Approving the financial report
A quickly growing region
Interspersed between the various activities of the chapter are the reports from the provinces, regions and districts. Following the approval of the minutes from Tuesday's session, representatives of the Region of Madagascar took the floor to deliver their report.
The Priests of the Sacred Heart first arrived in Madagascar in 2000. Members of the South Italian and Portuguese Provinces responded to the bishops' plea for assistance in their dioceses. Soon, the region developed several formation programs. Now, 38 of the 54 SCJs in the region are indigenous. The province includes two bishops, 15 men who do parish ministry, 10 in formation work, two who teach at the university, and 21 students (one of whom is studying in Rome).
Realizing the need for schools, the region has established several, including a technical and business school. Once established, the region generally turns over operation of a school to one of the women's religious communities in the country. Thousands of students are enrolled in the SCJ schools. Soon, the region hopes to develop a pastoral ministry for laborers in a mining region.
Reflecting on the General Treasurer's Report
After hearing presentations on the General Treasurer's Report, as well as that of the Chapter Finance Committee's review of the Financial Reports of the Entities, delegates spent the rest of Thursday morning in linguistic groups. Using prepared questions, they discussed the reports in preparation for a vote on them.
In the first plenary session of the afternoon, representatives of the small groups reported on their discussions.
Universally, there was appreciation for the work done by the general treasurer and Chapter Finance Committee. Many felt that there was a good blend of both pastoral and practical concerns in regards to finances. The report seemed to give a good picture of the General Curia, yet many wondered if they had a good picture of the congregation as a whole. In his presentation and in the written report, Fr. Aquilino often said that not every entity submits timely financial reports to the General Curia. Several delegates expressed their disappointment, asking "how can the congregation have full solidarity if not all entities participate fully?"
Many noted the importance of developing autonomous entities, but also the struggle that some will have in reaching such self-sufficiency. Yet the young provinces are beginning much as the established provinces did. Typically, a province began with a focus on formation and then developed into wider ministries, including greater financial development. As noted yesterday, established provinces must walk with and lend support to developing entities. However, it must also be noted that what works in one area of the world may not work in another. The congregation needs to be creative in finding resources to support itself. And while established provinces must help younger ones, they should be mindful not to become paternalistic.
All of the language groups endorsed the general treasurer's recommendation for better training of the treasurers, and beyond that, education in financial matters and financial solidarity in the earliest stages of formation. Again and again, it was noted that the sharing of finances isn't simply a way to pay the bills but a way of life for religious. The ideas of transparency, and sharing and living within appropriate means must be emphasized in formation and then frequently revisited throughout an SCJ's lifetime -- not only individually but as a community.
Linguistic groups agreed that standard accounting sheets would be beneficial; however many also noted the financial particularities of each country that can sometimes get in the way of standardization. A similar concern was raised about the adoption of the "1% Policy," in which each entity gives 1% of its income each year to the General Curia. Some provinces donate well over 1% of their income to the wider congregation but not directly to the General Curia. Others note that restricted assets affect how much income is actually available for use. "On paper" it may look like a province has significant income but in reality, much of that income might not be available for use.
Fr. Aquilino reiterated his concern that the General Curia needs to be able to anticipate a certain amount of revenue each year so that it can form a budget. Much of that money needs to come from the 1%. He said that beyond that, he hopes that provinces which are able can give more to help meet the needs of other entities.
Finally, there was a concern that when it comes to material needs that SCJs need to respect the culture in which they are located. It can be very easy to bring the cultural values of one's home country to a new location. Relatively easy access to capital from another part of the congregation can draw SCJs away from the context in which they work.
Noting that the discussion of finances will continue when the chapter addresses the Instrumentum Laboris,the chapter voted to approve the General Treasurer's Report.
The process of selecting a General Treasurer
At the last General Chapter, it took three days to determine who would serve as general treasurer. The job is a very specific one which requires specialized training and knowledge in finances and accounting. Finding the most adequately qualified man can be a difficult process. It has been suggested that the chapter is not the best place for such a position to be filled. In many other religious communities the treasurer is appointed by the general superior since he is fulfilling the mandates of the superior. It was proposed that the SCJ constitutions be changed to allow for the treasurer to be selected in this way.
Fr. Marek Stoklosa, juridical advisor, introduced the delegates to the proposed changes in the General Directory and the Constitutions. The changes would call for the appointment of the general treasurer by the general superior within a year of his election. The Holy See has granted the necessary dispensation for the change if the chapter pursues it.
The chapter will revisit the topic later in its gathering. This was simply a time to present and explain the proposal.
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NOTE: The majority of photos taken at the General Chapter will be posted at the congregational website,
http://www.dehon.it.
I'll be posting some of the photos I take at http://www.scjusa.smugmug.com To see them, click on the first gallery, or go directly to:
http://scjusa.smugmug.com/gallery/8259359_fwcwx#540413616_85pae
Mary Gorski
