SOLIDARIDAD SOLIDARIETÀOctober-December 2010 - BIP n. 24 3 T hese two attitudes, generosity and...

N° 24 - New Series, October-December 2010

Supplement to L’Eco of Saint Gabriel, December 2010 Sped. in a.p. -45% art.2 comma 20/c legge 662/96

SINODO GENERALE GENERAL SYNOD SÍNODO GENERAL

XIV

SOLIDARIDADPARA UNA NUEVA VIDA Y MISIÓN

SOLIDARIETÀPER UNA NUOVA VITA E MISSIONE

ROME 2010

INDICE

“ON THE ROAD TO RESTRUCTURINGWITH GENEROSITY AND HOPE”Fr. José Luis Quintero Sanchez, C.P (CORI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . pag. 3

REPORT OF THE SUPERIOR GENERALTO THE XIV GENERAL SINODPART I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 4

PART II - STARTING AFRESH AFTER CUERNAVACA . . » 6

PART III - INFORMATION ABOUT VARIOUS MATTERS » 10

THE CHRONICLES OF THE XIV GENERAL SINODCOMISSIONE PER LA REDAZIONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 13

MATTERS PROPOSED FOR DIRECT VOTINGIN THE SYNOD AULA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 25

HOMILY FOR THE CLOSINGOF THE XIV GENERAL SINOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 27

PROFESSIONS AND ORDINATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 29

NEW PUBLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 30

NOTITIAE OBITUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . » 31

Passionist International Bulletin N. 24 - New Series - October-December 2010Supplement to L’Eco of Saint Gabriel, December 2010

EditorGeneral Curiaof the Congregation of the Passion

General Consultor for Communications Denis Travers, C.P.

Editing and Translation of TextsLawrence Rywalt, C.P.Luis Enrique Bernal, C.P.Marco Pasquali, C.P.Ramiro Ruiz, C.P.Joseph Barbieri, C.P.Massimo Parisi, C.P.Tarcisio Tagliabue, C.P.Alejandro Ferrari, C.P.Fernando Pielagos, C.P.

PhotographsPaul Francis Spencer, C.P.Lawrence Rywalt, C.P.Miguel Ángel Villanueva, C.P.

AddressUfficio ComunicazioniCuria GeneraliziaP.zza Ss. Giovanni e Paolo 1300184 Roma - ItalyTel. 06.77.27.11Fax. 06.700.84.54Web Page: http://www.passiochristi.orge-mail: [email protected]

GraphicsFlorideo D’Ignazio - Editoriale Eco srl

Cover LogoLoretta Lynch

Cover photoOfficial Logo of the XIV General Synodof the Congregation of the Passion

Final page photoParticipants in the XIV General Synod

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3October-December 2010 - BIP n. 24

These two attitudes, generosity and hope, cha-racterized the members of the Synod of 2010.This was the second Synod following the 44th

General Chapter that placed the Congregation, follo-wing the call of the Spirit, on the road ofRestructuring to give new energy to Passionist Lifeand Mission.

Discernment and decision-making characterized the2008 Synod that was celebrated in Cuernavaca,Mexico. And this 2010 Synod was intended to be averification of the process that was chosen and under-taken at that time. It was a time for common evaluationof the projects that were planned and initially put intopractice, with a generous spirit of discernment,notwithstanding uncertainties and fear of the unknown.

In a spirit of openness, the Synod Assemblyreceived the numerous reports that were presentedeach day by the Configurations that included theirplanned activities in the three areas of proposed soli-darity – formation, personnel and finances. Theyalso heard about the new forms of Passionist pres-ence in China, Vietnam and Nigeria and the work thatwas done at the UN. The report of Fr. Ottaviano,divided into three parts, offered enlightenment andalso questions for further common reflection anddecision-making. All of these reports, including thatof the General Council, originated from their per-spective of the process of Restructuring and theirrespective roles in this process. The courage neededto open roads and overcome the difficulties that arosein communicating new ways of living and beingtogether was concretized in proposals. These propos-als were prepared based on a new capacity for mak-ing decisions and putting them into practice in theentities of the new Configurations and in a new wayof exercising the ministry of authority.

