PART THREE
OTHER DECISIONS

Continents
Our missionary family “as a whole … constitutes a single entity; it is ordinarily governed by the Superior General and his Council” (Const. 102). “The context of our Institute, which is becoming more diversified geographically and culturally, should be marked by a greater decentralization and participation, according to the principle of subsidiarity.” (98)

Working Proposals
- Organize a continental assembly before the celebration of Region Conferences. The Superior General, the Vice-Superior General, the Continental Councilor, the Regional Superior and Vice-Superior and two missionaries from these areas (formation, AMV, Justice-Peace-Environment, Apostolate …) will take part in a general planning session based on the conclusions of the Chapter and the needs of the Continent (Cf. 100.1);
- Continue continental meetings for Region Superiors organized by the Councilor (Cf. 100.2);
- The Continental Councilor while remaining resident in Rome will be an “animator” for the continent: he will coordinate activities and act as a liaison between the Regions and the General Government in the area of assignments, replacements and basic formation (Cr. 100.3-4);
- The Continental Councilor will keep in touch with the Consolata Sister responsible for the same continent (100.5).

New Foundations
In compliance with the directives of the Eleventh General Chapter the General Government will study the possibility of opening new foundations (Cf. 102).


America
Foundation in Mexico for AMV and pastoral collaboration (ad gentes) with the local Church.
- The General Government in agreement with the Region Superiors of America will make this foundation within two years;
- The personnel involved will be taken from those already present in the Regions of the continent.

Europe
Opening in an Eastern European country for the purpose of AMV and re-evangelization.
- In agreement with the Superiors of Europe and in dialogue with the Consolata Sisters the General Government will make this foundation within three years;
- In 2006 the General Government will appoint a study committee to choose a mission area; the committee will take advantage of the information gathered in previous trips to Eastern Europe.

Asia and Africa
Study the possibility of new foundations in Asia and Africa
- The General Government in dialogue with the General Government of the Consolata Sisters will study the possibility of making a new foundation in Africa preferably in Guinea-Bissau; a new foundation in Asia will also be considered;
- During its second three year period the General Government will appoint a study committee to gather useful documentation for presentation at the next General Chapter.

Ridimensiamento (Downsizing)
The Chapter Acts state: “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.” (104.5).

Working Proposals
- Study in depth the situation prevailing in the Regions with a view to reassigning personnel:

 To increase or decrease the number of confrères in a particular Region;
 To make personnel available for new assignments ad gentes.

- “Within the year 2008, the communities should be constituted of at least three members.” (104.4);
- After hearing opinions expressed in the Consulta decide whether it might not be opportune to close one of the current Regions;
- Insist that Regions make clear contracts with 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.” (104.7)

Distribution of Personnel
The suggestions collected in the various working proposals of the XI General Chapter (Cf. 102; 104.6) should serve as a guideline and aid to the General Government in the assignment of personnel. The following priorities must be borne in mind:
- New foundations planned by the Chapter;
- Basic formation;
- Mission and Vocation Promotion (AMV).

Working Proposals
- Insist that the Regions prepare a clear and courageous downsizing (ridimensionamento) plan during their regional conferences;
- Ask each Region to draw up a clear and concise regional program of missionary service in harmony with our ad gentes aspirations;
- Reaffirm the principle adopted in the Tenth General Chapter: each missionary should be ready for replacement after nine years work in a given Region.

General Government Publications

“Da Casa Madre” (Cf. 112)
The XI General Chapter listed various reasons why “Da Casa Madre” no longer serves its purpose as an instrument of communion and information. By March 2006, the General Government will appoint a committee to study the following possibilities:
- Keep and entrust to the Italian Region a newsletter similar to the existing one. It will be sent to Italian relatives, friends and benefactors. A copy will also be sent to every community of the Congregation.
- Create a new newsletter that will be sent – via internet – to all our confrères.

Other Publications
The General Government will launch a study of all its publications; it will take advantage of the contributions of the continental assemblies and analyze these publications in all aspects: contents, cost, translations, quantity, mode of distribution, etc.

Assunzione di Responsabilità
In accordance with the Chapter Acts (Cf. 107) the General Government:
- Will present to Region Superiors the definitive text of “Assunzione di Responsabilità” to be translated into the various languages in consultation with local ecclesiastical courts;
- Will make all our confrères aware of the importance of this Act;
- Will see that all our Missionaries and our young men at the time of their Perpetual Profession sign this document; this includes all those who signed the previous document which will be destroyed and replaced by the current declaration.

Vacations
With regard to vacations in one’s home country:
- We reaffirm the Chapter’s decision that “holidays may usually take place every three years and last three months. Students of our international theologates go back home for holidays after three years.” (105)
- We ask the Regions to plan their missionaries’ vacations in a way that does not undermine our missionary service; they should also bear in mind the witness of poverty.