(Rome, October 15 – 20, 2001)

 Final Message

 During the IMC Regional Administators’ Meeting in Rome (October 15 – 20, 2001) we examined a variety of problems concerning the Institute’s finances.  At the end of this meeting we felt the need to send a message to all our confrères.

 During our meeting we became ever more conscious of the fact that our work as administrators is not limited to book-keeping and administration;  in the Institute there are many different attitudes and mentalities concerning the use of our resources; it is our task to keep alive the spirit risen from the heart of Allamano and by him transmitted to his missionaries.

 In the light of our experience we can affirm that Providence has aided and continues to help our missionary and apostolic work.  With gratitude to Divine Providence we can also affirm that the majority of our confrères live their missionary vocation in an authentic spirit of poverty and put the resources God has given them to good use. 

Having noted this positive elements, we feel it is our duty to call to the attention of our Major Superiors certain negative attitudes that should be corrected.  It is imperative that certain economic practices be examined if we are to avoid aggravating current problems or  facilitating future mistakes and abuses.

We believe it is important to consider the following aspects that emerged from our examination:

1.  During initial formation our young people should be taught the spirit of religious poverty and the correct use of our resources that corresponds to the obligations of their consecration and our Constitutions.

2.  Confrères with perpetual or temporary vows should be encouraged to be frank and candid in their monthly expense reports on the use of money – including pocket money.  If possible receipts should be attached to these reports.  This request should not be seen as a lack of confidence in our confrères but simply in conformity with the usual way of presenting expense reports.  Moreover this is part of our vow of poverty and teaches us the responsible use of possessions.

3.  In certain places pocket money is considered a sort of salary that must be given to the missionary at fixed intervals.  We would remind everyone of what the General Council said in this regard – Bollettino  69, pp. 39-40.  These directives are not just valid for seminaries but for any circumstance where this practice exists.

4.  We would like to remind everyone that salaries and old-age pensions belong to the Institute and not to the individual missionary.  They should be used in a spirit of sharing our possessions and in conformity with the Constitutions.  Particular needs should be taken into consideration by the responsible Superior on a case by case basis – without creating unfortunate precedents.

5.  Masses.  Unfortunately reports of Masses celebrated or to be celebrated are not always accurate and  do not reach the regional administrations in a timely fashion.  Everyone should be made sensitive to the importance of Mass offerings.  They are an import resource for maintaining the members of the Institute and represent an obligation to our benefactors.

6.  Common Funds.  We feel it is necessary to make the practice of “common funds” more uniform throughout the Institute.  There are currently too many different practices that cause confusion for individuals and inaccuracy in book-keeping. 

7.  We would suggest that the General Council translate the book “Poveri per arricchire gli altri” at least into English.

In conclusion we recall the teaching of our Founder on the spirit of poverty.  He affirmed unequivocally: “It’s true, you know, that the future of our whole community depends on the observance of this virtue and vow of poverty;  whenever we begin to fail in this regard our whole spirit will disappear […].  I am convinced that if our community,  our Institute, sticks to these norms it will always move forward.  Woe unto us if there should come a time when these rules are no longer observed.”  (Poveri per arricchire gli altri, p. 64).

Thank you for hearing us out.  We greet you in the Consolata.

Fr. Marco Marini (General Administrator)

and the IMC Regional Administrators