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1. The
journey shared by the USG Our joint achievements:
a. The USG
Council's unity and commitment , under the attentive and
hardworking leadership of the
President, Fr. Camillo Maccise, who was elected for two successive periods of
three years, has been continuous.
The
Council's availability and commitment to hearing about situations, listening to
requests and problems, has not always been easy.
Certainly,
ways and means have been sought, attempts and efforts made, to enable the USG
to care for all the newly emerging aspects of the CL, without ever ignoring its
prophetic/evangelical commitment.
The
USG has examined what it believed to be useful and necessary for the
authenticity of the Consecrated Life, calmly and totally independently from any
other institution.
The
USG has watched over problems and implications not always known to everyone -
and it continues to do so, carrying out indispensible studies and in-depth
investigations….
Let's look at just a few outstanding points:
1995:
a.
Having
put everything into its commitment to the 1994 Synod, does its utmost to
collaborate on the Post-Synodal Document on the CL.
b.
Takes
all possible steps to create a climate that will welcome the document without
undervaluing its positive aspects, or what could be "best" for the
CL.
c.
Perceives
the appropriateness of, proposes and formulates the possibility of a
Post-synodal World Congress on the CL and takes on the task of bringing it
about, in spite of the hard work involved.
d.
Decides
that the subsequent six-monthly Assemblies in Ariccia should be dedicated to
further examination of the 1994 Synod. Is aware that the subjects to be dealt
with can no longer be treated in a general manner, but that a new method is
needed to approach the problems, stimuli and demands that are continuously
being perceived and that closely affect the very essence of the CL.
o
Revives
the Theological Commission so that it can pay careful attention to the
fundamental problems of the Consecrated Life and aid the Superiors General in
their search for the paths to be taken. We see the fruit of the Commission's
long and scrupulous work at this six-monthly Assembly here, in November 2000.
o
Maintains
contacts with the Secretariat of State to obtain a joint meeting with the Holy
Father for the Executive Councils of the USG and UISG. Our desire for this
remains constant, as do our approaches. Indeed, the idea has been put forward
that it would be beneficial if the Holy Father could meet all the Superiors
General in turn, by groups, in a way similar to the ad limina visits.
o
In
preparation for the year of the Great Jubilee, two Superiors General (Abbot
Jerome Theisen and Fr. Juan Lasso De La Vega) take on the task of collecting
suggestions and proposals for celebrating the event. It is decided that the
preparations should be made in collaboration with the UISG.
o
The
Secretariat of State, in the person of Mgr. Périsset, makes the Superiors
General aware of the problems in Eastern Europe and the USG agrees to study the
matter. A special Commission is formed, headed by Abbot Marcello VANDE VEN, O.
Praem. An open attitude towards the East has been a constant concern of the
USG… as has been shown in the various group meetings.
o
The
USG makes an importunate and active contribution to the document
"Collaboration between Institutes of Formation".
o
At the
meeting between the USG and the UISG in May, the USG suggests a Congress of
Young Religious, to be held in October 1996. It in fact takes place in the week
of 29 September-4 October 1997.
o
In
view of our excellent experiences at the 1983 Congress of Superiors General,
another such Congress is suggested and approved for 1998.
o
In
June, Br. José Pablo Basterrechea, FSC, concludes his mandate as Secretary of the
USG. Br. José Pablo was a large and important figure in the USG, first as a
member of the Executive Council, during his period as a Superior General, then
as a hardworking and far-seeing Secretary. He loved and believed in the USG.
Along with those of other Superiors General, his contributions to the 1994
Synod were decisive in clarifying the view of "religious Brothers in
Congregations of Brothers". He passed away whilst traveling to the
community to which he had been assigned.
o
In
September, Br. Lino Da Campo FSF took up the post of Secretary.
1996:
o
Initial
preparations for the Congress of Young Religious are careful and intense. The
first stirrings are felt in the six-monthly Assembly of Superiors General in
November, with the theme: young people question the consecrated life.
o
Attentive
to the emerging problems of the CL in the world, the USG points out that the
"speech to the Brazilian Bishops", which appeared in the Osservatore
Romano in July 1996, does not seem to have understood properly the
situation of the consecrated life and responds with articles to clarify and
throw light on the matter.
o
All
the Superiors General are to asked to collaborate in the preparation of the new
MARTYROLOGY, which the Holy Father wishes to be published for the Great
Jubilee.
o
The
wish is expressed that SEDOS continue to be an information center for all
Consecrated.
o
New
methods of preparing and conducting the six-monthly Assemblies are finalized,
entailing increasing involvement and participation on the part of the Superiors
General. For the first time, a General Councilor also takes part.
o
The
Superiors General are asked for suggestions, proposals and amendments to the
USG Constitution, which must be approved by the CIVCSVA.
o
Co-operation
and communion with the CIVCSVA takes place without sacrificing what is
considered "best" for the consecrated life, seen and desired as
"prophesy" of the Spirit.
o
A
publisher is chosen for the papers of the six-monthly Assemblies, so that all
can benefit from the proceedings.
