Canonical Visitation

to the Ivory Coast Delegation (CI)

(August 23 – September 12, 2003)

November 15, 2003

My dear Missionaries,

We join you in thanking the Lord who has allowed us to carry out the canonical visitation of your Delegation with serenity. The visitation had been scheduled for February but political events of which everyone is aware made that impossible.

Because of ongoing problems with travel we were unable to visit your northern residences (Dianra and Marandallah). Consequently we spent more time during the Delegation assembly and  held a four-day discussion of your life and work situations. This was especially profitable for all concerned. Together we celebrated our life as Consolata Missionaries and thanked the Lord who never fails to protect us in times of difficulty and danger.  We were able to bring the Ivory Coast Mission up to date with what is going on in other parts of the Institute.  We brought up the  mission in Mongolia which has replaced the Ivory Coast as the Institute’s newest foundation. 

First we will review your situation and evaluate the contributions that emerged during this initial overview and then we will suggest some operating guidelines. This review will provide a presentation – albeit schematic – to the rest of our missionary family of who you are, what is your mission and what is the social, political and ecclesial situation in which you carry out your apostolic work.  We will confine ourselves to two aspects.

1.  An eight-year journey

You spent a whole day reviewing your eight-year long experience of missionary work in the Ivory Coast and what that involved. You all agreed that among the many positive aspects of this experience the most significant were:

-         Much effort and thought were devoted to carrying out the mandate of the Ninth General Chapter that our mission follow certain criteria: “the new style, methods and forms of the Institute’s evangelization activity” (Cf. Acts IXGC, P. 71). However difficult the implementation of this ideal may have been it was never abandoned.

-         Our option for the poor was especially evident in our seven year involvement in the Bardot quarter. The option for the poor was our constant concern and criterion in planning new openings – especially in the north. This fostered a style of missionary work that emphasized simple structures and closeness to the people.

-         Undoubtedly everyone is committed to making the IMC type of a missionary work a reality. This involves a preference for initial evangelization, closeness to the people, concern for health, education, improvement of the environment, the ministry of consolation, attention to catechists and care for the liturgy.

-         You live in a multicultural and multiethnic environment and your efforts to master the many local languages are remarkable. This is especially true of our younger confreres. This is not just compliance with our Founder’s express wishes, it reveals a genuine interest in the people, their culture and the world in which they live. In the two northern missions learning the language is indispensable if there is to be any dialogue with the local people or even embryonic contact with the Muslim world.

-         Your efforts to create meaningful, fraternal communities have had a beneficial effect on the missionary personnel; they are an effective life-witness to the surrounding Christian and non-Christian communities.

Along with these accomplishments you have mentioned the difficulties and challenges that have come up in your work. You have examined – with realism and optimism – yourselves, the Church and the world around you; you have highlighted the obstacles to be removed, the goals to be pursued and the projects that deserve greater attention from everyone involved. We will describe these issues briefly:

-         From the very beginning our charisma was not clearly understood by the local Church. We consider communion and collaboration with the local Church to be of the utmost importance but at the same time we must strive to demonstrate – more by actions than by words – that our preference for initial evangelization or working on the periphery in marginalized social milieux with simplified structures is rooted in our missionary charisma. ur work complements the ministries performed by others for the good of the local Church.

-         The Delegation is in its infancy. It has yet to establish its own pace and find the best means to move forward. It must develop greater cohesion and sharing both internally and vis-à-vis the General Directorate. On its side the General Directorate should be more attentive in providing direction without jeopardizing the juridical independence a Delegation should enjoy.

-         Although your personnel is on the whole very young,  health problems have given rise to sudden and unexpected changes which have caused a certain amount of disorientation. We realize that the mission itself is often the source of these problems. We must learn to live with these problems without ignoring or minimizing their negative effects.

-         Over time contrasting interpretations of just what “new” means in the context of the Ivory Coast mission have given rise to prolonged confrontation and disagreement within the Delegation. Your present efforts to clarify the goals of your work in this country should not short-change the special values for which the Institute admires you.

