INTERVENTIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY OF FR. JUAN E. VECCHI

The following extracts from the MINUTES of the CAPITULAR ASSEMBLIES refer to some clarifications and interventions of the Rector Major.

APPENDIX 7

Replies to questions concerning the state of the Congregation

27 February 1996

[259]

Clarifications concerning the government and central structure of the Congregation, and the way they function (n.254 of the report).

Various questions expressed opinions about the validity of the present structures as regards their functioning, or proposed to insert among the Chapter themes a discussion on the central structure of the Congregation. Fr. Vecchi gave a general response rather than answer each question individually.

By the central structure of the Congregation, is meant the fundamental roles which make up the General Council: Rector Major, Vicar General, the Departments and Regions. A problem arises over the relationship between Departments and Regions. N.254 of the Report recounts a reflection made by the General Council on the central structure and its functioning; it was made over two different periods, at the first of which Fr. Vigaṇ was present. The Council was of the opinion that the present arrangement is convenient and the best for combining communication with the different parts of the Congregation and animation of the different sectors of its life (formation, youth pastoral work, Salesian Family, communication, finances); it allows for movement, contact and reflection at national and world level, as regards the making of suggestions, production of material and assistance on the part of the Council.

There are difficulties:

  • in the practical definition of the roles of the Councillors, which need to be clarified and expressed in writing;
  • an improvement is needed in the ability to face problems of global perspective by spending more time together and overcoming a sectorial concept of the role of each one;
  • we must aim at a more unified programme thanks to the Department Councillors being able to remain longer at headquarters; this would allow us to avoid overlapping in common areas or sectors which are already looked after at provincial or national level.

As regards the proposal to discuss again the Congregation's central structure of government, Fr. Vecchi said it will be wise to keep in mind the process which led to the elaboration of the present structures at world, provincial and local level, involving considerable time for explaining the underlying reasons and in reaching a substantive agreement on the details by two thirds of the assembly. He thought that for an enterprise of such a kind an adequate preparation of the theme would be essential, so as not to lose sight of the organic vision (cf. the experiences of the 20th, 21st, and 22nd General Chapters).

Concerning the request to set up the Regions in conformity with the new geography of the Congregation, he said the need for this will be on the Chapter agenda, on the basis of a reflection made in the General Council, As regards the perspective of a fresh study of the areas of work covered by the Departments, it was pointed out that the Rector Major has the authority of easy movement among what is allotted to the various Departments, and in this sense it would be useful to have specific suggestions from the Chapter. Another problem is where to put the Department for Social Communication. On these problems the General Council has reflected without reaching any agreed decisions; the conclusions have been passed to the Moderator.

With reference to a request for an evaluation of the team visits, it is suggested that the persistence of these since 1972, with an evaluation at intervals of six years, shows that they are valid. In 1984 Fr. E.Vigaṇ presented to the GC22 the results of an evaluation of the team visits, which emphasized the following aspects, which are still the motives for their validity. The team visits are:

  • moments of communion and exchange of views,
  • times for verification and synthesis,
  • occasions for relaunching certain aspects of the previous GC,
  • periods of animation for Provincials and their Councils.

It is recognized that some elements need improvement:

  • in the choice of themes,
  • in the preparation of the Provincial Councils and General Councillors concerned.
  • in the definition of concrete guidelines to be adopted,
  • in the efforts to apply the conclusions.

The overall evaluation of the Vicar General with respect to the team visits is that they are good and sufficient, and in some cases markedly positive. They have multiple effects in many directions. We must not let ourselves be carried away by the partial aspect that they are not always immediately practical.

[260]

Concerning the significance of our pastoral presence.

A series of questions concerning Salesian identity, numerical growth and the educative originality of the parish were dealt with synthetically. There had been a gradual mental acceptance of the SGC and the GC21 and of other documents with regard to the identity of the parish, clarified also in some meetings of Regions with the Councillor for the Youth Apostolate and the Rector Major himself. There has been a gradual improvement as those responsible were gradually replaced by others with a new kind of preparation.

Elements contributing to a clearer and more practical definition of the identity of a parish are:

  • an updating of the concept of the parish (community, mission);
  • the establishing of priorities among the dimensions to be fostered in the project, among which will be those relating to education and the young;
  • a balance between parochial commitments.

The dimension needs to be readjusted concerning the excessive numerical growth of parishes, with attention to the fact that they are distributed over 88 provinces and the different motives for accepting them (pastoral experience, missionary expansion, pressing requests of bishops, and the need to provide work for certain classes of Salesian personnel).

[261]

Clarifications on the Salesian Youth Movement, and on the influence and limitations of Salesian Youth Spirituality (n.265 of the Report).

Fr. Vecchi explained that the SYM has developed as the educative and apostolic involvement of young people united by a spirituality and linked together by meetings and encounters, with an indispensable minimum of organization and structure. The results are good, even though there are evident limits in the maturing of some youngsters who risk at times getting no further than activism. This is partly due to the youth condition and partly to the ability (or lack of it) of the Salesian responsible for the spiritual accompaniment of the young members.

With regard to the statement that the Oratory runs the risk of becoming educatively insignificant, Fr. Vecchi wholeheartedly agreed, pointing out that in some oratories no project existed. no objective was aimed at, and that there was no educative rapport, involvement or content offered.

