By Bro. Amilcar D’Silva, SDB

Dili, Timor-Leste - On 4 January till 7 January 2016 the Salesians of the Vice-Province Timor-Leste & Indonesia (ITM) held the Provincial Chapter 6 (PC 6) in Don Bosco Comoro – Dili, Timor-Leste. The number of the participants was 39 – 11 participants were from the Salesian confreres of Indonesia and 28 Salesian confreres of Timor-Leste. Father Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB (Provincial) was the President of PC 6 and the moderator was Father Mario Sousa SDB.

The PC 6 began in the afternoon with the spiritual preparation to the participant s (Capitulares) on 4 January 2016 which was guided by Father Rolando Fernandes SDB, one of the senior Salesian missionaries in Timor-Leste and also member of the PC 6. Then, proceed with the report on the State of Vice-Province by the Provincial; the election of the secretaries and scrutinizers, presenting the themes for group work and discussion and choosing the members for each group work and discussion. The first day of the PC 6 ended with the prayer and good night talk by the Provincial.

On the following day the full day was filled with sessions of discussion in each group and presentation to the assembly. As everyone already knew that the two tasks to be carried out by the Provincial Chapter were: The implementation of the General Chapter 27 and The Reshaping of the Salesian presences of the Province. In line with the implementation of the GC 27, the group work and discussion done in the PC 6 of the ITM Vice-Province were:

1. Community life
2. Formation
3. Parish services
4. Youth ministry
5. Social communication
6. Economy
7. Salesian family
8. The Salesian mission in the Delegate of Indonesia.

The abovementioned of themes were discussed in the groups of 8 and were presented to the assembly for further deep discussion and for final approval through the vote.

On 7 January 2016, that was the last day of the PC 6, there was a presentation on the issue of Child Abuse Policy by Father Ilidio Correia SDB (delegate of PC 6). The Provincial addressed the assembly before the conclusion and he thanked the commission who prepared the PC 6. He appreciated the efforts of each member to do their part in the PC 6 well. The PC 6 ended at noon time.

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