-         A new missionary frontier is opening in the north. Everyone should watch this development with interest. It is an excellent opportunity for the Delegation to engage fully in initial evangelization, to carry out the ministry of consolation among the local people and to embark on the never very easy dialogue with the Muslim world.

2.  A situation of conflict

The political events in this last year are felt heavily not only on the people and on the various social aspects, but also on the work of the missions. Like the whole country your Delegation has been torn in two. Two of your communities are in the rebel held north and three are in the south – government controlled territory. The Church’s shepherds are not silent. They are watchful and attentive in their efforts to foster greater growth in faith among the people of God in the difficult atmosphere of today’s Africa. There are certain interesting elements that emerged from your understanding of the situation in your country and in the whole of Africa that I would like to mention:

-         Even if government and opposing forces have officially reached an agreement the situation continues to be difficult and strife-torn. Practically speaking the country is divided in two and travel between these two sections is difficult. Uncertainty and fear are pervasive. Ethnic discrimination towards the numerous immigrants is growing as is Muslim suspicion of Christians. In the north the basic infrastructure is lacking and problems are exacerbated by partisan political mistrust. This situation has caused us serious problems in maintaining links between our two northern missions and the missions of San Pedro.

-         In their turn political discord has created a host of serious problems for  the local population: families have been split up;  the poor become victims of injustice and exploitation;  the population is increasingly impoverished - some even lack the basic means to survive; immorality is spreading throughout society;  the number of refugees is increasing. 

-         In the area of pastoral work problems and difficulties are on the increase:  visiting base communities is becoming more difficult; at times there is an almost total suspension of pastoral work; evangelization requires even greater attention to human welfare, solidarity, efforts at reconciliation and peace; we must help our faithful to avoid recourse to traditional religiosity – often involving magic or fetishism – in emergencies; we must persist in  proclaiming the Church’s word so that it can be a clear and certain point of reference for all the faithful.

-         The teaching of the African Church and especially the apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa and the declarations of the Ivory Coast bishops contain elements we cannot overlook in our missionary endeavor: the inculturation of the faith is of primary importance and requires that pastoral workers be committed to learning local languages, to living close to the people and to understanding their culture; local communities should be created according to the paradigm of a family – it is essential that everyone take an active part; there are two priorities in evangelization that must never be lost sight of: the formation of ecclesial base communities and the ongoing formation of he faithful; ecumenism and interreligious dialogue must be of constant concern for pastoral workers – even though these are not easily achieved; Ivory Coast Christians must be the first to show hospitality to refugees; they must cultivate good relations with immigrants and try with all their strength to create a climate of mutual respect and reconciliation.

Fixed Points

When we launched our ministry in the Ivory Coast we found inspiration in the guidelines set out by the Eighth and Ninth General Chapters. In subsequent years we could combine this initial inspiration with insights gained from prolonged contact with the country and the local Church as well as the directives of the Tenth General Chapter. These guidelines and directives came up again under consideration during the assembly that initiated this visitation and bear repeating for the sake of those who have only recently come to the Delegation. They should be seen as fixed points of reference.

Fitting In

It was our first option in the Ivory Coast, chronically and as far as impact is concerned. The most significant accomplishment in this area has been our seven-year presence in the Bardot quarter of San Pedro, but for a variety of reasons we have not been able to continue this experience.

Prolonged reflection on this experiment has led us to the conclusion that this type of involvement must continue; it should become a defining characteristic of our delegation. Our missionary work in this country and the experience hitherto acquired leads the Delegation to see “fitting in” from two perspectives:

1.       The Ideal. This is the inner motivation that moves a missionary to reduce his mission to what is simple and essential. It prompts him to cast his lot in with the very poorest and strive to understand their culture and condition of life. The missionary does his work in simplicity and collaborates willingly with others – regardless of race or creed – in their welfare and development projects.

2.       Concrete realization.  Practice makes these ideals believable. Acting on these ideals turns the option for the poor so frequently affirmed in recent General Chapters into a reality. Our presence and adherence to work methods inspired by the  Consolata Missionary charisma are the concrete expression of these ideals.