In an ecclesial spirit, the Synod shared the pain ofthe Church over the issue of the sexual abuse ofminors, assuming an attitude of mercy for the vic-tims, condemnation of evil, help for the perpetratorand responsibility for the formation of candidates forPassionist religious life.

The Synod also began to program the participationof our young religious and the members of thePassionist Family for the World Youth Day 2011 inMadrid, Spain. It also reaffirmed communicationprojects, using new forms of technology to facilitategreater interaction within the Congregation and formore vibrantly presenting the message of the Cross intoday’s world.

In this process of revitalization the members of the

Synod pointedout how impor-tant it is that allthe religious andthe members ofthe PassionistFamily recog-nize and feelthat they areactive partici-pants. Withgreat confidenceand conviction itwas stated thatthis processstems from theessence of theP a s s i o n i s tCharism and forits Life and Mission in today’s world.

On the first day of the meeting, prior to officiallybeginning the Synod, the members participated in a for-mation workshop that studied the topic of JPIC and thePassionist charism. Again, the session was designed toheighten awareness of this topic that influences manyreligious congregations and other movements to makean evangelical commitment to justice, peace and theintegrity of creation. Since this dimension is closelyconnected with the heart of the “Memoria Passionis” itis a way of living out our charism.

Fr. Aquilino Bocos Merino, CMF, also reflectedon the process of Restructuring by noting priorities,offering criteria for discernment, dissipating doubtsand fears, and situating all of this process within thecontext of Mission.

The days were marked by periods of tranquility andwork, and also weariness and repetitions. There weretimes of moving forward and other times of hesitancyand questioning, of desolation and consolation. In allof this we trusted that the Spirit was continuing tounfold salvation history and recreating the world andalso the Church, wherein is the Charism of the“Memoria Passionis” entrusted to St. Paul of the Cross.

The Synod assembly invites the entireCongregation to continue to develop and embracethis process of Restructuring in a spirit of solidaritythat will lead up to the General Chapter of 2012. Atthat time we will make decisions about structures thatwill enable Passionist life and Mission to grow in cre-ative fidelity and be at the service of the Reign ofGod in our world.

“ON THE ROAD TO RESTRUCTURINGWITH GENEROSITY AND HOPE”

FFrr.. JJoosséé LLuuiiss QQuuiinntteerroo SSaanncchheezz, C.P. (CORI), Secretary of the Synod

Fr. José Luis Quintero Sánchez (SANG),Secretary for the Synod.

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October-December 2010 - BIP n. 244

PART I

1. Dear brothers in Christ Crucified and Risen,Fraternal greetings and best wishes to all of you

here and, in particular, to each of you who, with var-ious titles and responsibilities, are participating inthis Synod. I especially wish to greet and welcomethose of you who have recently been elected as MajorSuperiors and who are at a Synod assembly for thefirst time. You will enrich us with your creativity andenthusiasm.

2. The theme of the Synod, “Solidarity for a newlife and mission”, is intended to unite us ideological-ly and substantially with the last Synod of 2008 thatwas celebrated in Cuernavaca, Mexico… The graph-ic design of the Logo of this Synod consists of aPassionist Sign surrounding the world, lands andseas, along with the inscription: “Solidarity for a new

REPORT OF THESUPERIOR GENERAL

TO THE XIVGENERAL SYNOD

Editor’s Note: The Report of the SuperiorGeneral to the XIV General Synod is dividedinto three parts. Following are excerpts fromeach of the three sections. The complete textcan be found online at www.passiochristi.organd in the “Documentation” of the Synod to bepublished at a later date.

life and mission”. The words follow the path of thecurve of the continents between South America andAustralia, encircling lower Africa. It is meant to sig-nify our unity as an integrated family immersed in thecharism. The Passionist Sign which envelopes it ismeant to enhance solidarity, enlivening our commu-nity life and mission. In addition to being an idealand a hope, as is symbolized by the color green of thecontents of the Logo, solidarity is a goal to which weaspire and is indicated by the red-colored fire thatforms the background of the Sign, which is immersedin the light of the resurrection and a new dawn.

