austraLasia #2820
Team Visit, EAO: RM's closing points
(and below, a brief roundup from Japan from a Salesian perspective)
HUA HIN: 12 March 2011 -- "Rather than multiplying guidelines I invite you to concentrate your efforts and resources on four action areas to which you yourselves have given priority, and through which you will be able to face the challenges of the economic, social, cultural and religious situation in the Region", the Rector major told participants in his concluding address to the EAO Team Visit which has taken place at Hua Hin over these days. What follows is an indication of the main points of this 'invitation', and serves as a broad summary of content, rather than chronology. To keep it brief, what follows also includes paraphrase.
Salesian Mission in its global context
"The secret of the renewal of provinces and local communities is to be found in article 3 of the Constitutions, Our apostolic consecration, where we read: “Our apostolic mission, our fraternal community and the practice of the evangelical counsels are the inseparable elements of our consecration which we live in a single movement of love towards God and towards our brothers. Our mission sets the tenor of our whole life.” In this way mission is for us, Salesians, the centre of gravity and the driving force of our life.... I consider it, therefore, fitting to define first the global challenges of the historical moment we are living through worldwide, emphasising that these are at the same time opportunities for the renewal of our Salesian life and mission. We cannot fail to notice, secondly, how this Region is composed of diverse economic, social, cultural and religious realities that do not allow us to speak in uniform terms".
1. Cultural challenges. The RM goes on to note postmodernity, inculturation and inter-cultural mindset, secularistion and secularism as key cultural challenges. Postmodernity's onset, with positive and negative aspects, touches this region, though its full impact may yet be ahead. the RM asks for a balance between inculturation and inter-cultural thinking: the test of inculturation is greater faith commitment because faith is perceived through the eyes of one's own culture. Secularisation is not in itself negative, but its forces often degenerate into secularism. The RM makes the point that it may be more a risk for the Salesians themselves than for the many deeply religious peoples of the region.
2. Church Challenges. Amongst Church challenges, he lists evangelisation (not an option but a missionary obligation). It means, for us, finding and using new channels (street, media, music, information...). Pluralism is a challenge - it can become relativism: the challenge here is thinking and reflection to then be translated into social commitment. Inter-religious dialogue in this region is crucial: we need a "ministry of intelligent conciliation; we are called to give account of our faith in public places". An implication is concliation, first of all in community!
3. Institutional challenges. Initial formation. The Ratio's 'Criteria and Norms' are simply not known or not applied. Little clarity about structuring accompaniment, evidence of fragmentation and lack of assimilation of the Congregation's guidelines on pastoral ministry: mission, youth ministry, communication, vocation activity need integration. The RM also notes weakness in animation and governance especially at provincial and local levels noted in such things as an absence of quantitative and qualitative consistency of some communities, disproportionate ratios of work/community, low profile of the Rector... in other words animation and governance has yet to overcome certain mindsets, resistance to change.
4. Personal challenges. Individualism tops the bill, in its various manifestations. Lack of awareness of consecrated identity which can lead to disaffection, poverty not seen as a qualifying asset, affective and effective alienation from the young. Clear identity is a key to good evangelisation. But another element to be attended to is the affective dimension in terms of interpersonal relationships, the intellectual dimension, spiritual life, pastoral action. it all needs 'warmth'. without this confreres cannot successfully address challenges, difficulties.
Fostering Salesian Mission in East Asia-Oceania
The RM notes the 'Springtime' in much of east Asia: the foundation of new local Churches (e.g. in Mongolia), the birth of new local missionary institutes (Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia), a fresh proclamation of the Gospel and the flourishing of vocations despite the diaspora-like situation (Vietnam, Timor Leste and Indonesia, South Korea). Within the Church of East Asia we are witnessing an impressive growth: the last 15 years has seen a fourfold increase in the number of priests, men religious have increased by 40% and women religious by 30%. Hundreds of missionaries “ad gentes” and “ad vitam” have gone out from the local Churches. In the Pacific part of the Region many religious Congregations are still looking for expressions of consecrated life in local cultures shared by missionary members from abroad and by indigenous members. In Australia, on the other hand, the efforts of consecrated persons are directed towards pastoral work for vocations and the formation of lay collaborators in line with the various charisms of the Congregations concerned.
