austraLasia #3392
Fun and Games
ROME: 13 March 2014 -- Well, it's not all hard work. There are fun and games! As you read on you might suspect that the fun and games occurs on and off the court at times, as might be expected at a General Chapter attempting to tackle some of the major issues today.
Perhaps from a reader's point of view the interest, though, might be focused on the process that began on Wednesday with the Juridical Commission presenting its proposals on matters put before it - length of term for RM and Councillors, the question of a second consecutive term, and the Salesian missions - whether they should be represented by a Councillor or not.
Update, first on Bolivia - La Paz
As suggested yesterday, details were very sketchy, and not entirely correct. Fr David Bellido survived the collapse of the camopy over the sports stadium, but was injured, along with a Salesian Sister. One young person was killed, many injured. If you understand Spanish you could follow a local news broadcast on the tragedy.
Proposals by the Juridical Commission - and procedures from here on
The Juridical Commission presented three main proposals on Wedensday. The procedure now is that these will be opened up for discussion on Thursday 13 March and a straw vote taken. This is usual procedure - it allows for full discussion, then a vote is taken which gives an indication of where the Assembly is moving on the issue. As a result of that vote the Commission concerned can then be asked to reformulate its proposal - or look at further implications.
The matters taken up by the Juridical Commission are to do with what GC26 requested - a study of the animation structures and central government and its composition. Here are the JC's proposals:
A. The 27th general Chapter confirms the possibility of electing the Rector Major only for a second consecutive term [of six years], as envisaged by C. 128.
B. The 27th general Chapter confirms the possibility of electing the Vicar of the Rector Major, Sector Councillors, Regional Councillors only for a second consecutive term [of six years] in the same role, as envisaged by C. 141.
The 27th general Chapter confirms that the General Council be made up of theVicar, Councillors in charge of special Sectors and Regional Councillors in charge of groups of Provinces, as envisaged by C. 133 §1.
The 27th general Chapter, while reaffirming that the proc,amation of the Gospel to peoples who still do not know it is one of the characteristic purposes of the Salesian vocation (C. 6), maintains that its promotion can be entrusted – in its respective areas of responsibility - to the General Councillor for Formation, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, to the Economer General. So the role of Genmeral Councillor fro the Missions would be suppressed along with C. 138 which defines the role.
Much of this, and understandably the final proposal lsited above, will come in for vigorous discussion today. The JC does not simply make proposals - it offers reasons why it makes such a proposal. They are too lengthy to report here. Let's see where it goes in discussion.
Discussion on the core theme items - mystics, fraternal life, servants of the young
This is ongoing and commissions report their discussions each day.
****************
Brief news from around the Region
Japan
Fr Cipriani (Prov. Japan) has finally arrived at the Chapter - he was delayed for health reasons, undergoing chemotherapy.
The Vatican has put on a concert for Tsunami victims (Japan). Chapter members were also asked to continue to pray for Japan in this regard.
KOR has sent its first missionary to GIA. He has already arrived - Fr Joseph Lee Chun Seob.
The Japanese Bishops Conference is only the second such Conference to publish the results of the Vatican survey on the family and moral, pastoral issues (Germany is the other). It is interesting how this Japanese report concludes:
“In developing a pastoral orientation, it is perhaps important to recall that the only time in the gospels that Jesus clearly encounters someone in a situation of cohabitation outside of marriage (the Samaritan woman at the well), he does not focus on it. Instead, he respectfully deals with the woman and turns her into a missionary.”
VIE-MNG
The Indonesian Salesian missionary to Mongolia, Arnold Pattyona, will be ordained priest at Parañaque on 21 April, along with six others, all from FIN.
KOR
The Holy Father has confirmed that he will visit South Korea in August. The last papal visit there was by John Paul II in 1989.
Fun and Games
ROME: 13 March 2014 -- Well, it's not all hard work. There are fun and games! As you read on you might suspect that the fun and games occurs on and off the court at times, as might be expected at a General Chapter attempting to tackle some of the major issues today.
Perhaps from a reader's point of view the interest, though, might be focused on the process that began on Wednesday with the Juridical Commission presenting its proposals on matters put before it - length of term for RM and Councillors, the question of a second consecutive term, and the Salesian missions - whether they should be represented by a Councillor or not.
Update, first on Bolivia - La Paz
Proposals by the Juridical Commission - and procedures from here on
The Juridical Commission presented three main proposals on Wedensday. The procedure now is that these will be opened up for discussion on Thursday 13 March and a straw vote taken. This is usual procedure - it allows for full discussion, then a vote is taken which gives an indication of where the Assembly is moving on the issue. As a result of that vote the Commission concerned can then be asked to reformulate its proposal - or look at further implications.
The matters taken up by the Juridical Commission are to do with what GC26 requested - a study of the animation structures and central government and its composition. Here are the JC's proposals:
A. The 27th general Chapter confirms the possibility of electing the Rector Major only for a second consecutive term [of six years], as envisaged by C. 128.
B. The 27th general Chapter confirms the possibility of electing the Vicar of the Rector Major, Sector Councillors, Regional Councillors only for a second consecutive term [of six years] in the same role, as envisaged by C. 141.
The 27th general Chapter confirms that the General Council be made up of theVicar, Councillors in charge of special Sectors and Regional Councillors in charge of groups of Provinces, as envisaged by C. 133 §1.
The 27th general Chapter, while reaffirming that the proc,amation of the Gospel to peoples who still do not know it is one of the characteristic purposes of the Salesian vocation (C. 6), maintains that its promotion can be entrusted – in its respective areas of responsibility - to the General Councillor for Formation, the General Councillor for Youth Ministry, to the Economer General. So the role of Genmeral Councillor fro the Missions would be suppressed along with C. 138 which defines the role.
Much of this, and understandably the final proposal lsited above, will come in for vigorous discussion today. The JC does not simply make proposals - it offers reasons why it makes such a proposal. They are too lengthy to report here. Let's see where it goes in discussion.
Discussion on the core theme items - mystics, fraternal life, servants of the young
This is ongoing and commissions report their discussions each day.
****************
Brief news from around the Region
Japan
Fr Cipriani (Prov. Japan) has finally arrived at the Chapter - he was delayed for health reasons, undergoing chemotherapy.
The Vatican has put on a concert for Tsunami victims (Japan). Chapter members were also asked to continue to pray for Japan in this regard.
KOR has sent its first missionary to GIA. He has already arrived - Fr Joseph Lee Chun Seob.
The Japanese Bishops Conference is only the second such Conference to publish the results of the Vatican survey on the family and moral, pastoral issues (Germany is the other). It is interesting how this Japanese report concludes:
“In developing a pastoral orientation, it is perhaps important to recall that the only time in the gospels that Jesus clearly encounters someone in a situation of cohabitation outside of marriage (the Samaritan woman at the well), he does not focus on it. Instead, he respectfully deals with the woman and turns her into a missionary.”
VIE-MNG
The Indonesian Salesian missionary to Mongolia, Arnold Pattyona, will be ordained priest at Parañaque on 21 April, along with six others, all from FIN.
KOR
The Holy Father has confirmed that he will visit South Korea in August. The last papal visit there was by John Paul II in 1989.
