Day 3, Economy at the service of the Salesian Mission: 

EAO Team Visit 2017 (6)

By Our Own Correspondent

Hua Hin, Thailand, 9 March 2017 -- The two morning sessions of DAY 3 (March 9) were focused on Economy at the Service of the Mission. In the absence of the Economer General, the Rector Major himself introduced the deep reflection of Br. Jean Paul Muller send already ahead of the Team Visit to the participants: The common good, ethics, assets and administration: four pillars to navigate a complex society'.

Before the first session was shown an inspiring video clip with the story of the PDO flagship of our Region: FIS PDO in Cebu (Philippines), appreciated by many participants.

The successor of Don Bosco highlighted especially many economy & administration related issues connected to the governance in our provinces: witness of poverty, professional approach to Salesian administration at all levels, solidarity at provincial and congregational level, ethics in all of our operations and especially vision about our mission including also the economic factor.

In the rich discussion in the provincial groups emerged a large variety of experiences, with few questions (funds, investment, authorizations for constructions etc). Then the RM offered short feedback:

"We are on the right track, some provinces are faster, some slower, but there is a clear feeling that all EAO provinces are taking seriously the direction of two previous General Chapter 26 and 27 regarding administration. Then were addressed few topics:

TRANSPARENCY: During 6 years period from the RM and his Council are trying very seriously the transparency culture in our Congregation, at all level, with proper (external) auditing and other regular practices.

MISSION at the center: Economy should not determine our Mission! There should be no doubt about our identity, with a focus on charismatic preference for the poor young people.

LAY MISSION PARTNERS IN ECONOMY: Again we come back to this theme. Why do we still need Salesians as economers in our large school works? When shall we say, we put in practice this decision? Yes, we object - we have few confreres? How many of the confreres are Salesian priests? There are not enough reliable lay mission partners? We need to change our mentality, paradigm and method.

ECONOMERS who are RECTORS: This is very serious issue to this danger, it's vicious circle, that means that the same persons are doing everything, but we can never create transparency. But we need to move forward with patience.

The EAO regional coordinator for Economy, Fr. Andy Satura (FIS), being present all 11 provincial economers, two delegation economers (Mongolia and Indonesia) and PDO director (Vietnam). The working paper of Br. Jean Paul Muller is avialable on the Boscolin

After lunch followed an annual Curatorium meeting of the AUL - Melbourne, Clifton Hill formation house, attended by Fr. Ivo Coelho, 6 provincials, 2 superiors of the delegations and EAO regional councilor.

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