We hoped this visitation would strengthen the evangelizing impulse this intense commitment can generate in the Ivory Coast mission both now and in the future. We must find a way of combining our specific style of evangelization with the tasks that need doing in this area. “Fitting in” (total involvement, inclusion, inserzione) must be considered when it comes to drawing up your community program (PCV); it should be a factor in determining new foundations; new   missionaries coming to this circumscription should be informed that this is a specific, community priority for the Delegation.

The possibility of a service of involving presence unattached to parish work must be considered when the time comes to establish a new foundation. This sort of foundation must have the consent of the whole Delegation community and the Ordinary of the place where it is to be established.

Missionary Methodology

The methodology derives from choices we made when we came to the Ivory Coast – choices inspired by our charisma. As a result of the discussion and reflection we have done together I would define the methodology as follows:

-         Initial proclamation of the Gospel to those who do not yet know Christ. To achieve this we must devote attention to the formation and work of catechists and catechumenates; we must prepare appropriate catechetical study aids. The normal process of the catechumenate must be preceded by efforts to find new ways in establishing contact with the non-Christian world.

-         Commitment to understanding the culture of the people in whose midst we carry out our mission, using to advantage the local language, or one of them in those cases where there are several local idioms.

-         Inculturation. We must strive to inculturate the faith – especially in the areas of liturgy, Christian initiation, formation of catechists, catechesis and preparation of study aids for Christian instruction.

-         We must pay special attention to what we refer to as the “ministry of consolation.” This ministry is vital in countries where so many groups have been marginalized. It is a nature part of our work for human welfare and our involvement with the poor. 

-         The current situation of division in the country with the consequent inter-ethnic animosity requires an intense commitment to peace and reconciliation on our part. We leave it to the discernment of the community to determine appropriate pastoral measures to launch a campaign of reconciliation in those Christian communities entrusted to our care.

-         We must seek out, motivate and study ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. This is true not just with the great religions but with those traditional cults to which people are attached.  Dialogue begins with mutual respect and recognition. We must share in carrying out common welfare projects if we are to arrive at common prayer and fraternal friendshiP. God will choose the moment and the method of moving people to make a choice of conscience.

What is “new” about our presence in the Ivory Coast

The Ninth General Chapter expressed the hope that a foundation in a French speaking country would imply “newness.” The Chapter provided general guidelines about this “newness” but did not go into specific details. Our eight-year experience in the Ivory Coast make possible reflection and discernment of new ways to do missionary work. While not yet in a position to determine absolutely definitive new methods  there are three approaches you brought to our attention that will certainly succeed in the long run.

1.       Research and Study. Whoever ventures upon untrod paths must do the research necessary to determine what exactly he hopes to achieve.  In our case it would be the “new” method that will contribute to more effective missionary work. Past experience can be helpful but it is not enough. Only basic professional training can provide us with the tools we need. To discover new paths for evangelization the missionary,  now more than ever, must be equipped with intellectual curiosity, a passion for the missions and the imagination to discern the new forms of missionary work the Spirit is revealing. He must cultivate an interest in reading, research and study. The Delegation’s ongoing formation program should provide communities with exposure to current concepts of evangelization and new methods of mission work.

2.       An “African” Style Mission. The 1993 General Chapter expressed the hope that the new foundation would provide our African confreres with an outlet for missionary work on the African continent. Currently the Delegate Superior and the majority of Delegation members are Africans. We certainly hope that this circumscription would grow to maturity along intensely African lines  and  display features that reflect the evangelizing genius of Africa. It is a challenge to our African confreres. They are being called upon to draw from the experience of their Churches of origin and discover new ways to implement the pastoral guidelines of Ecclesia in Africa and the directives of the African bishops – especially those of the Ivory Coast. They should avail themselves of whatever help more experienced missionaries or experts could provide.