He presents the region with a threefold interpretation of the Da Mihi Animas as a way of responding to all this:
– mysticism: in a Region which is in general deeply religious, it is essential to ensure in our consecrated confreres a strong personal experience of God;
– prophecy: our religious communities are called upon to be courageous in living the Gospel as an alternative model for living;
– service: for the benefit of the poor youth and those marginalised for economic, sexual, racial or religious reasons, in imitation of Jesus who humbled himself and came to serve and not to be served. He concludes by offering the following areas (and each has its own several points, too many to recall here):
a) Starting afresh from Don Bosco: a heartfelt sense of this in the region but beware superficiality in knowledge of the Founder; Good translations and a clearer and homogeneous terminology are required.; reckon on spiritual direction, people trained in spirituality and Salesianity. Cultivate people with strong personal values.
b) Evangelisation and Vocation promotion. We are aware of its importance. See to a Christ-centred education; deep updated knowledge of Jesus Christ without false Christologies; evangelisation is not an individual activity; recognising the 'seeds of the kingdom' in Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam etc; training in Eastern methods of prayer; generous response to 'missio ad gentes'. And above all - primacy of God.
c) Poverty and New Frontiers. Poverty constitutes an integral part of our being consecrated persons; its first manifestation “is the total giving of oneself to God in availability to the needs of the young; this brings with it self-renunciation and putting aside individual projects in order to share those of the community” (GC26, 79). Here the RM calls on "Stewardship as an expression of living out evangelical poverty. The Salesian practices this by taking care of the earth and of creation. He likewise integrates this in his youth ministry"; sharing of our material resources; transparency in financial matters; recognising new poverties, be they the inordinate use of media, demands for youth labout, migration....
d) New frontiers. In this part the recommendations could already be found in the GC26 recommendations
Religious Discipline
"The term ‘discipline’, coming from the same root as the word ‘disciple’, means, indeed, the way to undergo to become disciples. Religious discipline is about being a faithful disciple and not merely about following some norms or fulfilling some laws. The majority of the confreres of the region have taken in true religious and Salesian values and are living their religious commitment well with a great spirit of belonging and dedication. Most of the confreres show the courage to face their failings and the willingness to address issues of infidelity with a certain degree of honesty. There are some who do not follow the rules and regulations of the Institute giving rise to disorder, scandal and influencing negatively the community and the province. In order to help us to be faithful disciples we resolve to abided by the following steps: processes that will enable the confreres to grow in consecrated freedom and not just in ‘guided’ freedom. Accountability not only to the Salesian community and the province but also to our beneficiaries through a process of realistic and sincere social audit. In addressing cases of the abuse of minors and including improper relationships both with men and women, we will abide by the guidelines of the Congregation, the Church and the laws of the country. We will make our communities numerically consistent and appoint as Rectors people who can both animate and govern. Confreres given opportunities for ongoing formation and offered the possibility for competent spiritual accompaniment. Steps to address not only personal indiscipline but also institutional indiscipline
And to conclude: "Today, like yesterday, we are not alone, but we have Mary as teacher and mother. 'Get up and let’s go' (Mk 14,42)."
JAPAN
We are all well up-to-date with the general scene, be it in the Northern Region where the Tsunami did most damage, or Tokyo and surrounds where the earthquake itself caused damage. The Salesian situation? No serious damage and no loss of life or injury (our houses are not north of Tokyo). In Tokyo itself, minor damage to a number of community structures: the Cross fell off the bell tower of the Meguro Parish Church. A surrounding wall at Adachi and the Guardian Angels statues all disintegrated! Kawasaki's statue of the Sacred Heart fell down and an old part of the kindergarten was damaged. The greatest damage in terms of collapsed bookshelves and general upset was at the bookshop and religious objects sales outlet at Don Bosco Sha.