4. This is the objective that we hope to achieveduring these days of the Synod. We are not alone aswe look for answers; we are aware of the presence ofthe Lord in our midst. It is He who has convoked uswith the voice of the Church and He is with us in theboat of this synod hall. And even if his place hereseems to be vacant, we need to have faith: He is withus and we should not fear the headwinds of the diffi-cult moments that we may encounter during theSynod, or the rough seas of doubt and fear. We musttrust that we will arrive at the other shore because Heis awake: He calms the winds and the waves becomenavigable once again.

7. Using appropriate discernment we want to seekthe future course of our life and identify the currentchallenges that arise from the process ofRestructuring that we have been developing duringthe past six years. These are possibilities for renova-tion that are well-rooted in our past and in thecharism that the Holy Spirit gave to St. Paul of theCross and which is our inheritance. It is our task andit is a call from God to discern how we can giveFr. Ottaviano D’Egidio delivers his Report to the Synod.

The official logo of the XIV General Synod.


renewed life to Passionist values so that we can makethe witness of fraternal life in our communities moreauthentic and give new energy to our mission thatoriginates from the spring of the suffering of theCrucified One. We cannot neglect this task becausethe Passion of Christ did not end with his death on thecross; rather his Passion is alive and tangible and itcontinues in a mysterious yet real way, in the suffer-ing of men and women and in the wounds of creation.Being alive and present is being faithful to our voca-tion; however, if we want to fully live consecratedlife that speaks prophetically about salvation and lib-eration, it is necessary to refocus our lives on Calvaryand reassume the cross, the origin of our vocationand the symbol of our identity. Fidelity to the God ofthe Cross identifies us as Passionists and as thosewho are sent into the world to announce the GoodNews to the crucified”…Fidelity to the God of theCross means living our vocation and following theFounder.

9. In Paul, the compelling certainty that thePassion of Jesus “is the greatest and most overwhelm-ing work of God’s love” becomes clear. And he callsit “the miracle of miracles of the love of God”, “thesea of love and pain” – love and pain that Paul fre-

quently experienced. Then, considering the time inwhich he lived, its problems and its difficulties, hehad the great insight that “evil is the fruit of and stemsfrom having forgotten the Passion of Jesus.”

10. To remember – in the sense of “keeping alivethe memory” of the Passion of Jesus – is the mostefficacious remedy for the evils that afflict, exhaustand divide humanity, because authentically “keepingalive the memory” means living by it and wantingone’s own life, choices and interpersonal and socialrelationships to be inspired by its logic of love. Inthis sense, “keeping alive the memory” is not only anauthentic spiritual revolution, but also a cultural rev-olution. It posseses a capacity to produce relevantcultural changes by engendering relationships amongpeople that are characterized by self-giving and loveand not, as so frequently occurs today, by selfishness,dominance, violence, wars and the exploitation ofentire populations to the point of allowing them to dieof starvation.

11. It is within “keeping alive the memory” thatwe wish to situate and live solidarity as a goal to beattained by taking additional steps during this Synodin order to choose the most efficacious means to con-front “the evils of the world” of today and in order toovercome “the difficulties of the Congregation”. Wewant to respond to the evils of today’s world in all itscomplexity and with all its challenges with the mosteffective instruments and also by challenging our-selves with the reality of the Congregation. Over thelast six years of this process we have enumerated andstudied the problems of the globalized world and ofthe Congregation, and the last Synod of 2008 inMexico singled out solidarity as an instrument and aprocess for responding to the challenges that we haveto address today and in the years ahead.

12. Solidarity is not an ideology, but a way ofbeing faithful to the Gospel of the Cross: “The Sonof man did not come to be served, but to serve and togive his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt.20:27) Thedeath of Jesus on the cross is the maximum expres-sion of solidarity by “service” that becomes a “gift”of life “for others”. It is the paschal mystery and thesolidarity of God with humanity, similar to the soli-darity that exists in the relationship among the per-sons of the Trinity and which emanates from it, andbecomes a model of life and an objective to be pur-sued in our life choices and mission.

16. We want to work contrary to the mentality ofthe world. We want to serve and to be a gift to beshared, as Jesus has done for us, for our life and ourmission. It is the task of this Synod to continue dis-cerning additional steps to be taken in the project

The icon “Salus Populi Romani”.