3.       Dialogue with the Muslim World. Our most recent General Chapter called upon IMC missionaries to establish contact and initiate dialogue with the Muslim world that is so alive on this continent. Our next foundation in Djibouti is an attempt to respond to this Chapter mandate. But this cannot be our only response. Islam is very much a part of life in the Ivory Coast – especially in the northern part of the country. One of the specific goals set for the missions of Dianra and Marandallah was contact with Islam. Missionaries should prepare themselves for this task with the appropriate reading and study. They should seek the assistance of experienced confreres or experts in this area.

Developing a sense of community

The Delegation Conference accepted the General Chapter’s directive that communities comprise three members. Putting this norm into practice will enhance the significance of common life in the Delegation’s communities;  communities will be able to create a more serene and stable environment; and prepare programs (CPV) which will pay attention not only to work but also to ongoing formation and support as well to the personnel.

There are certain guidelines we would like to call to your attention – and to the attention of all the other circumscriptions of the Institute for that matter. You are very likely already familiar with them but they bear repeating.  They are of fundamental importance for the success of our missionary enterprise:

-         Accept and help one another as brothers (Cf. BU 103, Accoglienza). Since “common life is a primary value for us” (Const. 22) see to it that differences of age and cultural background do not hinder dialogue within the community.  Diversity within the community should be a source of mutual enrichment. Use the necessary and appropriate means to cultivate communication among the communities of the Delegation especially in these times of emergency when travel is difficult and dangerous. Foster permanent formation – dedicate one day a week to it and be faithful to this commitment. Plan the day carefully and take an active part in all that goes on. Bring this up with the Delegate Superior during visitation and review the results. This community day need not be limited to permanent formation it could be an occasion for planing and reviewing common work. This day could include needed relaxation and other activities that are not part of the usual routine.

-         Two daily periods of prayer are included in the life-plan (PCV) of each community; in some cases the faithful too take part in these prayers. We have noted that you prepare these prayer services carefully and celebrate them calmly. We believe that there are occasional community recitations of the Rosary. Since this is the year of the Rosary could we not pray it together more often and when possible include the whole Christian community?

-         The roles of individuals in the local community should be clearly defined.  This promotes fraternal relations, cultivates responsibility and fosters a sense of belonging to the community. An opportune time for defining and reviewing these community responsibilities would be the moment of drawing up the community life-plan and during the Delegate Superior’s visitations. In the context of individual responsibilities within the community there should be the necessary flexibility that permits one to help a brother in difficulty or to step in and do something in times of emergency. One must avoid the attitude and expression “it’s not my responsibility.” Each one of us should review his responsibilities within the community and be ready to accept criticism with good grace.

A spirituality that brings us together

We cannot omit saying a few words on the importance of developing a spirituality that derives from our specific charisma as Consolata Missionaries;  a spirituality that meets the needs of our apostolate; a spirituality that combines a contemplative dimension with intense and zealous apostolic service on behalf of the Kingdom of God.  We are not merely workers in the missionary apostolate – we are consecrated individuals.  We have been both “called and sent” by God. Some aspects of your life and mission work turn our thoughts to observations that emerged from the Tenth General Chapter. We are convinced that these observations are appropriate – they reflect one hundred years of the Institute’s life:

-         “The absence of a lively spiritual dimension diminishes the credibility of our service to the missions.  Our limitations will become immediately apparent - our efforts will be superficial and lacking in depth. It is vital that we go back to living “the absolute of God,” a robust spirituality and a deep experience of God that will give life to our missio ad gentes” (Cf. Acts XGC p.37).

-         “The charisma involves not just the missio ad gentes but a specific way of carrying it out as well.  It includes qualities or characteristics that our Founder considered essential for a Consolata Missionary. They can be found in the Constitutions and concern spiritual emphases (nos. 12-16), virtues (nos. 18-19) and a style of evangelization peculiar to Consolata Missionaries (nos. 71-76)” (Cf. Acts XGC, p.25).

