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Communiqué # 7
- May 24, 2007
Mission Center in Naples, Initial Formation,
Collaboration with the Laity, Means of Social
Communication
On Monday, May 21, the
Assembly finished its discussion on the first four themes
presented in the Instrumentum Laboris.
Mission Center in Naples:
The Assembly
voted on a non-binding motion that the new General Directorate
and the future Region of Italy work together to realize a
Mission Center in Naples, in coordination with the Mission
Center in Milan. This Center could have a greater impact in
central and southern Italy in the areas of cultural, missionary
and vocation animation.
Initial Formation for the
Lay Missionaries.
The General Assembly looked at the existing guidelines for the
formation program of Lay Missionaries, agreeing with the basics
and giving some additional suggestions. The formation of Lay
Missionaries within PIME has three stages: basic formation of 2
or 3 years, a period of formation in the missions (possibly in
the mission of future destination) of the same length, and a
final period including the completion of the missionary, human
and professional dimensions.
Formators.
A motion was voted upon
which asks the General Directorate to begin the selection
process of future formation personnel in the PIME seminaries
while the members are still in the missions. Studies could
begin while these persons are still in the missions; they could
also be involved in the discernment and accompaniment stage of
possible candidates in the missions, before they are assigned to
roles in formation. It was decided to leave the “six-year term”
as it is, for those in the formation programs, even though some
had suggested that longer terms, up to ten years, for members in
formation roles within the Institute. The formation teams of our
seminaries must also become more international.
Accompaniment of our young
missionaries.
This motion grew out of the consideration and difficulties that
PIME has encountered in the past few years with a number of
young missionaries. The Assembly decided that, among other
things, in the first five years in the missions, a newly
assigned missionary should not be left alone and not be given a
position of too much responsibility, in order that he can adjust
to the new situation in a calm way, dedicating the time needed
to language study and practice and to a deeper understanding of
the culture. In addition, in their first assignment, young
missionaries should be have a mentor, either a PIME confrere or
local priest, who can help him in his adjustment.
On Monday afternoon, Dr.
Patricia Pelosi, collaborator of Fr. Giuseppe Buono, addressed
the Assembly on the topic of “Bioethics and Missions.”
On Tuesday, the last two
themes of the Instrumentum Laboris – Chapter 5
(Collaboration with the laity in evangelization) and Chapter 6
(Means of Social Communication) were discussed.
Collaboration with the
Laity in Evangelization.
The Assembly asks that each Region of Institute begin to put
into action, with proper preparation, laypersons who wish to
work together with PIME in the missions. This includes working
together with ex-members and former students who wish to
collaborate and be part of the charism of PIME. Other lay
collaborators, both volunteers and those in paid positions,
should be given greater roles of responsibility within PIME,
especially in the areas of finances (even becoming
vice-treasurer general), missionary animation and mass media.
New Humanity.
This association, which came about as a means by which PIME
could send people to work in countries where it is not possible
to enter as missionaries, is controlled by an Administrative
Council, which is the General Directorate of PIME. At the
present time it is present in Cambodia and Myanmar. It is not a
NGO, but together with the organization FOSCIV, it can be
considered as such. The Assembly General declares that New
Humanity is still a valid instrument of evangelization and asks
the General Directorate to evaluate the work of New Humanity in
order that it continue its work in the future. Also, that the
circumscriptions be directly involved with New Humanity and its
projects. There is a particular concern that the lay personnel
involved are properly prepared and made aware that they are part
of the program of evangelization of PIME.
ALP (Association of Lay
Volunteers of PIME).
This initiative is considered to be positive and
should be continued, although there is need for some
clarifications concerning the persons responsible for ALP and
its inner workings. The Assembly stated that ALP in Italy should
have the Region of Italy as its point of reference regarding
formation, the accompaniment of the candidates, etc. The
spiritual director should be a member of PIME assigned by the
Region of Italy. There is also a request for assistance from the
DML (Delegation of Lay Missionaries), and some involvement from
the General Directorate, especially concerning the final
destination and the arrival and welcoming of the candidates in
the missions.
Means of Social
Communication.
This motion contains various points: That the use
of Mass Media be considered a priority in the mission activity
of PIME, both for animation and primary evangelization; that the
process of involving lay professionals does not take away from
the need for preparing PIME members in this area of
specialization; in the near future, the General Directorate
should assign some members of the Institute to specialized study
in various areas of Communication; where possible, even in the
missions, some form of Mass media be put into practice; the
study of the possibility of a Spanish version of Missao Jovem;
that there be some coordination and organized direction,
especially where Mass Media plays a big part of the activity of
the circumscription; that there be occasional meetings of PIME
members involved in this area; that there be a collaboration
between those who work in the area of Mass media and those
involved in formation at the theological level; that PIME move
forward even more in the areas of Mass media that are
particularly interesting to young people, who are less and less
interested in printed material; and that all these things be
done with a certain sense of sobriety.
Election of the new General
Directorate of PIME.
At the end of the approval of these motions,
there was a second straw vote for the election of the General
Directorate, which will take place on Thursday and Friday, May
24 and 25.
On Wednesday, May 23, Fr.
Giandomenico Tamiozzo, a former fidei donum missionary in India
and spiritual director of the diocesan seminary in Vicenza,
Italy, preached a daylong retreat.
After the elections of
Thursday and Friday, the members of the Assembly will make a
pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Mentorella on Saturday, May 26.
The next points to consider
will be the implementation of the decisions taken so far and the
timetable for this implementation stage.
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