(ANS - Rome) - "We Salesians and I, personally, want to be open to the world and to society. We are not here to stay inside the walls, but to have a look at the world. I am here for you now." That was how Fr Ángel Fernández Artime greeted the journalists at his first press conference as Rector Major, at the Generalate in Rome on the morning of 2 April.
The Press Conference was necessary on account of the many requests for interviews and statements that reached the Salesian iNfo Agency from the media in many countries ever since 25 March, the date of his election as the tenth Successor of Don Bosco.
The Rector Major was accompanied by his Vicar, Fr Francis Cereda, and Doctor Carlo Di Cicco, Deputy Director of the Osservatore Romano who acted as moderator.
This position came as a surprise to Fr Fernandez, even though he has already served as Provincial in Spain and in Argentina. He also has some experience of the missionary situation in Africa and more recently has got to know something of the countries of Latin America. He also served in the past as Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, but he never thought he would be elected as Rector Major.
“Are the first points of the programme of government ready?” Certainly not! We will have to wait until the conclusion of the General Chapter, which is the highest authority in the Congregation. Only then, on 14 April, will the Rector Major begin to work closely with his Council. Of course, in keeping with the example of Pope Francis whom Fr Fernandez knows already from Buenos Aires, our priority will be to care for the people on the margins. For the Salesians, this means especially being present with the young and those who receive least attention.
The Pope has reminded us of this priority but it was also the focus of discussion in the chapter assembly. The needs are great and there are many demands. "We know we cannot save the whole world, but we can certainly be the voice of the voiceless."
Asked about his previous experience with Cardinal Bergoglio, the Rector Major confirmed what was already known - his spontaneity in relationships, his simplicity and his care for those who are neglected. "I personally had experience of his spontaneity in relationships as, for example, his use of the phone."
The next question was about numbers: “What is the situation regarding vocations?” Fr Fernandez repeated what was already known: we have an average of 500 novices each year, but the situation varies greatly from country to country and from continent to continent. At present Africa is the continent that shows most potential. One indication of the change that has taken place is that, for the first time, the Chapter has chosen an African confrere as Regional for Africa-Madagascar.
The Rector Major is at the centre of the whole Salesian Family, a large family with more than 30 groups. This represents a huge potential for a charismatic presence at the service of young people. In response to a specific question on the relationship with the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Fr Fernandez expressed the hope that all the groups of the Salesian Family would enjoy "full autonomy and the necessary communion."
With reference to the Bicentenary, again in response to a specific question, the Rector Major said that the visit of Pope Francis to Turin and the exposition of the Shroud at the same time, will be “a wonderful gift”. The date has not yet been announced.
There were questions both in the press conference and in a specific interview about the ongoing Gerini dispute. Fr Fernandez passed the question to Fr Cereda, since he himself had no part in the government of the society in recent years and could not therefore give an adequate response.
He did however point out that this is not an issue that involves the entire congregation, but only the limited group of the Direzione Generale. In any case, in the administration of goods the only line to be followed is that of transparency and correctness, as well as the involvement of people from outside the Congregation who are qualified and competent to do the appropriate auditing.
Fr Cereda stated that the involvement of the Direzione Generale Opere Don Boscoin the affairs of the Fondazione Ecclesiastica Teresa e Lippo Gerinicame about as a result of a guarantee in respect of the foundation signed on behalf of the Direzione Generale in June 2007.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Public Prosecutor into the transaction were closed and then re-opened, and until today there is no final decision. As a result, the Legal Body of the Direzione Generale Opere Don Boscowas pledged together with some goods of the Foundation. However, “this does not mean that the Salesian Congregation or the ninety Salesian provinces around the world are pledged.”
It is hoped that "the arguments made by our lawyers will invalidate the act from which it all began, namely the transaction in June 2007, and that every suit pending with the heirs will be closed."
Published 02/04/2014
