8. Structures

The need for cultural quality involves not only individuals, but refers also to projects and works through which the mission is incarnated.. The process of elaboration of the PEPS has as its first objective the effectiveness of our interventions from the perspectives of evangelization, education and influence on collective mentality. This is not obtained merely by listing fundamental objectives. It is indispensable to make an updated and deeper analysis of the contents and methods which lead to ways for achieving the objectives, of using resources well, and of verifying results.

Given the complexity of certain works with regard to structure and management, clear ideas are necessary for the set-up and adequate capacity for its orientation in order to be faithful to the salesian ethos of the project. The risk is not just imaginary of remaining entangled in organizational aspects and thus weakening the cultural projection and pastoral finality, especially when our collaboration is accepted or requested, but without any openness to our cultural proposals.

Apostolic zeal, attention to cultural orientation and professional competence are necessary in all salesian works; but some seem to have need of them with particular urgency. I refer to those works which for various reasons can gave a wider impact, that can communicate a message of particular validity or relevance, that can enter into a wider cultural or pastoral dialogue, that have the possibility of involving other social or ecclesial subjects.

I will dwell on some of these by way of paradigms, but the application extends to all the others.