➥


already underway in order to bring about solidarity inthe three areas of formation, personnel and financeswhich we believe is essential for the revitalization ofthe Congregation. It is a task that we cannot shyaway from even if we need to modify or add some-thing to our Constitutions or to the GeneralRegulations. In order to achieve the objectives thatwe are proposing we must assume an attitude of spir-itual and cultural responsibility which, in turn willrequire that we make some changes.

17. Our Founder himself, Paul of the Cross,throughout the long travail leading to the approbationof the Rule, from the beginning until its finalapproval in 1775, the very year of his death, was con-vinced of the indefatigable energy of the Spirit andthe dynamic presence of God in the history of theworld and in the Church, and therefore, in theCongregation. The power of the Spirit is not exhaust-ed and we cannot stop life as if we have arrived atsomething unassailable; whereas everyday experi-ences and what occurs in culture, in research and inus is continually new and different.

18. A Congregation that is not capable of chang-ing itself sooner or later loses the capacity to changethe world and falls into contradiction. We should notbe afraid of change. I recall the exhortation of theItalian episcopacy for the first decade of 2000:“Communicating the Gospel in world of change,”which invites us to take a realistic look at the contextin which we are called to offer our witness. In fact,it deals with catching a glimpse of “God’s today” andits demands on us. We are challenged to address thenew millennium with new trust in the presence of theRisen Christ and in the courage that was given to usby the decisive action of the Holy Spirit.

20. Let us place our work under the protection ofMary, Salus Popoli Romani (the Health of the RomanPeople), who is venerated in the Borghese chapel ofthe Basilica of St. Mary Major. It was before thisicon that St. Paul of the Cross professed the vow thatcharacterized his life and our Congregation: “to pro-mote in the hearts of the faithful devotion to thePassion of Jesus and work toward gathering compan-ions to do the same.

Dear brothers, I am continuing my reflectionsfollowing the first part of the report that Igave last Friday which sought to open up and

encourage a spiritual context connected with the ope-ning liturgy of the Synod… We must begin afreshafter Cuernavaca and following the decisions that the2008 Synod made and the direction that it provided.However, in order to understand as well as possiblewhat happened and its meaning we need to review,even if only briefly, the period “before” Cuernavaca.

1. There were twelve provincial Chapters thatwere celebrated during the two years between theSynods of 2008-2010. There were a significant num-ber of changes in provincial government and there-fore it is good to review the steps that were taken infurthering the process of Restructuring because evenif it is true that the Congregation is trying to involveall of the religious in the process, it is also true thatwhen someone is called to the ministry of authoritythe religious understand and perceive him differentlyand he assumes a greater responsibility for the phas-es of discernment and the consequences of the deci-sions that were made.

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3. The Congregation, Provincial Councils andcommunities entered into dialog and discernmentusing the three key words: Charism, Presence andMission, which were interpreted in prophetic and cre-ative ways. The objectives to be achieved were: a)positively involve every religious in the process ofspiritual and institutional renewal; b) create a plannedprocess that would help the Congregation to journeytogether; and c) reformulate today our Passionistvision for the world of tomorrow.

4. The General Chapter of 2006, by means of theCentral Declaration, the very heart and key to theChapter itself, encouraged us to earnestly continuethe process of Restructuring that was already inprocess. It acknowledged the process and discernedthat it was a call from God to a new way of “reflect-ing”, of “interacting” among us and of accepting thepossibility of “re-creating” the structures that are atthe service of the charism. Additionally the Chapter,in order to make the process more efficacious and toallow it to proceed, chose seven Coordinators, onefor each of the regional Conferences of theCongregation.

STARTING AFRESH AFTER CUERNAVACA

REPORT OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL TO THE XIV GENERAL SYNOD - PART II


➥

5. One of the specific fruits of collaboration anddialog between the General Council and theCoordinators was the preparation of a questionnairefor gathering information, called the “Schema-guide”(Templates) for planning Restructuring. The purposeof this instrument was to study the various realities ofthe Congregation today regarding its strong pointsand its weak points, the composition of the communi-ties, the number of religious, their age and apostolate,and their presence in a territory. It also collectedinformation about formation and the apostolate, thefinancial situation and the prospects for the future.