1997:
o
CONGRESS
OF YOUNG RELIGIOUS: 29/IX - 4/X/1997. This special event gives new hope for a new future.
The Assembly in November examines the results and considers a new point of view
is necessary in studying the problems of the CL; the European Congress on
Vocations: Towards the future with the young religious - Challenges,
proposals and hopes also takes place.
o
Our
experience in broadcasting the Congress of Young Religious world wide on the
Internet and the enormous international repercussions made the USG consider
maintaining the website that was begun for the Congress:
"Vidimusdominum.org". They take on the commitment, checking progress
and possibilities.
1998:
o
The
consecrated life's situation in the world continually present new dimensions,
new stimuli and new difficulties; the Executive Council studies their
implications and takes various initiatives with a sense of responsibility and
commitment.
o
New
ways are sought to implement more practical relations with the Roman
dicasteries, in particular the CIVCSVA, CEP, Catholic Education, Doctrine of
the Faith, Secretariat of State.
o
The
path so carefully followed in recent years leads the USG to study problems and
themes capable of revitalizing the CL from within. In this way, following on
from the path taken by the young people, a start is made on
"REFOUNDATION", a route which will be pursued in subsequent
six-monthly Assemblies: For a creative fidelity: REFOUNDING: re-situation
charisms, redesigning presence in a mounting progression of themes
which, after the Congress of Young Religious, have raised the awareness of the
CL and provided it with incentives to be "prophetic" at this moment
in history.
o
New
ways of revitalizing the Council of "16" are proposed to the CIVCSVA:
to hold only two meetings a year, but meetings which would last a whole day,
with reliable and open working methods and interchange of dialog. Documentation
on the theme would be sent to participants prior to the meeting so that
preparations and the meeting itself would lead to effective agreements. The
suggestion remains outstanding but the questions discussed have involved the CL
in open and clear dialog.
o
With
the election of Fr. Marcello Zago, OMI as secretary of the CEP, the Council of
"18" is ever more competent and effective. Mgr. Marcello Zago's
appointment has profoundly revitalized the Council of "18"s methods and
helped to resolve associated problems. The "18" continues to operate
systematically and efficiently.
o
In
reviewing its activities, the USG Council thinks it appropriate for the
Executive Council also to have two plenary meetings, each of a full day, preceding
the May and November Assemblies, in order to have more time available and to
make it easier for those Superiors General who are members of the USG Council
to attend. The experience has been positive.
o
Committed
to the Celebrations for the Great Jubilee of the Consecrated Life to take place
on 2 February 2000, the USG puts Fr. SEAMUS FREEMAN, Superior General of the
Pallottines, in charge of preparations. The Via Paschatis, which we have
brought to your attention, is one of the fruits of all that preparation, which
the CIVCSVA then chose not to implement.
o
The
Justitia et Pax Commission continued its awareness and operations through the
secretary and the President, Fr. David Fleming, Superior General of the
Marianists. In May, the six-monthly Assembly of Superiors General signs a
request for remission of the international debt.
1999:
o
The
USG Executive Council, always aware of the needs and interests of the Superiors
General, decides to set up a JURIDICAL COMMISSION on programmed, systematic,
efficient and practical lines, which will be at the service of the USG (for the
purposes of consultation, interpretation, advice…). We are seeking competent
people to become members...
o
The
Council takes a continuing interest in the organization and expertise of the
existing THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION and asks all the Superiors General for names of
people in the individual communities who would be particularly suited and
available for involvement and consultation. We now repeat that request, both
for this Commission and for the Juridical Commission…
o
The
subjects of the Assemblies in May and November continue the theme of an
authentic "refoundation": Vocations to the Consecrated Life in
the context of modern and post-modern society. Charism and Spirituality. A
consecrated life open to the laity.
2000:
o
The
USG looks back at its past in order to have a "reminder", on which to
base an examination of its present and to engage itself more deeply in planning
for the future: The USG on the road to the Third Millennium, A look at our
past, our present commitment, future creativity.
o
The
USG watched and continues to watch over the problems of our brothers,
independence in the election of Superiors General, etc.
o
At the
present Assembly in November 2000, the USG is dealing with one of the most
current and serious affecting both the Church and society today, one which it
sees as most urgent for its repercussions on the CL: Inside
Globalisation: Towards a multi-centered and inter-cultural communion:
ecclesiological implications for the administration of our Institutes.
It is our wish that the Superiors General participate directly in this
discussion and that the results should be the fruit of joint efforts and shared
exploration of the subject.
What I
have recalled are only a few small incidents from a whole journey made up of
trials, efforts, stratagems, decisions and actions and the "reminder"
that has been made of them should lead each Superior General to feel his
membership of the USG as a sign, not only of communion, but of promoting the
whole of the Consecrated Life.
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