Let's keep the people of Japan in our prayers.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Team Visit, EAO: RM's closing points
(and below, a brief roundup from Japan from a Salesian perspective)
HUA HIN: 12 March 2011 -- "Rather than multiplying guidelines I invite you to concentrate your efforts and resources on four action areas to which you yourselves have given priority, and through which you will be able to face the challenges of the economic, social, cultural and religious situation in the Region", the Rector major told participants in his concluding address to the EAO Team Visit which has taken place at Hua Hin over these days. What follows is an indication of the main points of this 'invitation', and serves as a broad summary of content, rather than chronology. To keep it brief, what follows also includes paraphrase.
Salesian Mission in its global context
"The secret of the renewal of provinces and local communities is to be found in article 3 of the Constitutions, Our apostolic consecration, where we read: “Our apostolic mission, our fraternal community and the practice of the evangelical counsels are the inseparable elements of our consecration which we live in a single movement of love towards God and towards our brothers. Our mission sets the tenor of our whole life.” In this way mission is for us, Salesians, the centre of gravity and the driving force of our life.... I consider it, therefore, fitting to define first the global challenges of the historical moment we are living through worldwide, emphasising that these are at the same time opportunities for the renewal of our Salesian life and mission. We cannot fail to notice, secondly, how this Region is composed of diverse economic, social, cultural and religious realities that do not allow us to speak in uniform terms".
1. Cultural challenges. The RM goes on to note postmodernity, inculturation and inter-cultural mindset, secularistion and secularism as key cultural challenges. Postmodernity's onset, with positive and negative aspects, touches this region, though its full impact may yet be ahead. the RM asks for a balance between inculturation and inter-cultural thinking: the test of inculturation is greater faith commitment because faith is perceived through the eyes of one's own culture. Secularisation is not in itself negative, but its forces often degenerate into secularism. The RM makes the point that it may be more a risk for the Salesians themselves than for the many deeply religious peoples of the region.
2. Church Challenges. Amongst Church challenges, he lists evangelisation (not an option but a missionary obligation). It means, for us, finding and using new channels (street, media, music, information...). Pluralism is a challenge - it can become relativism: the challenge here is thinking and reflection to then be translated into social commitment. Inter-religious dialogue in this region is crucial: we need a "ministry of intelligent conciliation; we are called to give account of our faith in public places". An implication is concliation, first of all in community!
3. Institutional challenges. Initial formation. The Ratio's 'Criteria and Norms' are simply not known or not applied. Little clarity about structuring accompaniment, evidence of fragmentation and lack of assimilation of the Congregation's guidelines on pastoral ministry: mission, youth ministry, communication, vocation activity need integration. The RM also notes weakness in animation and governance especially at provincial and local levels noted in such things as an absence of quantitative and qualitative consistency of some communities, disproportionate ratios of work/community, low profile of the Rector... in other words animation and governance has yet to overcome certain mindsets, resistance to change.
4. Personal challenges. Individualism tops the bill, in its various manifestations. Lack of awareness of consecrated identity which can lead to disaffection, poverty not seen as a qualifying asset, affective and effective alienation from the young. Clear identity is a key to good evangelisation. But another element to be attended to is the affective dimension in terms of interpersonal relationships, the intellectual dimension, spiritual life, pastoral action. it all needs 'warmth'. without this confreres cannot successfully address challenges, difficulties.
Fostering Salesian Mission in East Asia-Oceania
The RM notes the 'Springtime' in much of east Asia: the foundation of new local Churches (e.g. in Mongolia), the birth of new local missionary institutes (Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia), a fresh proclamation of the Gospel and the flourishing of vocations despite the diaspora-like situation (Vietnam, Timor Leste and Indonesia, South Korea). Within the Church of East Asia we are witnessing an impressive growth: the last 15 years has seen a fourfold increase in the number of priests, men religious have increased by 40% and women religious by 30%. Hundreds of missionaries “ad gentes” and “ad vitam” have gone out from the local Churches. In the Pacific part of the Region many religious Congregations are still looking for expressions of consecrated life in local cultures shared by missionary members from abroad and by indigenous members. In Australia, on the other hand, the efforts of consecrated persons are directed towards pastoral work for vocations and the formation of lay collaborators in line with the various charisms of the Congregations concerned.
