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Enlarged General Council - Ariccia 2008

The Enlarged General Council 2008 took place in Ariccia, few miles South of Rome, on 26 May–8 June.

Among the main topics on the agenda were Implementation of the decisions of Torre d'Aguilia 2004, Confreres on first appointment, Organisation of the Congregation, Consolidation of Spiritan presence in Latin America and Asia, Financial and economic matters, Spiritual renewal of the Congregation, The Spiritan vocation and way of life, Questions linked to formation, Lay Associates and the General Chapter 2012.

An EGC gives the General Council an official forum on which to give an account of how they have set about applying the decisions of the last General Chapter, in this case, (Torre d'Aguilha 2004). Also, the General Council has an opportunity to raise any questions or doubts they may have, seeking advice on their interpretations and policies, while receiving encouragement on the reforms that are being undertaken and considering new means to be adopted.

The venue for the 2008 EGC, has historical significance both for the Spiritans and the Church as a whole. Casa Divin Maestro (Ariccia) – a conference centre run by the Society of St. Paul – played host to many of the bishops who attended the Second Vatican Council. Many of the Vatican II documents had their origins in the corridors and meeting rooms of this centre.

In 1840 Fr. Libermann spent time in this same area. According to an article by Mgr Jean Gay “ Relevance of Libermann” (Spiritan papers no. 6), “The steps Fr. Libermann had to take in Rome in 1840 to get his project approved were repugnant to his temperament. He was happy when he could just leave his dossier in the hands of the religious authorities and simply trust in the providence. The long wait for a Roman decision afforded him leisure to go and spend a few days with a hermit who was also said to be a Jewish convert. This was in the Alban Hills, in a remote spot not far from the lake of Nemi . He was delighted with everything in the little town of Ariccia , but especially with the air of profound peace he seemed to breathe there.”

Fr. Fogarty, the moderator, expressed his hope that the delegates to the EGC 2008 would find the same peace in this place and the same energy that would enable us to recommit ourselves to the mission of the Congregation.

The central theme of The General Superior's welcome address was an expression of gratitude.
Gratitude to God for the courage and endurance of Spiritans, the marvellous spirit of initiative and creativity they reflect, their humility and modesty and for the spirit of availability of confreres.

On the day of recollection, 27 May, the Anniversary of the Founding of the Seminary of the Holy Spirit in 1703, the EGC members reflected on the theme of Transition. Fr. Fernando Dominguès of the Urbanian University who led the recollection day reminded us that at each moment of our history, we are always living in a state of transition - permanent transition. In this situation we have to find a way by which we can continue to remain faithful to the gifts and traditions we have received while at the same time being dynamically open to the new challenges of our own time.

In the evening of the same day, the Superior General presided over a solemn celebration of Eucharist. Developing the theme “Building on the Rock”, he said that the three main rocks on which Poullart des Places built the foundation of the early Spiritan family are personal conversion, community living and service to the poor.

He expressed his confidence that these three remain the core foundation on which our Congregation stands today and his hope that the three will always be the rocks on which the future of our Congregation will be built.

During the afternoon session on Wednesday 28th May, the moderator, Fr. John Fogarty, read out a message of sympathy from Cardinal Secretary of State ( Vatican ) to the Superior General on the recent death of our confrere Mgr. Pierre Sagna, thanking him for his service to the Church and assuring him of prayers for the repose of his soul. In the same afternoon Fr. John Kilcrann informed the assembly, during a presentation, that our Congregation has now been invited to become a full member of VIVAT international. To know more about VIVAT International, visit www.vivatinternational.org.

Concerning the spiritual renewal of the Congregation, the EGC looked at the role of the Centre for Spiritan Studies (CSS) at Duquesne in training confreres and preparing programs for formation in Spiritan spirituality and how it could work together with other Centres of on-going formation growing in the Congregation. The EGC appraised the already existing means of communicating the Spiritan charism (i.e. Spiritan magazines, reviews, journals, digital Spiritan collection, Spiritan Anthology, etc.) and encouraged more efforts along this line. The questions of how to celebrate the 300 th anniversary of the death of Claude Poullart des Places and promote the beatifications / canonization of our Spiritan founders and other Spiritan ancestors received extensive discussion.

Regarding Health Insurance, Jean-Pierre Delsarte of the French Province explained the EMI (Entraide Missionaire Internationale) system of health insurance which is available to all circumscriptions, especially those which do not have any creditable system locally. He gave details of the scheme to the delegates. Speaking about the Congregation's Pension Fund, The General Bursar explained the decision by the General Council to ask for increased contributions over a period of years so as to meet up with the growing number of beneficiaries.

On Saturday 31 May, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, celebrated Eucharist with the EGC members. He later joined us for a festive meal. Talking about New Commitments, the Superior General told the EGC delegates that the GC is looking at requests from South Sudan , Botswana , Liberia and Burundi . He added that requests from New Zealand and the island of Grenada had been refused. He said it is encouraging to see that many Bishops want to have Spiritans in their Dioceses. Addressing the assembly earlier, Fr. Michael Onwuemelie said that the growth of our presence in East Asia is very encouraging, and that there are some very good signs as regards possible expansion into new countries like mainland China and India.

Issues regarding Lay associates and Spiritan Brothers were discussed extensively. It was

re-emphasised that the motive for welcoming Lay Associates in the Congregation is basically ecclesial to the extent that the Church is understood as communion and participation.

Regarding the next General Chapter which takes place in the year 2012, it was unanimously agreed that it would take place somewhere in the continent of Africa . Among the countries mentioned as potential hosts are: Tanzania , South Africa , Nigeria , Kenya , Ghana and Angola.

On Sunday, June 1, members of the EGC joined the Spiritan community and parishioners of Santa Brigida, Palmarola for a celebration of the Eucharist. They were welcomed by Fr Maciej Sierzputowski, the parish priest and his assistants, Frs Paul Nde and Guy-Léandre Nakavoua. The EGC members were very pleased to get to know the only parish run by Spiritans in Italy . By providence this is the date the Parish celebrates its titular feast, St. Brigida of Sweden . Fr. John Kwofie preached on the theme of “Building on the Rock”, the same theme chosen earlier by the General Council for the EGC and the actual Gospel of the day.

In the morning of Saturday 7 June, the EGC came to a close. In his closing speech the Superior General expressed his sincere gratitude to all the delegates, Priests, brothers and the invited representative of the Lay Associates. Thanking the functionaries, each by name, he said their contribution to the success of the EGC was very much appreciated.

A three day evaluation session on the EGC has been scheduled for September, when the General Council, after studying the minutes and the syntheses of the topics dealt with, will consider what orientations to follow in carrying out its mandate up to the next General Chapter. In particular, the Council will look at what suggestions have been made to celebrate the forthcoming tercentenary of Fr. Claude-Francois Poullart des Places' death in 2009.