General Chapter -- 9th English Report

The following is a summary of the activities of the 20th General Chapter on Tuesday, May 27. Those reading these summaries are reminded that the chapter also maintains a web page at: http://www.scj.org

*****

As they do most days, delegates began their first session with morning prayer and the approval of the previous day's minutes. The chapter then turned its attention to the motion submitted on Monday regarding the election of the superior general before Friday's audience with the pope.

The linguistic groups reported on their discussions of this motion. Opinions varied greatly. Some said that they thought an early vote would disrupt the rhythm of the chapter. Discussion of the Global Strategy needs to take place, said one group, before a person can be elected to lead that strategy. Others said that since the chapter is representing the congregation as a whole in their meeting with the Holy Father, it is irrelevant who is superior general. However, there were those who felt just as strongly that the congregation should be able to present its newly-elected superior general to the Holy Father at that meeting.

Originally though, said one of the groups in its report, the meeting with the pope was scheduled for the first week of the chapter. If the Holy Father had been able to accommodate this, the delegates would have certainly gone before the elections, so why should this be an issue now?

Fr. Bressanelli shared his own thoughts, stating that he believes what is important "is that we go to the Holy Father as a congregation." Even if the election for the superior general was held early, he said that he didn't like the idea of presenting the superior general without a council. "I believe we should proceed with the schedule as planned."

Following the general's comments, the chapter voted by electronic ballot not to bring forward the election of the superior general before it is currently scheduled (Saturday, May 31).

Fr. Bressanelli then discussed the delegates' next task. At the end of yesterday's sessions, the chairpersons of the small groups briefly met with the Steering Committee. During this meeting, they discussed the possibility of meeting in geographic groups as well as other methods of discussion. While they agreed that there was merit in geographic meetings, they felt that at this time, the linguistic groups would be more appropriate. At a later point in the chapter, delegates will meet in regional groups.

To prepare for today's linguistic meetings, the moderators compiled the written reports from the linguistic groups concerning the elements which they felt must be a part of the Global Strategy. The topics highlighted by the groups included: mission, sharing/communion/collaboration, social commitment, formation, government, vocations, Dehonian family, and the youth apostolate.

A copy of the moderators' synthesis of the linguistic group reports was distributed in three languages (French, Italian and English). The topics from the synthesis would be divided between the linguistic groups for discussion in the next session. Because issues related to the governing structures of the congregation need to be resolved before elections can take place, each group was to discuss topics concerning government. Added to that, the groups were each assigned another issue, so that all eight issues would be discussed by at least two groups. If the small groups had time to tackle a third issue, they were welcome to do so.

Concerning each topic addressed, Fr. Bressanelli asked the groups to list "viable and significant priorities" to present to the rest of the chapter. In establishing priorities, Fr. Bressanelli said that the delegates needed to "make operational choices that will lead to commitment and action in the congregation." He asked that no topic have more than three priorities listed.

The delegates then spent the next two sessions meeting in linguistic groups. At the end of the day, they gathered in plenary session to report on their discussions concerning the governmental structures of the congregation.

Most of the groups felt that changes need to be made in the governance of the congregation. Several suggested that the number of general councilors be increased so that the council could be more present to the provinces and regions and interact more directly with the commissions. Some believed that if more councilors were added, these councilors should be chosen from geographic regions. Taking this one step further, another group suggested that the provinces and regions could work together in zones and that a general councilor would then preside over a council representing the zone.

It was also suggested that the central government be strengthened to better implement the tasks asked of it. It was noted that the commissions have not been as effective as they could have been and that perhaps they too should be given more authority -- this could be done by having the commissions chaired by general councilors.

One group suggested that an ad hoc committee be established "to evaluate the structures of government at all levels -- general, regional, provincial and local." The committee would complete its report in time for the next congregational meeting of provincial superiors. In light of this proposal, they further suggested that the current commissions be suspended and that the council be maintained at four members. During the discussion period following the reports, it was suggested that the General Chapter create a way for the recommendations of the committee to be implemented before the next chapter.

Many agreed that further study done by such a committee would be beneficial. However, there was concern that major governmental changes should not be done by a committee but by the General Chapter.

One delegate asked to hear the thoughts of the present councilors -- do they believe that extra councilors are needed? Each spoke briefly.

All agreed that the past six years have been very busy. One smiled and said that he "hasn't worked so hard since he was in the novitiate." Another said that he felt inadequately prepared to address the issues of some of the provinces and regions he was assigned. All agreed that a councilor could not possibly take on more tasks than are now asked of him. However, one did say that the workload of the general councilors could be reduced. There is much work, he said, which could be done by others -- SCJs and hired staff. This is a choice that must be kept in mind.

One delegate expressed his preference for the ad hoc committee. He is concerned that while the congregation's numbers are declining, the chapter is planning to "add more to the top." "Perhaps we should be more creative," he said. "Perhaps we are taking the wrong approach -- this needs to be studied."

"To vote on a number (of delegates) makes no sense," said another SCJ. "The number of councilors depends on what kind of government we want and what we want that government to do." That, said the councilor, is what needs to be discussed first.

Time was running out, so the discussion came to an end. Before breaking for the day, the moderator suggested that the chapter prepare to address three motions it had in regard to government. Several issues concerning these motions needed to be clarified, so further discussion of them was tabled until the next day's sessions.

Mary Gorski
mgiornal@scj.org
Rome, Italy