The day began with Mass in the Retreat House Chapel celebrated by Fr Leone Masnata.
The morning session in the aula, chaired by Fr Clemente Barron, was preceded by a prayer reflection celebrating the centenary of the Passionists in Brazil. Fr Michael Mullins s.m. informed the Synod that the dialogue in response to the reports from configurations would be take place in a single group in the aula. He asked us to ensure that all voices are heard, and gave this background question: What are the key issues that the Synod has to address for the whole Congregation?
Fr Leone Masnata presented the report on behalf of the Configuration of Blessed Eugene Bossilkov. Initially the seven entities of the configuration looked at the following: replies made by provinces of the configuration to the template on restructuring; possible future shape for the configuration; choosing common projects in the areas of solidarity (formation, personnel, finance); decision-making powers of the configuration; ways of consulting the religious of the various provinces on their opinion of the viability of the configuration. The four Italian provinces of the configuration and the French province wish to work towards becoming a single province, with five regions, while ASSUM and VULN wish to continue as distinct entities within the configuration. The configuration has a study group, divided into three sub-groups (formation, personnel, finance), and a permanent secretary. The Italian entities have a common novitiate and student house. Various forms of collaboration exist, including support for the mission in Bulgaria and the house in Lourdes.
The configuration has its own website at www.cebnews.eu The viability of the single province will be discussed at the forthcoming provincial chapters in Italy. This must not just be a process of contraction but a way of asking: ‘What do the Passionists in Europe want to be?’ In addition to this report, there was a document on the position of the Polish province (ASSUM).
These points were raised in the responses: we risk making some changes but keeping the same fundamental structure with different names. Can we keep in mind the important issues raised by Fr Aquilino? Moving towards autonomy for the configurations can work in the old parts of the Congregation which have resources, but in the newer areas (such as Africa), this gives rise to difficulties. An important task for this Synod is to carry out an evaluation of the configurations.
The next presentation was made by Fr Franz Damen on behalf of the North European Sector of Passionists. The former North European Conference had worked on a proposal for a union of four or five provinces in northern Europe but, after the Synod of 2008, that had to be put on hold. Subsequent changes in North Europe now make such a way of proceeding less likely. Since the last Synod, the configuration has been following the model of the former NECP conference. One commission was set up to work on the three areas of solidarity. This year they are concentrating on ongoing formation.
This presentation was followed by a stimulating conversation in which issues were raised and all four provincials of the configuration responded. The difficulties of caring for our elderly were acknowledged and at the same time challenging questions were asked about the region’s future.
In the afternoon, Fr Michael Ogweno reported on the Configuration of Passionists in Africa which, he said, has nothing to restructure but instead wants to structure. The CPA is a growing part of the Congregation which sees the importance of divisions because it is in small entities that growth will take place. The primary vision of the CPA is ‘Solidarity in Formation, Personnel and Finance so as to enhance and make more vital the Life and Mission of the Congregation, especially in Africa.’ Each of the entities aspires to self sufficiency and self determination and seeks to exercise its autonomy in a context of collegiality within the CPA.
The four regions (MATAF, SALV, GEMM and CARLW) wish to grow and evolve into a collaborative, interdependent and collegial configuration with an appropriate juridical structure. This would be done by means of a board which would exercise (collegial) juridical authority in all matters of solidarity – personnel, formation and finance and whose decisions would be reached by consensus; otherwise a majority vote would be required. For each of the areas of solidarity, there would be an advisory committee, with one member from each region. The configuration intends to work towards self-reliance and financial autonomy, but realises that, in order to become financially viable, CPA will depend initially upon the structures for Solidarity in Finance established at the General level of the Congregation. CPA remains open to other entities or missions joining this configuration.
Among the responses was the suggestion that we need to find a way to increase the capital of the Solidarity Fund in order to support the new parts of the Congregation. The last Synod proposed a levy on the sale of property for this purpose; this proposal would need to be confirmed by this Synod. The notion of solidarity among, rather than just within, the configurations was also raised.
Fr Joachim Rego then presented the report from the PASPAC Configuration, which has adopted this Mission Statement: To ensure the sharing of life, mission and resources throughout the Configuration and Congregation wide. They have elaborated a model where the decision makers are the leaders of the congregational entities within the region, acting together. They are supported by three commissions (Formation, Personnel, Finance) which will continue PASPAC’s rich history of collaboration among the entities. The configuration accepts responsibility for the ‘International House of Formation’ based at Manila and Adelaide, which was initiated by the former PASPAC Conference.
In the dialogue which followed, the configuration was praised for its history of co-operation across many different cultures. The organizational model seemed quite detailed, but was designed to encourage maximum participation. The aim of the new structure is to have a new way of operating where all are working and deciding together.
Father Fiorenzo Bordo then gave a short presentation on the new mission in Nigeria which has been established by members of PRAES, SALV and CARLW.
The Synod members then went to the Retreat House Chapel for Evening Prayer.
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