earlier decisions have a bearing on them.  The one extra factor there, though, is that regions like ours that have developed a good sense of working together, usually come up with solutions.
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Title: australasia 2108
Subject and key words: SDB General GC26 elections
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2108