CONTACTS AND MEDIATION

Mediation and contacts take up time every day and must be carried out with discretion, a certain quality of approach and freedom of action.

We owe a great deal to the constant "presence" of the support received from the President and the involvement of the whole Executive Council, which is always available and committed to the good of the USG.

The Commissions have carried out their functions competently and punctually, as you will learn from the short reports by their hard-working Presidents.

Items of Note
Amongst the events to remember in 1998:

1. The renewed approval by the CIVCSVA of the USG Constitution as it already stands, on 10 February 1998.
2. The systematic resumption of the Commissio Theologica, which held frequent meetings and has dedicated itself to studies and researches of general interest.
3. The much appreciated participation of the delegates of the Superiors General in the Synods.
4. Acceptance by the CIVCSVA of an in-depth study on themes of particular importance for the Consecrated Life; the Council of "16" has had its time extended from a morning to a whole day, provided previous notice is given.
5. The election of H.E. Mgr. Marcello Zago, OMI as Secretary of the CEP, something which will change the face and involvement of the USG in the problems of the missio ad gentes.
6. The considerable efforts made to keep the "vidimusdominum.org" website active.

Immediate future commitments

1. The Church is preparing for the arrival of the third millennium with many significant celebrations. Amongst those which deserve particular attention are the Synods which will be held during 1999 and which will be attended by a number of representatives of the Superiors General. It is in preparing the documents for the Synods that all the Superiors General can contribute suggestions for perspectives which will be valid for the Church as a whole.
2. The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 calls for a special celebration on the Day of Consecrated Life, which is planned for 2nd February.

The relevant collaboration of the Secretariat and the Superiors General is requested in connection with these and other commitments of the Church. We are sure we can count on your generous co-operation at the appropriate time.
In order to continue improving our service:

1. Communications from the Secretariat are increasingly made by the rapid method of faxes. This means the curias’ fax machines must always be accessible.
2. E-mail seems to be becoming more common every day between the members of the USG. The Secretariat also uses this option. It is important that you advise the Secretariat of your E-mail address as soon as possible so that it can be included in the Index Personarum.
3. The Conference Papers of our Assemblies are sent to the Superiors General in the language they have indicated to us. Extra copies can be obtained on request from the USG until stocks of that particular item are exhausted. If the number of copies required is substantial, a donation to the Secretariat would be appreciated.
4. Communications from the Secretariat to the Superiors General should be passed to the addressee immediately. If the Superior is absent, a Council member or the secretary should read the communication and take appropriate action. In fact, some curias are very efficient in this respect; others leave somewhat to be desired.
5. Circulars from the Superior General which deal with interesting and current themes for reflection or study can be sent to the Secretariat, in the various languages, to be used for consultation purposes to the benefit of members of the Union. By agreement with the authors, some circulars could also be included on our Internet site.