(ANS - Rome)- A Meeting of the Provincials of Europe took place from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 November. It was organized around three main axes: the development of Project Europe from 2009 to 2014; the family in Europe; and planning  for Project Europe for the years 2015-2020.

This was the fifth meting of the Provincials of Europe. It began with the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Then Fr Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major, presented the work programme to the forty-seven participants. They included all the Provincials and Superiors of Delegations of Europe, together with the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and the members of the General Council.  In his opening talk on the  Friday afternoon, the Rector Major spoke of the way forward for Europe in the light of the 27th Salesian General Chapter.  Sr. Alaide Deretti, Councillor for the Missions and Sr. Marija Pece, Visiting Councilor, were in attendance, representing the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

At the end of the first day the responses of the Provinces to the questionnaire on Project Europe were read, and all those present reflected together on the limitations, strengths and challenges of the project.

On the morning of the second day the focus was on the family. The Salesian Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, spoke about the pastoral challenges facing the family in the context of evangelization, and the Provincials reflected on their work in this field.

The afternoon continued with a discussion on interculturalism in the Salesian communities and works in Europe. This took up the rest of the day together with the reports from the councillors for the various sectors who looked at the topic in relation to their respective areas of responsibility.

After a short reflection by the Rector Major on interculturalism as a richness. Fr Cereda gave a further brief introduction. Fr Ivo Coelho spoke about intercultural training in the formation communities. Fr Fabio Attard reflected on the approach of Salesian educative pastoral communities in relation to the phenomenon of  migration issues. Fr Guillermo Basañes spoke about the intercultural contribution missionaries bring to Europe.  Fr Filiberto González spoke of the role of Social Communication at the service of interculturalism and finally Bro. Jean Paul Muller developed the theme from the point of view of the contributions made by the Mission Offices of Europe.

This session was enriched by time set aside for questions and answers as well as  various spontaneous contributions by  Provincials and time also for group work on the topic.

Yesterday began with the Eucharistic celebration of the first Sunday of Advent, which also marked the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life. The final activities consisted of small group meetings to draw up plans for Project Europe and some time for a final sharing in the assembly.

Published 01/12/2014