56. General Curia
The Superior General with the Daughters of Charity of Latin America. Fr. G. Gregory Gay, C.M., Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and of the Daughters of Charity, participated in the Formation Meeting of the Daughters of Charity of Latin America from 27-28 June. The meeting took place in the city of Mexico. Fr. Javier Álvarez, C.M., Director General of the Daughters of Charity and the Provincial Directors also participated. On the afternoon of 27 June, the Superior General presided at the Eucharist in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and on the 28th he was with the formation delegates and the Provincial Directors. Fr. Álvarez gave a conference on the new Directory for Provincial Directors and Fr. Gay had an informal dialogue with the sisters and their Directors. They then shared the Eucharist and a celebration together.
Tempo Forte. The General Council met from 13-17 June in the General Curia. The meeting began with a formation period and all the members of the house were invited. The theme of the study dealt with vocational fragility and was directed by a member of the Salesian Community. The agenda for the meeting included:
1) Initiating a study about the method of consultation for the election of the Superior General in the next General Assembly;
2) Giving priority to communication with the various Conferences of Visitors and/or Provinces of the Congregation. It was agreed to invite the Presidents of these Conferences to participate in the tempo forte of June 2006. Reports from the Conferences were reviewed;
3) Naming a commission to modify and renew the Statutes of the Congregation for presentation in the next General Assembly;
4) Studying anew the possible recon-figuration of provinces. The Visitors will receive a communication very soon from the Superior General regarding this matter;
5) Distributing the Annual Mission Fund for projects in favor of formation and the poor;
6) Receiving the reports of Fr. John Freund, C.M. and Fr. Alfredo Becerra, C.M., responsible for the website and Vincentiana respectively. The only site for the Congregation is www.cmglobal.com. It is important to visit and get to know the Vincentian Encyclopedia at www.famvin.org/wiki;
7) Nominating a new Executive Secretary and members of the International Secretariat for Vincentian Studies (SIEV). A transition meeting is scheduled for September;
8) Hearing the report of Fr. Hugh O’Donnell, C.M., Program Director for the International Formation Center (CIF), which included new plans for the upcoming programs;
9) Commenting on the five-year work plan of Fr. Manuel Ginete, C.M., Delegate of the Superior General for the Vincentian Family;
10) Discussing the International Missions, especially that of El Alto, Bolivia. The Superior General invites us to reflect on the possibility of offering ourselves for the International Missions;
11) Renewing the contract with the South India Province regarding the mission in Tanzania;
12) Hearing the report of Fr. Paul Roche, C.M., Vice-Visitor of the Vice-Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. It was agreed to review and evaluate the contract of the Vice-Province with the Provinces of Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the General Curia in the tempo forte of December.
57. Vicar General
Canonical Visitation to Slovakia. Fr. Józef Kapu_ciak, C.M., Vicar General, made a Canonical Visitation of the Province of Slovakia from 16-29 May. The province has seven juridically constituted houses (five in Slovakia and two in the Czech Republic) and there are 38 incorporated confreres and 11 admitted ones. Ten men are preparing for priesthood and three others are in the Internal Seminary. Fr. Kapu_ciak visited all the houses and spoke individually with almost every confrere. In almost all the houses, he had at least a community meeting during which he spoke about the objective of the visitation and dialogued with the confreres about the situation of the Congregation of the Mission in the world. He also had a meeting with all the seminarians. The visitation was initiated and concluded with a meeting with the Provincial Council. Fr. Kapu_ciak said: “Visiting the houses and dialoguing with the confreres made me realize that the Province of Slovakia is very dynamic (the median age is 43). The confreres are engaged in various ministries, but their primary works are: parish ministry (13), preaching popular missions (3), formation of the diocesan clergy (3), formation of CMs (3), foreign missions (2), prison ministry (2), spiritual assistance to the Daughters of Charity (2), animation of Vincentian associations (1), administration (3).”
58. Postulator General
Recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Fr. Salvatore Micalizzi, C.M. Fr. Giuseppe Guerra, C.M., Postulator General, made known that the theologians of the Congress of Theologians, meeting on 14 June, approved (by nine out of nine) the Positio super virtutibus that was presented in 1998 and recognized that the Servant of God, Fr. Salvatore Micalizzi, C.M. (Naples, 1856-1937) had lived and practiced the virtues to an heroic degree. Now we await the meeting of the Cardinals, after which the Holy Father will approve the decree that will declare Fr. Micalizzi, “Venerable.” We are also waiting for the Meeting of Medical Consultation that has been asked to express its opinion on a miracle that occurred in Naples in 1998 and that was presented to the Congregation for Saints in 2000.
