Phase One of the 26th General Chapter: Video Reports from the General Government
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May 13, 2022Phase One of the 26th General Chapter meeting continued with a series of video reports from the General Government in Rome. The purpose of the video presentations was to offer a brief summary of written reports that the participants in Phase I of the General Chapter received in advance. The reports concerned the work of various secretariats, commissions, and other offices of the General Government over the past six years.
Among the reports were those from the Secretariats of Formation, Evangelization, and Finance. The Secretariat for Formation noted achievements and ongoing challenges at the levels of both initial and ongoing formation. The Secretariat for Evangelization has five commissions with their own specific focus: the Commission for Social Pastoral Care, Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; the Commission for New Initiatives and Pastoral Evangelization; the Commission for Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry; the Commission for Shared Mission; and the Commission for Africa and Madagascar.
The report from the Secretariat for Finance focused on how it had responded to and fulfilled mandates from the 25th General Chapter.Almost all reports noted the impact of the Covid pandemic on their ability to carry out all the tasks entrusted to them since the 25th General Chapter. Nonetheless, they reported on the extent of their meetings and various goals that were reached and those that remain for the years to come.
In addition there were reports from various commissions: the Commission on the Alphonsian Academy was established by the 25th General Chapter to study and evaluate the ministry of the Academy; and the Commission for Brothers which also responded to decisions of the 25th General Chapter and addressed other issues and concerns about the vocation of the brother in the Congregation.
Finally, other reports were presented: the report from the General Treasurer, from the president of the Alphonsian Academy, a report from the superior of the Sant’Alfonso community in Rome. His report touched on both the community of Sant’Alfonso and the work at the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
The last presentation was from the Secretary General who reported on other office of the General Government, such as communications and the Postulator General whose task is to promote the cause of the sanctity of members of the Congregation.
In some ways the reports are simply providing information and accountability to the members of the General Chapter. They also, in some cases, offer concrete proposals for consideration at Phase II of the General Chapter.
In the end, the reports gave a snapshot of the work of the various secretariats and commissions of the General Government and invited the chapter members to reflect on that work and to offer feedback to the various secretariats and commissions.The second day of Phase I was a day of both listening and discussion, all material to continue the work of evaluating the congregation’s fidelity to our mission at this time in the Church.