-         “Proclaiming explicitly the Gospel of Jesus Christ as our only Savior involves much more than transmitting a doctrine, morality, a combination of truths that must be believed.  Proclaiming the Gospel aims at changing people internally and prompting them to live, think and work in conformity with the evangelical ideals of the Kingdom of God.  It will create Christian communities and local Churches” (Cf. Acts XGC, p.42).

-         “The Chapter urges all our missionaries to celebrate the mysteries of our salvation with joy, active participation, fullness of understanding and spirit;  they must be committed to living out what they celebrate in faith. Celebrations should be carefully prepared with pastoral sensitivity; avoid doing things haphazardly – especially the homily” (Cf. Acts XGC, p.62).

-         “The Marian dimension vital to our spirituality must find expression in our communities. Certain attitudes are characteristic of this Marian dimension:  openness, respect for the opinions of others, cooperation, care for our brothers,  concrete acts of consolation. Each community must examine – and if necessary correct – relations among its members and determine concrete ways of implanting the attitudes listed above” (Cf. Atti XGC, p.52).

The Identity and Life of the Delegation

Our Ivory Coast community began its life in January 1996.  The number of its members has grown continually and the General Directorate constituted it a Delegation on February 16, 2001. Frequent personnel changes in recent years have perhaps hindered harmonious growth and a genuine community participation in the decision-making process. Three years after its juridical establishment as a Circumscription our visitation has revealed the need to define certain aspects of Delegation life more precisely, to determine the work of the Council in more detail and to identify means that will allow all the missionaries an active role in its life and planning.

We will consider certain elements regarding the nature of the Delegation that need further clarification in order to facilitate the work and improve relations within the Circumscription and with the General Directorate.

The nature of the Delegation

The Delegation is in its infancy: its personnel is limited and its works are only beginning. During the visitation and after careful consideration we decided to make another foundation.  The Delegation now consists of five communities:  three are in the diocese of San Pedro (Sago, Grand Bereby, Grand Zatry) and two are in the diocese of Odienné (Dianra and Marandallah). For the next few years both the Delegation Council and the General Directorate should concentrate on solidifying these communities and ensuring the presence of three missionaries in each. 

Like every other Delegation the Ivory Coast has special links to the General Directorate. The General Directorate follows closely and facilitates development in the Delegation;  it seeks to avert the problems that arise from reduced personnel. 

Article 144 of the Constitutions defines the limits of the Delegation Council’s authority and independence. For any other decision affecting the life and work of the Delegation the Superior Delegate must approach the General Directorate.  The presence and proximity of the Continental Councilor should facilitate this mediation.

For its part the General Directorate is committed to paying close attention to  progress in the Delegation. It does this through the Continental Councilor, annual visitations and involvement in all decisions effecting new foundations or the restructuring of existing communities.

The Superior Delegate and his Council

The nature and function of both these institutions are analogous to similar institutions in Regions. By common accord there were certain aspects of Superior Delegate and Council responsibilities and work we examined more closely. We bring them to your knowledge:

-         The Superior Delegate can choose any community he wishes as his headquarters as long as it allows easy access to his confreres and provides the communications usually available – telephone and e-mail.

-         At the beginning of every year the Superior Delegate should draw up plans for the coming year. The plans should include the most important events of the year as well as the main permanent formation projects. These plans should be approved by the Council and then made known to the entire Delegation community.  They serve as a model for individual community plans.

-         Representation of both the northern and southern regions in the Council is desirable. The annual plan should determine how often the Council will meet.  The Superior should hold brief meetings with the councilors whenever he deems it opportune. All of the Council’s decisions and directives should be made known to everyone in the Delegation as soon as possible – always respecting confidentiality when this is important.

-         The Regional Conference expects the Superior to visit every community four times a year. These should be extended visits allowing the Superior to have a clear idea of what the life and work of the missionaries is like. On these occasions each missionary should have a chance to speak privately with the superior and explain his individual life and work programs.

Offices and their responsibilities

The Directorate of a Delegation is assisted in its work of leadership by the following offices:

-         Administration Office. The Circumscription Administrator directs this office in accord with Constitutional norms and the Directory for the Ad- ministration of Property. He is directly subject to the Superior Delegate and his Council.

