|
Communiqué # 5 - May 18, 2007
Approval of Six Motions
From May 15 – 17, the general Assembly began
work on various proposals that came from the Instrumentum
Laboris, chapters 1 (Evangelization) and 2 (Life in the
Circumscriptions). The motions, which appear below, deal with
the following topics:
Specializations (in preparation for
ministry), Change of personnel, Missionary Activity, India,
Family of Apostles, PIME Lay Missionaries and the Delegation of
Lay Missionaries. The wordings of these motions intend to give
some working indications for the present situation of the
Institute at this time.
Specializations (in preparation for
ministry). We are becoming ever
more aware of the need for young missionaries to be able to
respond to the new challenges of missionary life whether it be
at the beginning of their initial formation, in missionary
animation or in various ministries of responsibility within the
Institute. In addition to the traditional areas of
specialization, there are new areas to discover, such as
bioethics, economics, communications, information services, etc.
Changing of Personnel.
Various contributions from different regions
indicate a growing difficulty in leaving one’s work even after
many years, which leads to negative consequences, including
those of appointing young members to certain ministries, the
eventual returning of some posts to the local Church and the
spiritual and ministerial life of the interested persons. The 13th
General Assembly has voted that “no missionary should spend more
than 10 years in the same place or doing the same service to the
Institute”. There are exceptions, which must always be approved
by the General Directorate in agreement with the regional
directorate. The Plenary Council of 2009 will verify that this
is taking place.
Missionary Activity.
The General Assembly realizes that the
Institute should be even more involved in ministry with
non-Christians. This motion asks that each circumscription
increase its activities in ecumenical, inter religious and inter
cultural dialogue. Particular attention will be given to the
large cities, to groups of indigenous peoples, and to the
promotion of peace and justice. As much as possible, normal
pastoral activities will be left to the local clergy. In
addition, only in cases of specific requests for service to the
Institute or for reasons of health are members to be present in
their homelands.
India. Having
read and valued the request from the Region of India, the
General Assembly has asked that a dialogue begin with the
General Directorate of PIME to identify new activities and
primary evangelization in different states of India where PIME
is not yet present. This is in order to give new life and
renewal to the missionary activity in India.
Family of Apostles.
The General Assembly decided to use this term rather than the
term “insieme”, that is “together”. This motion comes from the
concern that we want to avoid isolation and loneliness in our
lives and in our missionary work, and to promote a better
programming and mutual communication with projects and our
activity in general. We are “still” at the beginning of the
process of internationalization. Sharing in community is a way
to better know and value charisms. Also, our houses should be
places of where we can share and welcome others, not necessarily
just our confreres buts also those who work together with us,
both religious and laypersons.
Lay Missionaries of PIME – DML.
The Delegation of Lay Missionaries will continue to exist and to
operate as decided by the 12th General Assembly
(2001). In addition, this Assembly added that there is a
specific and communal aspect to the lay vocation to the
missions, and that all lay members, who will be members of the
circumscriptions where they are present, will also be members of
the DML, and for the General Assembly, will elect their own
representative, as was decided by the 12th General
Assembly, with a modification of D. 78 (Directory 78).
|