6. After reading and analyzing the responses to theSchema-guide, with the expert assistance of Sr.Christine Anderson who moderated the Synod, wewere able to understand what we needed and where theCongregation wanted to go in order to: 1) movebeyond its needs and limitations; and 2) to increase andshare the positive elements that are present. Therefore,we proceeded from the analysis of the responses, tooperative theories and decisions to be made. The orien-tations and the decisions were also the result of the cri-teria that were developed during a meeting between theGeneral Council and the Coordinators, and which theSynod in Cuernavaca, through dialog and discernment,owned and developed.

8. The main topic and the heart of the Synod [of2008] is that of verifying and studying more in depththe mandate of the last General Chapter that commit-ted “the Congregation to further the process ofRestructuring that was begun at the General Synod of2004 and will continue at least until the next GeneralChapter.”

10. Through the analysis of the responses to theSchema-Template the Synod was directed to the keyword “solidarity” that needs to be operative in thethree areas of priority for a new vitality in theCongregation: Solidarity in Formation, Solidarity inPersonnel and Solidarity in Finances. We can nolonger consider these areas of solidarity merely as vol-untary generous options in times of difficulty or natu-ral catastrophe, occasions on which the Congregationhas always been generous, or as occasional choices ofa Chapter or a Provincial Council. Rather, the Synoddecided to make this solidarity structural so that itbecomes a reality that is shared on a daily basis.

11. There was a new awareness that every part ofthe Congregation is responsible for the other.Therefore, through research that was first done ingroup discussion and successively in assembly, thesix new territorial Configurations were formed andadopted. They are composed of Provinces, Vice-Provinces, Vicariates, and Missions, and they wereformed in the light of the criteria and the possibilityof being able to be in solidarity in the three areas ofFormation, Personnel and Finances.

12. These Configurations were approved for fur-ther study and given the task of evaluating and exper-

(L-R) Sr. Christine Andersen, Fr. Ottaviano D’Egidio and Fr.José Luis Quintero.

Members of the PASPAC (Asia-Pacific) Configuration.

Members of the CPA (Africa) Configuration.


imenting, during the two years leading up to the pres-ent Synod, with the “viability” of membership in theConfiguration as a structural hypothesis for thefuture. Each of the Coordinators was assigned thetask of continuing the work of leading his ownConfiguration, in collaboration with the GeneralCouncil and in union with the other Configurations.

13. It was a challenge and it remains so for us todayto accomplish what was asked of us because it involvesproceeding with a change of mind-set, of points of ref-erence and of perspectives when addressing prob-lems…“My” needs to be changed into “our”.Autonomy should be changed into relationship and pro-found and efficacious collaboration to the extent that itbecomes structural. The sense of being “a Province,Vice-Province and Vicariate” should change into “asense of being a Configuration and a Congregation”.

14. Arriving at this conviction of sharing gifts andmaking talents flourish for the good of all is aninvestment and not a loss. During the two years sincethe Synod of 2008 until the present Synod we havehad the task of planning and experimenting with pos-sible ways of accomplishing Solidarity in the threeareas of Formation, Personnel and Finances both ona Congregational level as a whole as well as on thelevel of the Configurations.

17. The evaluation of the process, the difficultiesencountered and the accomplishments achieved, willbe done during the current Synod where, throughappropriate dialog and discernment, we will see if weneed to make modifications or corrective changes tothe process. However the itinerary of the process of“feasibility” of the new Configurations will not endwith the present Synod, even though it will be animportant phase for the Congregation. In fact duringthe Synod we will confirm or modify the process,addressing any eventual problems that may arise dur-ing experimentation and we will evaluate opportuni-ties for study and confirm a model for a decision-making Body for the three areas of solidarity in theConfigurations and for the General government,while continuing to recognize the Synod as a transi-tion phase.

18. The two concluding years of the process,2010-2012, will bring us to the General Chapterwhere we foresee that the Configurations will conclu-sively be defined as entities in themselves and alsothe model of government, both on a general level andfor the Configurations, will be approved. The nexttwo years will also be a useful period for verifyingthe juridical implications of the decisions that weremade and the compatibility of the choices that wewant to make in accord with the prescriptions ofCanon Law.