It is up to the Administrator to prepare the annual budget and balance sheet;  both require the approval of the Delegation authority.  It would be good for all of the confreres to be made aware of these documents. The Administrator should pay periodic visits to local communities to make sure the books are in order and up to date. He should help the missionaries to study and prepare projects to present to international aid agencies.

The Administrator is in charge of all ordinary acts of administration;  he is also responsible for those extraordinary acts of administration not included in the budget. These latter acts should be approved by the Superior and his Council on an ad hoc basis.

With the approval of the Superior Delegate the Administrator should present for discussion by Delegation members all financial affairs that merit common consideration. These presentations should occur during periodic community assemblies.

-         Justice and Peace Commission.The missionary in charge of this commission should maintain close contact with confreres in other circumscriptions on this continent and be ready to assist local communities to launch concrete projects. He should take advantage of  Delegation meetings to learn about current projects, propose new possibilities and discuss the future.

Special attention should be paid to the Country’s  current plight.  There is enormous need for reconciliation among the various ethnic groups.  Relationships have been strained and damaged by politics or partisanshiP.  Respect for human rights has suffered – frequently people do not avail themselves of their basic rights either because they are afraid or they are uninformed.

-         Mission and Vocation Promotion. Leadership in this area should be  entrusted to a confrere who will – among his other responsibilities – maintain contact with other Consolata circumscriptions on the continent. Our presence in this country is still in its infancy so we must concentrate on the Christian communities in the dioceses where we work; to keep alive the missionary reality of the Church and the zeal and the missionary drive of its members.

Vocation promotion is a integral part of all youth work. We must make young people aware of all the possible vocations in the Church especially consecrated life.  We do not believe the time is ripe for accepting and training young men who want to be Consolata Missionaries.

Permanent Formation

The well-being of missionaries and the success of our mission work depend to a large extent on permanent formation; this is an area of great importance for all circumscriptions.  The Superior Delegate and his Council are responsible for promoting and coordinating permanent formation in the Delegation.

The visitation revealed that missionaries are genuinely interested in permanent formation and would like more attention paid to it. We would suggest the following guidelines for responding to this need:

-         Given the geographical dispersal of our communities and the difficulty of communicating inside the country, the Delegation ought to meet twice a year for an extended period of about twelve days. These occasions would provide sufficient time for living and sharing life together. There would be ample time for long-range substantial permanent formation projects and in-depth discussions of the problems we encounter as missionaries.

-         Every formation project should be carefully prepared; all should be informed of these projects sufficiently in advance; these encounters should be held in facilities distant from our work places and spacious enough to accommodate all who attend. The laudable practice of bringing younger missionaries together for formation experiences geared to their needs should continue.

-         Continue to take advantage of the projects that originate in the General Directorate – both on the continental level and on the Institute level. The General Directorate would be happy to assist in recruiting experts for these extended formation periods.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of this report we realize that there are so many other subjects we discussed together during the visitation.  Our first four days together discussing our past and current work in the Ivory Coast was a special gift of God. We were made immediately aware of the problems of greatest concern to our members along with the challenges they confront. All our confreres displayed the courage and enthusiasm to face these problems – they responded as genuine missionaries.

You have chosen Blessed Allamano as the protector of your Delegation.  We entrust you to his paternal protection and recommend his life as an example to be followed. If you are faithful to his charisma our work in this wonderful country – currently so sorely tried – cannot fail to produce the results outlined in the Tenth General Chapter. Our whole missionary family is confident of your success.

We are grateful to each of you for your gracious hospitality. Special thanks go to the Superior Delegate, Father Zachariah King’aru who facilitated our meetings with all of you. Thanks go also to the Delegation Council that spent so much time with us explaining your situation and helping us to understand your life. May Mary, the Consolata, the Mother of all Consolation, bless you and intercede for this country that seeks lasting peace in justice and fraternity.

Father Piero Trabucco, imc

(Father General)

Father Norberto Ribeiro Louro, imc

(Continental Councilor)