(ANS – Lyons) – The Team Visit in Western Europe ended yesterday, 11 August. The Councils from the 8 Provinces of the Western Europe Region shared what they had achieved in the past few years, especially the follow-up to the 26th General Chapter.

Special attention was given to Project Europe, particularly the third dimension: Europe as a mission territory. The reorganisation of the Region, intended principally as a means of personal and community renewal, will involve the six Spanish provinces uniting as two circumscriptions in 2014.

The reports and the discussions also dealt with other themes such as: the radical nature of consecrated life as prophetic, with particular attention to evangelical poverty, the importance of evangelisation in Salesian youth ministry and the challenges of proclaiming Jesus in the European context, and the urgent renewal of vocations ministry.

In an atmosphere of openness, prayer and fraternal life, the participants were able to reflect and to share their experiences and the desire to go forward side by side.

"We have had a meaningful experience together with the Successor of Don Bosco. It will enable us to move forward in communion with the entire Congregation and in harmony with the Provinces in the Region", declared Don José Miguel Nuñez Moreno, General Councillor for the Western Europe Region. "The times we are living in require broad vision and strong leadership, so that we can continue to be faithful to God, to the Church, to the Salesian charism and to the young people of Europe."

Published 12/8/2011