austraLasia

ALA_5331

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...

Some sector councillors prepared their responses with many clear details (formation, economy) and with open invitation to meet in personal way any questions out of the box after this session. For the 90 present provincials this 'exercise' might be a powerful inspiration in how to make the dynamics of their provincial chapters more concrete and effective . But for all participating delegates of GC28 it was a great opportunity to get to know more deeply the dynamics of the worldwide congregation and love our global family more!

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).