We can't love what we don't know - SDB Report 2020
Valdocco, Turin, 3 march 2020 -- When we look back on the first two weeks of our 28th General Chapter probably the most striking image was one afternoon when the Rector Major was, together with his Vicar and another 5 General Councillors for the Sectors, replying to the 130 questions about his Report coming from all 7 Regions. This 'FAQ' session is traditionally a follow-up to the Report on the State of the Congregation during the last 6 year period. After two full days of reports, the 7 regional groups have an opportunity to analyse the Report and prepare any kind of open questions to the successor of Don Bosco and his general councillors.
Most of the EAO delegates appreciated a genuine, passionate, open and transparent way of answering the numerous questions. The questions are the fruit of personal and group study of the SDB statistics 2020, the reports by each sector general councillor (Formation, Youth Ministry, Social Communication, Missions, Economy). Also two regional councillors (Mediterranian and Southern America), Vicar of the RM and the Procurator General were involved in the reponses.
A few highlights from the very intense FAQ session:
- Our Congregation is like a living human body - some parts are growing (3 regions) and some parts are diminishing (4 regions)
- Vocation culture and accompaniment was among the most interested parts: in some regions strong need to move from recruitment to vocation culture
- Religious discipline related questions were also answered in detail and in a very transparent matter (both in personal and administrative field)
- What are the root causes why we are losing our credibility? - When our primacy of God suffers due to activism, haste in liturgy or lack of meditation
- Missionary vocation ad gentes is not yet clear to many superiors - underlined the importance of 'Salesian Missionary Formation' (ed 2013)
- Youth ministry questions focused on vocation ministry, accompaniment and protagonism of the young people
- Ongoing renewal of our Salesian consecrated life tempted by clericalism and thirst for power
- Personalization in formation require solid formation of mature formators...
During the last two weeks of the GC28 the Report of the RM with respective questions and answers will be part of planning for next 6 year period (2020-2026).
Related news articles:
- AustraLasia 5319 (II) Get know your family - SDB report 2020
- AustraLasia 5166 (II) Congregation is bigger than one province (RM in Macau, 2019)
- AustraLasia 4812 (II) Don Bosco is greater than you can imagine (ANS editor)