To the request for criteria for a renewed pastoral work for vocations, the Vicar General replied by referring first of all to the available Salesian literature. He emphasized the following :

  • concentrate on today's likely age groups - adolescents and young men, without neglecting pre-adolescents,
  • the commitment of the local community,
  • a favourable atmosphere,
  • accompaniment in the journey of faith,
  • meaningful experiences of prayer and apostolic involvement,
  • discernment,
  • individual follow-up in personal vocational development.

He added that good work is being done in the Congregation as regards journeys of faith which are applicable in many of the groups.

[262]

On the relationship between vocational fertility and pastoral quality, he replied that vocations are certainly a gift of God, that some contexts are difficult, that some categories of young people (drug addicts and those with other problems) are less likely prospects, and that not only pastoral activity but also the life of the community is at the origin of vocations. But it should be noted that in the text it is stated that this is a sign (not the only one) that the life of the community is an integral part of our youth pastoral work, and that when we speak of vocations we are referring to priestly and religious vocations, but to lay vocations as well.

[263]

In connection with clarifications asked for about tasks and roles offered by dioceses (n.270 of the Report), on the one hand there had been the danger of Salesians become little different from secular priests, but on the other there are many positive experiences. The criteria for accepting such work are: harmony with our charism, responsibility of the province, the urgency involved, and the proportion. Working for the local Church does not necessarily mean taking on diocesan commitments. The charism must maintain its tendency towards our own frontiers. Our relationships with dioceses have been judged 99% good. Difficulties which arise are sometimes due to the personality of the Bishop or that of the Salesian concerned, or to the manner in which our charism and presence is perceived. There remains nevertheless the need that the Salesians be actively present in the life of the local Church and become elements of communion.

[264]

Formation.

The Vicar General replied that it is not possible to provide a complete framework with intellectual responsibility on the motives of those who leave us, because of lack of sufficient data for an overall study of the phenomenon. The General Secretariat and the Formation Department have asked for a full report from the Provincial in each case together with a statement from the subject concerned, but both the one and the other are rarely received, and so we are left without sufficient material for a serious study. Moreover the research needs to be made at Regional level because the causes differ widely. From the Report it is clear that such verifications have been made in Spain, the Atlantic side of Latin America, and India.

[265]

Brothers.

It has been asked whether the so-called 'juridical equality' is one of the reasons for the falling off in coadjutor vocations, and whether the question is to be considered closed. Fr. Vecchi replied that it does not seem that the fact that the highest authority in the Congregation can be given only to priests is a fundamental obstacle. At the present moment it should be said that it is a criterion of discernment, in the sense that anyone who wants at all costs to realize a different figure of the lay religious is not meant for the Salesian Congregation. This is equally true of anyone who would want a kind of priesthood which has little in common with our community project. A further stage of reflection and discernment cannot be excluded, but light is go be sought in the charism, in the kind of community and mission and hence in the kind of guide the Congregation wants, and not in the hope that the change would result in more vocations.

A theological commission following the Synod is investigating the possibility of a third kind of Institute of consecrated life called 'mixed', which would be neither clerical nor lay, but this too emphasizes the need for each individual Institute to study more deeply its charismatic reality, the mission, community and spirituality.

[266]

Some denounce certain inadequacies in the content of ongoing formation, especially in what concerns knowledge of the youth situation and the understanding of culture. Ongoing formation is not to be identified with a course, but is the capacity of the individual to make a constant dynamic synthesis of the realities and ideas with which he interacts, on the basis of a strong spiritual foundation (which is sometimes found to be absent). A good course includes this aspect, and provides plenty of stimuli and keys for reading. This means that the contents concerning the youth condition and mission offered to communities by the various Departments or teams form part of ongoing formation. It is understandable therefore that in a certain part of the courses there should insistence on personal aspects (spirituality, sense of consecration, nature of the mission). The reasons for vocational "giving way" are to be found in this direction rather than in knowledge of the youth situation.

[267]

Salesian Family

As far as concerns the other groups beyond the Cooperators, Past-pupils and Don Bosco Volunteers, we have responsibility for communion in the Salesian Family, but no obligation for animation or spiritual assistance. We offer those services we are able to provide, in the general economy of our mission and under the responsibility of Provincials and Rectors.

The Friends of Don Bosco are a living reality, which is on the move, without structures or organisms for linkage; they have a bond in a common affection for Don Bosco. The General Chapter may want to say more about them.

Nothing has been said about possible difficulties in relations with the FMA, for reasons of honesty and sincerity: we have no serious elements for analysis, and problems are sometimes linked with individuals; in any case, such a question would have to be studied together with the FMA. Generally relationships are good, respectful and fraternal, even though we may not have found an ideal manner of collaboration in our works, and we need to recognize our need to mature in the appreciation of the original contribution of women in general and women religious. In the Report the Vicar General noted that there is good collaboration at local level where both are working in the same area.

The Common Identity Card, which had been desired for some time, is the result of various efforts made in common with other branches of the Salesian Family. It has the approval of the Rector Major and his Council. It is an authoritative instrument which is useful and capable of further improvement, realized along the lines of the Synod and of the experiences of other religious families.