He presents the region with a threefold interpretation of the Da Mihi Animas as a way of responding to all this:
– mysticism: in a Region which is in general deeply religious, it is essential to ensure in our consecrated confreres a strong personal experience of God;
– prophecy: our religious communities are called upon to be courageous in living the Gospel as an alternative model for living;
– service: for the benefit of the poor youth and those marginalised for economic, sexual, racial or religious reasons, in imitation of Jesus who humbled himself and came to serve and not to be served. He concludes by offering the following areas (and each has its own several points, too many to recall here):
a) Starting afresh from Don Bosco: a heartfelt sense of this in the region but beware superficiality in knowledge of the Founder; Good translations and a clearer and homogeneous terminology are required.; reckon on spiritual direction, people trained in spirituality and Salesianity. Cultivate people with strong personal values.
b) Evangelisation and Vocation promotion. We are aware of its importance. See to a Christ-centred education; deep updated knowledge of Jesus Christ without false Christologies; evangelisation is not an individual activity; recognising the 'seeds of the kingdom' in Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam etc; training in Eastern methods of prayer; generous response to 'missio ad gentes'. And above all - primacy of God.
c) Poverty and New Frontiers. Poverty constitutes an integral part of our being consecrated persons; its first manifestation “is the total giving of oneself to God in availability to the needs of the young; this brings with it self-renunciation and putting aside individual projects in order to share those of the community” (GC26, 79). Here the RM calls on "Stewardship as an expression of living out evangelical poverty. The Salesian practices this by taking care of the earth and of creation. He likewise integrates this in his youth ministry"; sharing of our material resources; transparency in financial matters; recognising new poverties, be they the inordinate use of media, demands for youth labout, migration....
d) New frontiers. In this part the recommendations could already be found in the GC26 recommendations
Religious Discipline
"The term ‘discipline’, coming from the same root as the word ‘disciple’, means, indeed, the way to undergo to become disciples. Religious discipline is about being a faithful disciple and not merely about following some norms or fulfilling some laws. The majority of the confreres of the region have taken in true religious and Salesian values and are living their religious commitment well with a great spirit of belonging and dedication. Most of the confreres show the courage to face their failings and the willingness to address issues of infidelity with a certain degree of honesty. There are some who do not follow the rules and regulations of the Institute giving rise to disorder, scandal and influencing negatively the community and the province. In order to help us to be faithful disciples we resolve to abided by the following steps: processes that will enable the confreres to grow in consecrated freedom and not just in ‘guided’ freedom. Accountability not only to the Salesian community and the province but also to our beneficiaries through a process of realistic and sincere social audit. In addressing cases of the abuse of minors and including improper relationships both with men and women, we will abide by the guidelines of the Congregation, the Church and the laws of the country. We will make our communities numerically consistent and appoint as Rectors people who can both animate and govern. Confreres given opportunities for ongoing formation and offered the possibility for competent spiritual accompaniment. Steps to address not only personal indiscipline but also institutional indiscipline
And to conclude: "Today, like yesterday, we are not alone, but we have Mary as teacher and mother. 'Get up and let’s go' (Mk 14,42)."
JAPAN
We are all well up-to-date with the general scene, be it in the Northern Region where the Tsunami did most damage, or Tokyo and surrounds where the earthquake itself caused damage. The Salesian situation? No serious damage and no loss of life or injury (our houses are not north of Tokyo). In Tokyo itself, minor damage to a number of community structures: the Cross fell off the bell tower of the Meguro Parish Church. A surrounding wall at Adachi and the Guardian Angels statues all disintegrated! Kawasaki's statue of the Sacred Heart fell down and an old part of the kindergarten was damaged. The greatest damage in terms of collapsed bookshelves and general upset was at the bookshop and religious objects sales outlet at Don Bosco Sha.
Let's keep the people of Japan in our prayers.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