59. Procurator General
Arrival of the new Procurator. Fr. Varghese Thottamkara, C.M., arrived at the General Curia on 29 August. Fr. Thottamkara belongs to the Province of South India and will be trained in his new service by Fr. Rolando DelaGoza, C.M. Welcome to the General Curia!
60. International Missions
Mission Office. During the tempo forte council meeting in June, the establishment of a Mission Office was approved. The Assistant General for the Missions will be responsible for this office whose tasks will include:
1) Encouragement: strengthening the missionary spirit of the members of the Congregation, especially those who are laboring in different missionary situations (cf. C. 4-9, 10-12; S. 5, 4°; Ratio Missionum Chapter III, 3.1, 3.2);
2) Formation: looking into the possibility that some missionaries participate in short courses, meetings, and/or gatherings that deal with Missionary Pastoral Ministry (cf. C. 7; S. 6; Ratio Missionum, Chapter IV);
3) Information: sending to our missionaries, through the Internet, some websites and/or articles that might orient their missionary activity;
4) Publication in Vincentiana of articles about the missionary activity of the Congregation;
5) Distribution of the Missionary Fund: sending, at the beginning of each year, the “Missionary Assistance” form, according to the criteria established by the Superior General and his Council, keeping in mind the recommendations of the Treasurer General.
61. VSO
Concrete Actions. Brother Peter A. Campbell, C.M., reported on the work of the VSO. Since the establishment of the office in June 2002, 13 projects have been accepted. The projects financed were in nine countries. They were varied, from construction of buildings to educational and human development projects. Likewise, he is grateful and reports that, thanks for the generous response to the Superior General’s appeal for the Vincentian Solidarity Fund (VSF), the VSO is initiating a micro-projects grant program. Instructions on how to apply for these grants have been sent out. You can refer to the website of the VSO (www.famvin.org/vso) to learn about three recent projects.
62. Barcelona
Episcopal Ordination. On 29 June, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Fr. Luis Solé, C.M., was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga of Honduras. Three Visitors were present for the ceremony: Fr. José Vicente Martínez Muedra, C.M., Barcelona; Fr. Gabriel Naranjo, C.M., Colombia; Fr. José Francisco Ramos, C.M., Central America. Bishop Solé was ordained bishop for the Diocese of Trujillo which covers an area of 25,500 square kilometers and has a population of 280,000, of which 230,000 are Catholics. Seventeen priests and 23 religious minister in the diocese.
63. Chile
Earthquake. An earthquake affected the far northern part of Chile; that is, the area about 2,000 kilometers north of Santiago. The Congregation has no community house in that area. The closest house is that of Valparaíso, about 110 kilometers northeast of Santiago. The Daughters of Charity and other branches of the Vincentian Family minister in the area affected by the earthquake, but fortunately none of them was gravely affected. Many people suffered as a result of this telluric phenomenon and many lost their homes and belongings. Twelve people died due to the fact that the area is not densely populated. A special collection has been organized to help the victims of the earthquake. The government has deployed all its resources to assist these people.
64. Mexico
Visit of the Superior General. The Superior General, Fr. G. Gregory Gay, C.M., was in Mexico from 27-30 June. He devoted the first two days to the Meeting of the Daughters of Charity in Latin America. On Wednesday, 29 June, accompanied by Frs. Luis Arreola, C.M., and Alfredo López, C.M., Visitor and Provincial Treasurer respectively, he traveled to Monterrey and La Fama to meet with the confreres from the northern zone of the country. On the feast of Sts Peter and Paul, the Superior General participated in the First Mass of one of the five new priests. In his homily, Fr. Gregory said that “… the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul are important in the life of the Vincentian missionary … St. Peter is the model community leader and St. Paul is the model missionary … both are pillars of the Vincentian life because of their leadership in the community and their service in the mission.” Other confreres and laity of the Vincentian Family participated in the celebration. On Thursday, 30 June, he returned to Mexico City and went to the Xochimanca Seminary. In the morning, he met with the confreres of that zone and with the Provincial Commissions. In the afternoon, he met with the students of theology and those in the Internal Seminary. The day concluded with the Eucharist and a time of celebration and joy.
65. USA – Eastern
Honorary Doctorate for Archbishop Franc Rodé, C.M. St. John’s University, Roman Campus, conferred the Degree of Doctor of Laws on his Excellency Archbishop Franc Rodé, C.M. As a university established by the priestly congregation founded by St. Vincent de Paul, it has a special affinity for the life and mission of this extraordinary man. Vincent de Paul had a double vocation. Although his mission of charity to the poor is probably the more familiar, Vincent himself recognized another, equally important, responsibility: to train priests. It is this second calling which has earned him the title “Light of the Clergy.” As Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Archbishop Franc Rodé, C.M., assures that this light of Vincent continues to shine within our own world.