21. However, in order to arrive at being able todiscern at this point in time, it is necessary to presentand evaluate the results of the two years of work ofthe six Configurations in reference to the concrete

accomplishments and orientations that were used forthe creation of new structures for the three areas ofSolidarity proposed for the entire Congregation andfor the individual Configurations. It will also beimportant to dialog about the doubts and fears thatare present in the Configurations or in the individualProvinces and in the religious so that the doubts canbe resolved and, as far as possible, we can decide oncommon structural choices.

37. I will not report on the numerous activities thattook place in the various Configurations in the threeareas of Solidarity because they will be communicat-ed in the Reports of the Coordinators; but it is encour-aging see the projects that were realized, even thosethat did not involve the large entities, especially in thearea of Formation. The most important thing is tonote the change of mentality that is slowly takingplace because we are becoming more convinced thatwe need to make changes in our current situations.

39. In the meeting with the Coordinators… itbecame clear that there is a strong need for theConfigurations to be able to function with greateragility and awareness. This should especially clarifytwo aspects: 1) The “viability”, i.e. the validity oftheir composition and their being together in order tobring about greater vitality among them and with theCongregation through solidarity in the three areas offormation, personnel and finances. 2) “Legislativeand executive capacity” for the Councils of theConfigurations. It is an open issue that creates greatuncertainty in the process of restructuring. One ofthe tasks of this Synod should be to make a decisionin this area, even if only on an experimental basis forthe next two years and which would be examined atthe next General Chapter.

After long and often difficult dialog, the GeneralCouncil, having heard the opinions of theCoordinators, has proposed the following text for theevaluation and approval of the Synod: “For the next

Members of the CEB Configuration.


two years, from the Synod of 2010 to the GeneralChapter of 2012”.

Every time that the Major Superiors of aConfiguration make a decision – by means of consen-sus or with a majority vote – in order to make a deci-sion or to establish a structure that concernsSolidarity in Personnel, Formation and Finances, forthe Configuration, all of the Major Superiors willabide by that decision. All the Superiors and the enti-ties within the Configuration are obliged to collabo-rate in enacting the decision. The Major Superior ofthe Configuration – elected from among major supe-riors of the Configuration – will be responsible forputting the decision into practice. a) Those decisionsthat concern the entire Configuration and/or the otherConfigurations shall be communicated to theSuperior General and to his Council; b) If during thenext two years, an entity elects a new Major Superior,the latter must respect the previous decisions weremade for the Configuration and abide by the normsstated above; c) If this is approved by the Synod,then, immediately following the same Synod, theSuperior General, with the approval of his Council,will make a temporary norm for the Congregation; d)This norm will remain in effect until the GeneralChapter of 2012, at which time it may be confirmed,modified or replaced.”

40. Dear brothers, the project of Restructuringshould move forward and become concrete; other-wise the same problems remain unresolved for com-munity life and mission, both for the parts of theCongregation that are growing and for those that arediminishing. Institutionalized Solidarity consists ofgiving the Configurations the capacity and the powerto make decisions, and we should not be afraidbecause the choices will be made by theConfiguration itself. Others will not make decisionsfor the Configuration; rather the Major Superiors ofthe Configuration will make the decisions. Thisshould reassure the doubtful. We need to give all theConfigurations the possibility of having juridicalpower, as is currently the case in the Provinces thathave the juridical capacity to enact what is decided inthe Chapters, in the Assemblies and in the ProvincialCouncil, according to our legislation. Restructuringis within the Constitutions and not something extra-neous. Some mechanisms will be modified thatmake Solidarity more stable and efficacious, buteverything will continue to be regulated and enactedaccording to the spirit of the Constitutions andaccording to what is prescribed therein.

47. The historical situations of the Church and theCongregation have changed over the years. From aphase of general growth, we have arrived at the re-dimensioning of the western world and a phase ofuncharted consolidation and inculturation in otherareas. It is precisely for this reason that solidarity, madestable and effective by means of institutional forms of

the Configuration, can help and coordinate reciprocalsupport whether in Formation or the other areas of spir-itual and material need, and sustain the various realitiesof the Configuration and the Congregation.

