Meeting of the five Coordinators with the General Council

The annual meeting of the five Coordinators with the General Council took place in Rome from 13 to 17 March 2017. It was the first meeting of this kind after the General Chapter in Thailand, therefore four new General Consulters had the opportunity to experience the different ways of working of the restructuring process through the Conference structures.

The major part of the work was dedicated to the preparation of the Third Phases of the General Chapter in the various continents. The Third Phase is also called “The Phase of the implementation” of the 52 decisions taken in Thailand.

The Main objectives of Phase III of the General Chapter are:

1. To communicate to the entire Congregation, the spirit of the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter.

2. To seek ways of implementing the Decisions of the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter in such a way that these decisions will:

• a)   Revitalize the Apostolic Life of the Congregation
• b)   Continue the Process of Restructuring for Mission
• c)   Deepen the spirit of Solidarity throughout the Congregation

3. To provide an opportunity for the General Government to communicate this Vision and Plan for the Congregation for the Sexennium 2016-2022.

4. To devise a Programme for the Sexennium for the Conferences.

The real success of the restructuring process depends on “The Apostolic Plan” which must be made for every Conference. The detailed plan which will be synchronized with “The General Government Plan of Action: 2017 – 2022” will be prepared by “the Commission for the Apostolic Plan and Process for Restructuring” in every Conference. The members of this commission for the CRE will be chosen by the Conference Council after consultation during the Assembly of the CRE.

Much work was also done In the area of a new model of the General Visits in our Congregation. The last General Chapter decided to revitalize the Apostolic Life of the Congregation and to promote a greater awareness among confreres of the process of restructuring. To do this the General Government will integrate a programme of Renewal of our Life and Mission with the Visitations during the sexennium beginning in 2016.

Other issues considered during the meeting were: the specific topics during the Assemblies of the Conferences, new General Secretariats and Commissions and their style of working.

Jacek Zdrzałek CSsR