News
Brother Didier inaugurated our working day with a presentation on interprovincial solidarity
Rome
The Roman sky is filled by clouds, but the temperature outside is rather mild for the season. For the members of the CGP, these meteorological considerations are of little importance because they are kept at the house of Due Pini, our Roman residence, by the study of the files.
Brother Didier inaugurated our working day with a presentation on interprovincial solidarity. It is a matter of appealing to the generosity of provinces with some resources to support those who have more "needs than means". The General Treasurer has a good knowledge of the reality because he travels each year to most provinces. This is how he can support the Provincial Treasurers in the realization of the budgets and determine with them the amount of aid to be requested. The needs are considerable because we have many brothers in formation. The apostolic fund allows us to release some resources, but this is insufficient. We must ask the provinces to complete the budget. The generosity is there. But difficulties are emerging: a decrease in the number of religious-missionaries receiving a pension in the young provinces and the near disappearance of Mass intentions. We must therefore be imaginative and find other sources of financing for the coming years. The young Assumptionist realities are invited to encourage the search for local benefactors, but also to manage the grounds well in order tomake them profitable. Why are there so few good farmers at Assumption? Our Oblate sisters are more successful than we are in this area.
Another exercise occupied us in the morning. It was to study the elements obtained from the survey that was done among the members of the PGC concerning the evolution of the structures of the congregation. We had difficulty reaching agreement, but suggestions were made that will be presented to the General Chapter. An Assumption divided into linguistic territories. An Assumption with groupings of provinces. An Assumption with new vice-provinces in Africa and Asia. A new involvement of the CGO in the animation of the territories. All this deserves to be discerned and studied patiently.
To conclude the morning we continue to evaluate the General Secretariat in Formation. We are convinced of the validity of this initiative of the 2017 Chapter and we want to make it more effective.
The afternoon is dedicated to the meetings between provincials, vicars and the General. The provincial of Europe receives the prize for the brother most in demand for exchanges. Tomorrow we will celebrate the Immaculate Conception. The Pope will go to the Spanish Plaza to honor the statue of the Virgin. We will continue the work.