66. SSVP
Ordinary General Assembly. The International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul held its Ordinary General Assembly from 19-22 June in Salamanca (Spain). The principal issues were: election of the International President and drafting, in a broad outline, the International Strategic Plan for the next five years (2006-2010). At the Assembly, Mr. José Ramón Díaz-Torremocha was reelected, by an absolute majority of votes, International President of the SSVP. Two hundred fifty participants from 85 countries were at the Assembly.
67. Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul
Official Internet Site. The Congregation of the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul has inaugurated its new website: www.r-s-v.org. Its members are part of the Vincentian Family. They were founded by Jean-Léon Le Prevost in 1845.
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NOMINATIONS
PERUGACHI CHAMORRO Segundo 22-06-2005 Visitor – Ecuador
ZUPAN_I_ Jo_e ZUPAN_I_ Jo_e 22-06-2005 Director DC – Slovenia and
the Region of Kosovo-Albania
AZNAR BELLO Manuel 23-06-2005 Director DC – Puerto Rico
HARTENBACH William E. 30-06-2005 Director DC – USA-Evansville
SPISLA Euzébio 20-07-2005 Visitor – Curitiba
GONSALVES DOS SANTOS Odair M. 20-07-2005 Director DC – Curitiba
ALBANESI Nicola 28-07-2005 Visitor – Rome
ARREOLA MARTÍNEZ Luis 08-09-2005 Visitor – Mexico
BOUCHET Yves 08-09-2005 Visitor – Toulouse
PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS
DA SILVA GONÇALVES João Luís Lus 12-06-2005
PHAM DUY Joseph Lan Par 13-06-2005
PHAM VAN François Xavier Son Par 13-06-2005
ABUEL Dionisio Ebora Phi 18-06-2005
BISCO Nelson Braza Phi 18-06-2005
RESCOBER Joel Leon Phi 18-06-2005
ALBA ROMERO Israel Carlos Mex 24-06-2005
ARNÁIZ QUINTERO Rubén Darío Mex 24-06-2005
ESCOBEDO HERNÁNDEZ Antonio G. Mex 24-06-2005
GÓMEZ NEDER Ricardo David Mex 24-06-2005
SOTO GARCÍA Ismael Mex 24-06-2005
LLAMBRICH Jordi Tol 24-06-2005
YOUSSEF Jack Tol 01-07-2005
TESFALDET Yacob Teclemariam SJJ 03-07-2005
ADIKWU John Nig 08-07-2005
ENIEKOP Paul Philip Nig 08-07-2005
IDAGBO Osang Fidelis Nig 08-07-2005
IWUOHA Peter Obioma Nig 08-07-2005
NYONG Anthony Bassey Nig 08-07-2005
DE LA ROSA VEGA Francisco José Sal 09-07-2005
OLANGUINA Frédéric-Armand Par 09-07-2005
ONDOBO Robert Par 09-07-2005
PHAM TRONG François Xavier Chau Par 22-07-2005
NSANZIMANA Jean-Paul Par 23-07-2005
PÁEZ CÉSPEDES Miguel Ángel Arg 30-07-2005
PALACIO JARA Cayo Idilio Arg 30-07-2005
IYONGO MPUTU DUKA Jose Cng 31-07-2005
NAYAK Dilip Kumar InS 02-08-2005
CASTELLANOS QUINTERO Oscar J. Col 06-08-2005
LÓPEZ SIERRA Ángel Augusto Col 06-08-2005
RANDRIAMBOAVONJY Charles A. Mad 07-08-2005
EPISCOPAL ORDINATIONS
SOLÉ FA Luis 18-03-2005 Bishop – Trujillo y Gracias a Dios, Honduras
NECROLOGIUM
Nomen Cond Dies Ob Prov Aet Voc
MADRAZO POLICARPO Higinio Sac 18-06-2005 Por 85-68
KUCZYNSKI John Sac 28-06-2005 Nan 88-67
VIALARET Jean Marie Sac 08-07-2005 Tol 90-73
FANULI Antonio Sac 02-08-2005 Nea 73-56
STORMS Louis Besson Sac 07-08-2005 Orl 92-70
ANCEL Edmond Sac 07-08-2005 Tol 82-64
SAAD Nahamé Sac 14-08-2005 Ori 93-55
CALCAGNO Jerome S. Sac 22-08-2005 Mer 81-64
PERSICH Nicholas E Sac 30-08-2005 Ocn 83-66
ESSING Gerhard Sac 01-09-2005 Hol 78-55
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Fr. Charles Strollo, C.M., Assistant Provincial of the Eastern Province (USA), asked to publish the following message: “Provincial application requests for the 2006-2007 Eastern Province Scholarship Fund need to be sent to the Provincial of the Eastern Province no later than 1 January 2006. Thank you very much.”
