ROME: 21st September '04 --  While not codified in Salesian law nor referred to in the Constitutions and Regulations as such, the 'team visit' (Italian visita d'insieme) has, since the time of Fr Luigi Ricceri's term as Rector Major, become an important instrument of animation and government for the Rector Major and his council with reference to the various regional contexts.  It has the support of GC 25 as one of the possible instruments for animation and government (GC 25,91).  The next such visit for the East Asia Oceania region is scheduled for early 2005, at Hua Hin, Thailand, and planning is well in hand.

 

The Team Visit 2005 will look at the experiences of provinces in the region over the past 20 years, bearing in mind major issues  selected by the preparatory commission based on available data.  Particularly prominent over that period have been issues regarding interior life and Salesian identity.

The Visit will also concern itself with the awareness, reflection and implementation of GC25 on the renewal of community life throughout the region.  This has been a major thrust of all the provinces concerned, and would tie in also with the experiences of the past twenty years. 

 

In recent months, the PNG Catholic Church National Assembly has been successfully held - this, according to the preparatory commission, would appear to offer a useful model to the Team Visit for a methodology of reflection and decision.

 

In the meantime, the region, through its regional superior Fr Klement and with the assistance of provincials and their councils, has been working towards a regional vision-mission statement.  This will be finalised at the Team Visit.  The aim of such a statement is to spell out the kind of collaboration, sharing, solidarity and networking expected in and of the region, giving due consideration to the cultural diversity found in the Congregation, and to accompany the process of inculturation especially in problem areas, in this way ensuring fidelity to the charism. (GC 25, 88).

'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific.  It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome.  Try also www.bosconet.aust.com.  Did you know that 'educommunication' is the most recent word to seek a permanent place in Salesian discourse?  For its meaning and further comment cf Lexisdb.