Batangas, Philippines, April 18, 2016 - Today, Fr. Arokiam Kanaga, SDB, the South Asia Regional Superior, ends his Extraordinary Canonical Visitation to the FIN Province. He stayed in the FIN Province for two months as the Rector Major’s representative. He started his extraordinary visit last February 4 during the monthly assembly of the Rectors. He was able to visit all the twenty-six Salesian settings during these two months and listened to the rendiconto of all the FIN confreres.
During his stay in the FIN Province, he was able to witness the re-installation of the image of Mary Help of Christians at the Manila Cathedral last February 20 that was attended by the different members of the Salesian Family. He personally met the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, DD, who was the Main Celebrant of this historic event.
Also during his stay in the Province, he was also able to give a Good Night Talk to the EAO Provincial Superiors and Delegate Superiors last March 8. During his talk, the Rector Major and some members of his Council were present too.
On this last day of his extraordinary visitation, he met first the Provincial, Fr. Paul Bicomong, and his Council from 8:30am to 9:30am. At 10:00am, he met and talked to the confreres and shared with them his observations and recommendations. There was an open forum at around 11:30am where he listened to some of the confreres’ thoughts, reflections, and reactions.
After a hearty lunch prepared by the community of Don Bosco Batulao, he left for the Provincial House to take some rest.
At 6:00pm, he left the Provincial House to catch his 9:00pm flight to Papua New Guinea for his next extraordinary visitation.
The confreres of the FIN Province are very grateful to him for his very friendly and brotherly presence. His observations and recommendations are rich materials for the Province to consider seriously in living up to the challenges of General Chapter 27. They will definitely be the guide for the confreres who will attend the Provincial Chapter this coming May 1-7.
NB:
The FIN extraordinary visitation comprised still 3 countries (Philippines North, PNG and Solomon Islands). Until May 15 Fr. Maria Arokiam is continuing the extraordinary visitation in the PGS Delegation together with the consultation for the first Superior of the PGS Vice-province. The official start of PGS Viceprovince is scheduled for July 9, when the first Superior will be installed in Port Moresby.
