Mass was celebrated in the Retreat House Chapel; the principal celebrant was Fr Michael Ogweno.
The first session in the aula began with a prayer-reflection on the theme of Solidarity and Mission, prepared by the students of the STIP (Passionist Inter-provincial Student Community).
Fr Luis Alberto Cano chaired the session. He began by asking the Synod if they wished to extend the right to vote to the three invited guests: Fr Antony Sikhalele Mdhuli (Regional Vicar, MATAF), Fr Moisés Ríos (Regional Vicar, PAC) and Fr Michael Ogweno (Co-ordinator, CPA). All agreed.
The General Econome, Fr Battista Ramponi, gave a written report on the income and expenditure of the General Curia and also of the Saints John and Paul Community for 2007, 2008, 2009 and the first half of 2010. He also gave similar information regarding the Formation Fund, the Solidarity Fund and funds administered by the Generalate on behalf of other entities. In his comments on the report, Fr Battista raised the question of a Congregational Common Fund, which he had proposed at the last General Chapter, as an aid to the General Administration which, until the present, is resourced solely by contributions from the provinces.
The report included a list of recent major works undertaken at the Generalate: the new boiler room, remodelling of space in the Generalate which is now leased to a group called the ‘Lay Centre’ which promotes ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue; new low-energy lighting for the garden and grounds; the remodelling of a section of the house near the front door (the ‘Garbatella’) as a guest area with seven en-suite rooms, small kitchen and sitting room. Improvements to the buildings have brought about the following: greater energy efficiency; restoration and re-use of facilities, bringing increased rental income; better and safer facilities for those resident here and for guests; increase in value of the property through upgrading, remodelling and restoration.
Because of low interest rates, funding for projects within the Congregation is low. This is particularly worrying in the case of the Formation Fund where there is the risk of the fund’s capital having to be used to fund formation initiatives, because of the lack of investment income to draw on. This is because in recent times there have been no new contributions to the Formation Fund. Within the context of restructuring, there is a need to provide adequate funds for formation, either through new contributions or through allocating an amount from the Solidarity Fund, which has received significant contributions, even recently.
The General Administration Budget for 2011-2012, with contributions from the provinces, was distributed and explained and, after a few questions and clarifications (including one about the new Stauros Library facility which has been created at the Generalate), approved unanimously.
The afternoon session was chaired by Fr Clemente Barron. It began with the report from the Secretary General for Solidarity and the Missions, Fr Jesús Maria Aristin. He listed the works done by the Secretariat: seminars, workshops and courses in JPIC in Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, India (PASPAC), Italy, Kenya, Tanzania, Brazil and Portugal; assistance in Haiti following the earthquake (more than $300,000 with support from communities, men and women religious, laity, NGO’s and other groups; setting up of “Passionist Solidarity” NGO in Italy; days of prayer and study about JPIC throughout the Congregation; meetings with Passionists International (Fr. Kevin Dance); JPIC meetings with the Union of Superiors General; participation in FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations); maintaining our website (jpicpassionist.org); publications: in the PIB, the Bulletin of Passionist Missions and magazine articles; participation in various campaigns (Human Rights, Millennium objectives, the Right to Food, etc.). Included in the report was a list of projects being assisted by Fr. Vital Otshudialokoka, Director of Projects for the Solidarity and Mission Secretariat.
Fr Aristin stressed the importance of JPIC at regional level and asked that all provinces would have a designated JPIC animator. He highlighted the need to support the Congregation’s recent foundations and expressed his concern for the needs of the Congregation in Africa, while acknowledging the generous financial support of certain older provinces which can no longer support the newer parts of the Congregation with personnel.
Fr Kevin Dance then gave a presentation on the work of Passionists International at the United Nations. He began by examining the demographic, social, economic, environmental and religious changes which are part of our world. The three keys to the future are development (freedom from want), security (freedom from fear) and human rights (free to live in dignity).
The reason Passionists are at the UN is found in n. 65 of our Constitutions. Passionists International is active in these areas: Development and People (Commission on the Status of Women, Working Group on Girls, Commission for Social Development) ; Development and Human Rights (Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Israel – Palestine; Migration); Financing for Development (Millennium Development Goals, Climate Change). Passionists International is a collaborative ministry of our Congregation, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion and the Servants of the Passion. Other groups from the Passionist family are welcome to participate.
Presentations on two initiatives of the Congregation in Asia (PASPAC) were then given by Fr Jefferies Foale and Fr Gabriel Pak. The challenges of founding the Congregation in new cultures with complex historical and political situations were explained. The needs of formation were highlighted, in terms of both personnel and finance. In the interventions which followed, the progress which has been made was recognized by the Synod members.
Before the end of the session, Fr Jesús Maria Aristin requested and received the Synod’s approval of a letter of solidarity written by the Superior General, on behalf of the Synod members, to Fr Mario Bartolini in Perú. The letter is available on the Passionist JPIC website.
The Synod members then went to the Retreat House Chapel for Evening Prayer, led by Fr Antony Xavier Tharayil.
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