56. We have the resources and the energy that isneeded and I encourage you to use them to accom-plish what God asks of us though the signs of thetimes and in this moment in history. I am convincedthat in the same charism of the Founder can be foundthe roots for renewal in today’s intercultural context.With his arms extended on the Cross, Jesus tran-scends barriers and cultural prejudices and makesunderstanding possible by opening new spaces forinteraction among us for new Passionist life.

With great confidence, let us entrust ourselves toMary so that she may obtain for us from her Son thepower to fulfill the mission at hand during these daysof the Synod, with the same courage and mind-setthat she had:

“At the Cross of Jesus was his mother/ strength-ened in faith/ renewed in hope/ on fire with ardentzeal in charity.”

“With his arms extended on the Cross, Jesus transcendsbarriers and cultural prejudices and makes understandingpossible by opening new spaces for interaction among usfor new Passionist life.”

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1. Fr. Carmelo Naselli, 2. Fr. Enrico Zoffoli,3. Fr. Paolino Alonso, 4. Fr. Fabiano Giorgini.

2. THE LAITY. The Lay Passionist movements,with various titles throughout the world, are beco-ming more and more aware of their being called

to our charism and to our mission. They exist, they areinvolved in formation and are collaborating amongthemselves and the number of those who are consecra-ted to the Passion as laity is increasing. We know thatSt. Paul of the Cross wrote numerous letters to lay menand women, trusting in their capacity to live the spiri-tuality of the Passion. However, neither in ourConstitutions nor in our General Regulations is there isany reference to the laity being called to our charism.I believe that the time has arrived for their inclusion inthe Constitutions and in the General Regulations asindividuals who are associated with the Congregation.

3. HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION.VOLUME III. The third volume of the History ofthe Congregation, covering the third period (1839-1862, Vol. III) of the research and publication project,was completed by Fr. Fernando Piélagos (FAM).

A brief summary. The decision to begin the proj-ect of writing the history of the Congregation wasmade at the XXXIII General Chapter of 1-21 May,1952. Fr. Malcolm La Velle named an historicalcommission composed of Frs. Fabiano Giorgini,Enrico Zoffoli and Paolino Alonso B.

Fr. Fabiano Giorgini completed the first volume,“History of the Congregation in the life of theFounder, 1720-1775”; Fr. Amedeo Naselli was ableto prepare “The Succession, 1775-1796” (Vol. II/1),but he was not able to complete the second part,Restoration and Expansion, 1796-1839, which wascompleted by Fr. Fabiano (Volume II/2).

Fr. Paolino began work on the period 1839-1862(Vol. III), but due to his death it was not completed.Finally, Fr. Fernando Piélagos, of the same Province(FAM) as Fr. Paolino, recently completed this workand now the Spanish and Italian versions are ready tobe printed. Volume IV (1862-1925) and Volume V(1925- to the present time) remain to be written inorder to complete this project. We thank all of thosewho have given their time, their professional skills andtheir life to do research for publication. They leave usthe treasure of our History that is a “teacher of life”.

4. COMMUNICATIONS: Frequently whendealing with our internal documents (circular letters,Chapter recommendations, etc.) we sense a greatneed to increase our communications and make themmore effective among our religious and also thosewho wish to share our spirituality and mission.Earlier this year I wrote to the Congregation aboutthis topic with the circular letter entitled: “Someinformation about communications.” We are allaware that at the very center of effective and truecommunication is the personal dimension, that per-sonal relationship that is not based on personal com-patibility and common interests, but on sharing ourvery vocation and spirituality. The means of commu-nication that modern technology places at our dispos-

al can help us to do precisely this: not substitute, butexpand personal relationships by trying to overcomelinguistic, geographical and temporal barriers. Thisis the scope of what the Congregation is doing in thisarea, i.e. look for opportunities that are offered to usthrough the “Global Village” in order to put them atthe service of our charism. In this way we will be amore united family in order to live the same ideals asSt. Paul of the Cross. The first step that we took inbeginning a new project using current technologywas the naming of Fr. Clemente Barron as theGeneral Consultor responsible for communicationsso that there would be a permanent office in this sec-tor... The commission concluded its work by identify-ing some strategies for improving communicationswithin the Passionist Family and with the world atlarge. In particular, they demonstrated the potentialof communication in “Real Time” (video-conferenc-ing, chat, etc.) and the different options for improv-ing accessibility, availability and the sharing of doc-uments of the Congregation, and most importantly, itlaid the foundation for establishing a system for con-necting Passionists throughout the world via internet.An executive commission was then added to thisoriginal commission. It is a commission for digitalcommunications (composed of Frs. Clemente

