The day has been very full and varied. After the work in the language groups, the day began with a revision of the synthesis prepared by the synthesizers, Frs. Manuel Ginete and Giuseppe Turati. They presented their work and the members of the assembly pointed out some gaps and imprecisions. That was precisely what the synthesizers were looking for—that the group help them to complete their synthesis which will be presented at a later moment.
Afterwards the whole day was devoted to the Superior General´s Agenda., i.e. to what he wanted to share with the Visitors.
First came an open dialogue about the Vincentian places, introduced by the Superior General and then followed by by the Assistants who have the most knowledge of these matters. It was easy to see that group was in agreement with making these places more adequate as places of pilgrimage and encounter for the whole Vincentian Family.
Afterwards the Superior General presented Bro. Peter Campbell and the Vincentian Solidarity Office. In a clear and orderly way, Bro. Peter presented the office and its work at the service of the Congregation. He invited us to visit the web site and to get to know the projects and mini-projects that are being carried out, as well as the conditions and the ways to apply for new ones. The assembly received his intervention with grateful satisfaction.
Then came the presentation of Fr. Carl Pieber and the new International Development Office. The Superior General noted that, although this office is located in the same building and the same floor as the Vincentian Solidarity Office, it is a different entity. In this case it has the task of gathering funds to create a patrimony for the subsistence of the poorer provinces. Fr. Pieber referred us to a longer document of his on how we should understand the idea of development. Then he opened his arms to receive any kind of support which would further the objective of his office. After a brief dialogue, Fr. Pieber finished up to a round of applause.
Following the instructions received in the last General Assembly, the Superior General presented and distributed a possible Process for the Election of the Superior General. This project was listened to and debated in groups and in the plenary session. Later on the process will be presented again taking into account the suggestions made.
On our desks we found five reports: from the Procurator of the Holy See and the Postulator General, Fr. Giuseppe Guerra; the Commission for Systemic Change; the Vincentian representative to the United Nations; and Fr. John Freund, on the internet as an instrument for our mission. Father General told us these documents were not for discussion, but rather as a basis for a future open dialogue, just as the program for this meeting contemplates.
The intense pace of the work cried out for some down time, for a party. And we had just that after supper. The participation of the different Visitors’ Conferences showed clearly the great richness and cultural and folkloric diversity we have in the Congregation, much to the delight of all.
J.S.O.
