Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Today, the PGC focused its work and discussions on human resources management issues. Under our own law, certain assignments in the Provinces are entrusted to the brothers with the approval of the Superior General in his plenary council. These include, among others, the appointments of provincial formators, superiors of major houses of formation, and masters of novices. Accordingly, the Provincials presented their proposals for approval today, and our brothers will be informed of these at the appropriate time.
The nature of the Church and consecrated life regularly calls for stepping down from one’s duties so that a new spirit may continue to enliven the Christian community. Although this may seem like a routine refrain, the PGC must not forget to fulfill its noble duty of expressing gratitude to the brothers who will soon be passing the torch to others. May they receive grace and blessings in their new missions in the service of ART!
What makes this PGC unique is that it is being held, on this occasion, in the Eastern Mission. We know how deeply this reality is cherished by our Institute, and the decision to come to the Eastern Mission is therefore by no means a matter of chance. We wanted, in fact, to mark our return to Iaşi with a special touch. The history of our presence in Romania mentions this place several times, so this is not our first time here; we were already here at the beginning of the20th century. Our brother Florentin just reminded the members of the PGC of this tonight during a lovely, convivial evening organized by the Iaşi community.
Here, as in all Eastern European countries, the Assumption has always been committed to fostering dialogue between the Eastern and Latin Churches. In fact, our first foundations in Romania were specifically of the Greek Catholic (Eastern) rite. Our brothers also endured, in faith, the trials of the communist regime: brothers condemned to live in hiding, in exile, or in prison. Unlike in the past, our communities today follow the Latin rite. This PGC is, for the entire congregation, an opportunity to rediscover one of the important dimensions of our charism—which remains a call from God—that of dialogue between the two lungs of the Church and the Christian faith: the Eastern and the Western. We have already committed to this through the opening of the St. Peter and St. Andrew Center in Bucharest in 2010 and through the founding of our community in Iaşi in 2024.
And so we have wrapped up the penultimate day of the conference. The final day will be devoted to decision-making and the closing of this major event. The PGC promises to keep you updated with the latest news.
Fr. Thierry KAHONGYA
