Juridical texts
Fr. Marek Stoklosa continued to lead the chapter through revisions of the General Directory and Constitutions. On Friday delegates were able to approve a large number of changes to both documents.
They started with General Directory No. 125 noting that a provincial conference and/or assembly is to be convoked regularly by the provincial superior. The provincial superior may also "set up commissions, secretariats or other similar organizations" to examine particular concerns of the province.
The chapter then moved to the Constitutions, where it added two sections concerning regions. "It is the task of the superior general, with the consent of his council, to establish new regions, to unite several regions, to modify and suppress them." The region is governed by a regional superior, named by the superior general, with authority generally equivalent to that of a provincial superior. In the General Directory the chapter also approved two new passages that spelled out in greater detail issues related to regions and regional superiors.
Similar work was done in regards to districts. In the Constitutions, No. 126 now refers to "districts" instead of "regions," and No. 127 refers to "district superiors" instead of regional. In the General Directory, new text was added to Nos. 126 and 127 to better define what a district is, how its superior is chosen and what his duties are.
Taking into account the different types of entities in the congregation, Constitution No. 73 was revised to note that the "organization of local area communities can be decided upon by the major superior, with the consent of his council," as opposed to just a "provincial" superior. The General Directory was then adapted (No. 73) to better spell out the specifics of a territorial community which can be "dependent upon a provincial, regional or district superior, or directly upon the superior general. It is established, or canonically erected, by the major superior upon which it is dependent."
The establishment of local communities was addressed in Constitution No. 115 and then more thoroughly defined in General Directory No. 115. A significant change in this section concerned the sale of a formation (or former formation) house. Previously, the Directory stated that a tenth of such a sale should be given to the General Aid Fund. For a variety of reasons, including other means of solidarity now in place in the congregation, this section was removed.
Directory No. 116 addressed concerns related to local superiors. In particular, an entity's directory is to indicate the conditions upon which a third term will be allowed and generally, an SCJ should not serve more than 12 consecutive years as a local superior. Number 117 concerned the possibility of an entire local community serving as house council (those in final vows) with the designation of one to take the superior's place in his absence.
"In the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus the following are major superiors: the superior and his vicar; provincial and regional superiors," began the next text approved for Directory No. 107. Also approved was No. 110 which addressed what is done when a superior is absent or temporarily impeded from his office.
Directory No. 111 noted that a particular directory (provincial, regional or district) "can grant active voice to those bound by temporary vows for matters concerning the province, region or district." Number 112 specified that the minutes of an entity are to be sent regularly to the General Council and that local minutes are to go to the major superior of the entity.
Districts are to now have their own directories, according to Directory No. 113, and major superiors (or their delegates) are expected to frequently visit and communicate with the houses of their provinces, regions and districts, and do a canonical visitation at least once during a triennium.
In Directory No. 105, the chapter dealt with the prolonged absence of an SCJ from his religious house. A portion of this section will be revisited later in the chapter.
Finally, the chapter voted to approve a change to Constitution No. 45 (d) that ownership of goods can be renounced 10 years after first profession "with the permission of the superior general granted with the consent of his council."
After a break, delegates returned to vote "en bloc" on a number of items in the Constitutions that required a slight revision in terminology. In particular "provinces" was generally substituted by "province, region and districts." Other minor changes were approved individually for Constitution Nos. 100, 101 and 122.
Synthesis statement
The Synthesis Committee prepared a document that brings together the many topics brought forth or reviewed by the chapter during the past three weeks. Titled, "Drawn Together and Moved by the Heart of Christ," the piece was divided into three areas: 1) The Heart of Christ - Center of Our Life (Spirituality - "Ecce Venio"), 2) The Heart of Christ Unites Us in Fraternity (Community - "Sint Unum"), and 3) The Heart of Christ Impels Us to Proclaim the Gospel (Mission -- "Adveniat Regnum Tuum"). Under each area were the individual topics dealt with by the chapter so far.
Linguistic groups discussed the document. In plenary both group discussions and individual reflections were shared.
Much appreciation was expressed for the work of the Synthesis Committee. Comments ranged from those who simply offered points of refinement to others who had uncertainty about the document and its direction. Several suggested that there be two sections to the piece -- one that is more theological and reflective and another that offers concrete statements of action.
Fr. General reminded delegates that the task of the Synthesis Committee was to note and respect what was said during the chapter. Now, these discussions need to be reviewed and prioritized. Much of next week will be reserved for that. This is only a step in the process.
The chapter adjourned for the weekend.
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