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Other Decisions Print E-mail
Written by Consolata.org   
Tuesday, 07 February 2006
Besides the two preceding documents, the XI General Chapter has deemed opportune to take other decisions or give directives on some particular points.

102. New openings

1. Europe

The General Government shall make a new mission opening in a country of Eastern Europe, with the purpose of AMV and re-evangelization. This opening shall take place within the first three years following the Chapter. This will be done in union with the Superiors of the European regions, and in dialogue with the Consolata Missionary Sisters.

2. America

Within two years, in accord with the Superiors of the regions of the Americas and with personnel possibly from the continent, the General Government shall open a new prpesence in Mexico for the purpose of AMV and pastoral collaboration (ad gentes) with the local church.

3. Asia and Africa

During the coming six years a study should be done on the opportunity of a new opening in Asia and Africa. In the latter case the preferred country should be Guinea Bissau, where the Consolata Missionary Sisters are already working, to be to be carried out eventually after the next General Chapter.

103. EUROPE

AMV is the paramount commitment of the European Regions, but the personnel for this task is scarce. In fact only 8% of the perpetually professed members of the Institute between 30 and 40 years of age work in Europe. They are of both European and non-European extraction, the latter ones being predominant. Therefore, in accord with the request of those interested in this, the Chapter asks the General Government to “balance better this percentage”, by appointing European animators to the Regions of the continent.

Europe performs other essential tasks: assures in a consistent fashion economic solidarity with the missions, cares for and assists in a dignified manner the sick and elderly confreres, manages important institutions (Koelliker Hospital, Hotel Pax, etc.). Even these institutions need prepared and qualified personnel.

The regions of Europe are also engaged in missionary works that are ad gentes more in the cultural sense than in the geographic sense, especially among the immigrants and in areas which are socially difficult.

Greater attention should be paid to Europe, which is a kind of social and ecclesial laboratory inasmuch as the phenomena which are happening in the continent will soon be relevant also for other regions in the world.

104. Ridimensionamento

The Chapter has noticed that the orientations given by the XGC on this topic have not produced the desired effects. Among many reasons, the following seem to be the most relevant:

a) It is difficult to separate ourselves from ties with the parishes, some of which date back to a very long time ago.
b) Agreements have not been made with the bishops.
c) There is difficulty of establishing communities that are constituted by at least three members.

The Chapter, therefore, reiterates what has been proposed in the Acts of the XGC (cf. XGC 55), and adds the following proposals:

1. The ridimensionamento ought to be agreed upon by the General Government and the Regional Governments.

2. This topic should be studied in the continental meetings, keeping in mind that choices are to be made in conformity with the priorities of our charism.

3. In the Regional Conferences a rigorous analysis should be done on the situation, and a precise program of ridimensionamento should be drawn up, especially by those regions with a significant number of communities

4. Within the year 2008, the communities should be constituted of at least three members.

5. No openings should be made in any region without closing some activity. This is true also of the new Continental openings, which must be preceded by a precise plan of ridimensionamento.

6. The ridimensionamento should never be to the detriment of activities which have priority in the Institute, like AMV and basic formation.

7. Clear agreements are to be made with the Bishops. Should an ordinary refuse to sign an agreement, the competent Superior is to send him a “unilateral declaration”, which contains the proposed content of the agreement that is to be carried out in the established time.


105. Vacation

The General Directory has been altered on the topic of vacation. According to the new formulation number 25.3 reads as follows:

“Missionaries who are abroad periodically return home for a period of rest, to spend some time with their relatives and their community of origin. Before going on leave, they should plan their holidays with the provincial Superior: they should ask for any required permission and plan for possible renewal course(s) and medical check-up. When on holidays, they should be available for mission animation, in accordance with the requests and guidelines of their home province.
These holidays may usually take place every three years and last three months. Students of our inernational theologates go back home for holidays after three years.”

106. Postulation

The Chapter recognizes with joy the animation work carried out by the Office of Postulation, for the Institute as well as for the Christian communities, through preaching and the publication of materials.

The magazine “Giuseppe Allamano, dalla Consolata al mondo” is an excellent means for spreading the knowledge of our Father Founder to a huge public in Italy. All our mission magazines ought to publish a yearly insert on Blessed Allamano, using the information and articles of the Italian magazine. Possibly it should be published on the occasion of the Founder’s annual feast. These and other possible publications should aim at making the Founder known and promoting devotion to him.

