#557

GC25 is at the heart of the laborious process of documentation. Maria 
Arokiam, Vice Provincial of Chennai (Madras), India, reflects on the 
process... 
__________________________________________ 
FROM EUPHORIA TO PATIENT WORK 

The first euphoric atmosphere of having come together from all over the world 
as privileged people to be part of the highest body of the congregation has 
now given way to sober work and reflection on the reality of our communities 
all over the world. We are right in the midst of discussing the first drafts 
of the documents prepared by the commissions. 

But there is a nagging doubt among many whether the methodology we follow to 
produce the General Chapter Document is the right one. In the first place, 
some ask whether the whole exercise of the Chapter is meant mainly to come 
out with a document! Imagine 231 people sitting down and discussing a 
document word for word and agreeing on what is written, how it must be 
written and the like! Some confreres feel that we should have a different 
method of running the chapter itself..... 

International bodies, Episcopal conferences, synods of bishops too come out 
with valid documents of great importance but seem to follow faster and more 
logical methods! 

Secondly there is concern about the nature and size of the document. Already 
Fr. Vecchi in his convocation letter had said that the purpose of GC25 was 
not a question of producing a document on the doctrine of religious community 
life, but of coming to terms with the reality of our communities and 
decidedly giving them a push towards authenticity in view of the mission. 

There are those who ask for a very brief document in the form of some 
leaflets on every sub-topic with mostly a situation analysis and lines of 
action. In general all are agreed that we need only a small, non-doctrinal 
and practical document. Instead, during the discussions, all would like to 
find their ideas in it and contribute generously with concepts and theories 
they think should get a mention. I have a premonition that this time too we 
will have a big document…..I just hope it will not come true! 

However, there is a good atmosphere in the Chapter - one of friendship, 
appreciation of the various cultures from which confreres come and respect 
for the ideas and contributions of every one. Hence, apart from the document, 
this is a good experience of the worldwide community of the congregation. 
Even if a gathering like this is expensive, this is an essential moment to 
build a sense of belonging, to come to know each other and learn from each 
other, and to build up more solidarity among the provinces of the world. 

In my opinion, this can be called an "ordinary" chapter. It is not a Chapter 
proposing a new thrust but one of consolidation and reflection on one of the 
three constitutive elements of our Salesianity, namely our 'life in 
community'. But if it can manage to come out with realistic and practical 
guidelines, it can greatly help to improve the quality of our life and hence 
our efficacy in our mission. 

Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga 
<marokiam@dbchennai.com>