(ANS - Rome)– It is true to say that the Chapter document is being written by many hands. How many hands? Those of all Chapter members, though in many different ways and with different levels of participation.

The drafting group has the task of drawing up the document, taking into consideration the comments of individual members  and commissions. It is probably the most burdensome task of all.

The assembly participates in many ways, especially with straw votes.  Also, the chapter members often vote juxta modum, and then participate in a discussion to finalize the text.

It is a collective work that is gradually producing the final document.

But it is not only a matter of drawing up the final document. There have been many interventions from the Juridical Commission, which has studied more than 100 proposals - including some suggested by the chapter itself, and some by the provincial chapters and by individual confreres.  It has responded to each and given the reasons for its decisions.

Many proposals have been brought  to the attention of the whole Assembly and today, Tuesday 8 April, there has been another definitive vote. This was on a proposal that asked  “the Rector Major and the General Council to establish an 'Economic Commission', composed of non-resident members, Salesians and non-Salesian professionals, who will collaborate regularly with the Economer General."  This will be one of the advisory groups - at world level - foreseen by art. 185 of the General Regulations.

The resolution is accompanied by a list of 11 tasks to be entrusted to this Commission, in light of the report of the Economer General to the Chapter Assembly.

Before the end of the General Chapter there will be time given to the regions, especially with a view to looking at the way ahead for the next six years in the regions, the provinces and the houses.

For this purpose, during the first session this afternoon the Regional Councillors will meet with the Moderator, and in the second session the Chapter members will meet with their respective Regional Councillors.

During these final days of the Chapter, the Rector Major will participate in the Eucharist daily in the different regional groups.

Published 08/04/2014