The volume “Spiritual Life” should remain as it is at present, but other updated publications could be envisioned which contain writings of Allamano on various topics, showing his charismatic ways and how his style of life is relevant to modern spirituality.

The Chapter encourages the gathering of documents regarding special missionaries who highlight the charism of the Founder and can be presented as witnesses of mission. The Office of Postulation should continue to study the possibility of beginning canonical processes of such missionaries.


107. Declaration of responsibility

As requested by the Consulta 2002, the Chapter has reexamined the “declaration of responsibility” which is to be submitted to all the confreres for their signature. A first edition has already been drafted which several of the confreres have signed.

The Chapter has reconsidered the whole issue especially looking at the juridical implications, and has decided to insert some statements in the General Directory, while other statements have been incorporated into another declaration, which is to be perfected after proper consultation with experts. The General Government will then submit the final text to the Superiors of the Regions for adaptation to the existing laws of their respective countries, following consultation with local experts. The translation of the text should be examined by a competent ecclesiastical lawyer of the local tribunal.

All the missionaries, and the students in formation at the time of their perpetual profession, should sign the declaration of responsibility, including those who have already signed the previously proposed declaration, which is abrogated by the new one.


108. Additions to the General Directory

After Number 49 of the Constitutions, the two following numbers will be added:

49.1 The mobile goods and the money, in whatever way received and invested, which are in possession of the missionary at the moment of death, belong exclusively to the Institute.

49.2 The burial of the missionary will take place in the country where he dies.


109. Ongoing Formation

In the coming six years the General Government will organize two renewal courses for adult members.

110. First mission appointment

Those who have received the first mission appointment, while they await the moment of going to the country to which they have been assigned, should be involved in some activities of the Institute either in their region of origin or in the region where they did their studies.

For other procedures regarding this type of situation the “Orientations” 91.3. of the Ratio Formationis are to be followed.


111. Cultural heritage

To pay attention to the cultural heritage of the peoples and collect their memories has been a very thoughtful tradition in the Institute right from its beginnings.

We are responsible for a cultural patrimony of incalculable worth in the fields of languages, ethnology, archaeology, photography, bibliography, history, art and mission, which are all fruit of the commitment of many missionaries. It is our duty to value this patrimony, and, in as much as possible, to enrich it.

Museums and libraries are like “open newspapers” to help the visitors know the cultures of the peoples and to know the missionaries who have collected such rich documentation. They are also precious instruments of AMV.

The General Chapter thanks those missionaries who have gathered this harvest of knowledge and those who have cared for this patrimony. The Chaper feels the need to establish some criteria for the guarding of this wealth, according to scientific and juridical principles.

Proposals:

The General Government is to establish a commission for the cultural heritage, made up of a person who will have responsibility for them on the general level, and other members who are to be in charge from the Regions.

During the coming six years:

1. An inventory is to be made and all the cultural and artistic goods of the Institute are to be computerized, at the general as well as the regional levels, to facilitate better access to these goods by a wider audience.

2. At the general and regional levels, the members should continue to gather, preserve and value the cultural goods of the peoples with whom we work.

3. Existing book and photo libraries and museums must be brought up to current standards so as to be accessible to everyone, and especially to the students.

4. The collaboration of experts should be used to organize these cultural spaces and to make them accessible.


112. “Da Casa Madre”

The “Da Casa Madre”, given the changed situation of the Institute, is becoming more limited in its ability to fulfill its purpose of being an instrument of communion and of information within the Institute. This due to a limited knowledge of the Italian language by a considerable number of members. Furthermore, various other means of information and communion within the Institute have increased. Another consideration is that the cost of printing and mailing of Da Casa Madre is very high.

The General Government should organize a study of this news bulletin, to consider whether it might be beneficial to:

1. Keep a similar format as it is at present, or a slightly reduced format, whose audience would be primarily the Italian parents, friends and benefactors. A copy would be mailed to each IMC community. The editing of this news bulletin would be entrusted to the Italian Region.

2. Create a new news-bulletin to be sent to all the missionaries via internet, in two or more languages, with a higher frequency of publication than the current Da Casa Madre, with fresh news, in an agile style, published under the direction of the General Government.