REPORT OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL TO THE XIV GENERAL SYNOD - PART III


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Barron, Marco Pasquali and Ramiro Ruíz) and itstask is to find specific, operative solutions for accom-plishing what was stated above. In particular, theyanalyzed and presented different systems and pro-grams for use in video-conferences; however theproject that they worked on most intensely was thatof setting up a new Web site for the Congregation.This commission, chaired by Fr. Massimo Granieri(LAT), is working specifically on this project. Itsgoal is not merely to provide a simple portal throughwhich one can access the information of theCongregation, but a true and proper system of com-munication for a rapid and efficient sharing of ideas,resources and documents.

5. FINANCES: PROJECTS, COMMISSION.I will not address any specific topics in the area offinances since Fr. Battista Ramponi, the GeneralEconome, has prepared a precise and detaileddescription of this situation in his report, and I thankhim for the clear exposition and for the service thathe has offered for several years with great dedicationand professional expertise for the entireCongregation in the area of finances. However, Iwould like to highlight several points.

Work Projects. The restoration of several parts ofthe Retreat of Sts. John and Paul has allowed us to re-claim space that was otherwise unusable. I want topoint out the restoration of the areas that are locatedunder the refectory that will house the Library of thePassion which will further enrich the collection ofbooks on this topic that already exist in our Libraryand also the volumes of the Stauros Library ofWeezeembeek-Oppen (GABR).

Solidarity Fund and Commission. Although thefinance commission will report on its work and pro-posals, I would simply like to remind you about theneed to increase the Solidarity Fund and theFormation Fund.

Norms that guarantee the security of the fundson an administrative level. This is a serious problemthat we need to address. Some provinces havealready studied and enacted norms that insure thesecurity of financial funds; however the large major-

ity of the entities, Provinces, Vice-Provinces andVicariates and the communities themselves, do nothave precise norms that limit the power of theeconomes with regard to the use of their funds.

Solidarity in Finances. Our last Synod inCuernavaca, Mexico, approved the following (No. 2,c.iii): “Apart from voluntary contributions, allProvinces will normally contribute a percentage (atleast 7%) from the sale of any property, to theSolidarity Fund.” The time has come to apply thisnorm as a tangible sign of our willingness to share:“sell what you have and give to the poor.” (Mk.19:21)

6. (JPIC) JUSTICE AND PEACE AND THEINTEGRITY OF CREATION. I don’t want to addanything else to what was very proficiently presentedlast 21 October during the day dedicated to the for-mation of Major Superiors, according to theRecommendation of the General Chapter, whichchose Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation asits theme for this year. I merely wish to highlight itsimportance as a part of our charism and its placetherein. St. Paul of the Cross was a great contempla-tive and missionary; however in his life we find thatthere is also a clear option for the poor, the suffering,the abandoned populations, including priests, andgreat sinners such as criminals. Therefore, givingimportance to this area, as does the Church especial-ly in this period in which a third of the population ofthe world dies of hunger and is oppressed by injusticeand violence, is not something that compromises thecharism because the love of God is authentic when itis expressed in prayer and in caring for those who aremost in need, as we are also reminded in No. 65 ofthe Constitutions… The heart of the Passionistcharism beats with two continuous pulses: a) con-templating the Passion of Jesus and living in fraternaland poor communities, located in solitude; and b)announcing the contemplated word of the Cross, giv-ing preference to abandoned places and recognizingJesus in the suffering and in the poor.

7. THE U.N. AND CASES OF RADICAL WIT-NESS. Closely connected and in harmony with theobjective of the Passionist mission is our presence atthe U.N. with Passionists International and our NGOthat is recognized by the United Nations. It desires tobe a voice for the voiceless. We are aware that today,in our globalized world, we cannot work alone toaddress the problems that concern the world. Ourlast General Synod of 2008 singled out the values ofSolidarity and sharing as the heart of Restructuring.However, this is not something that is merely theoret-ical. It is a reality that we experience in our missionswhere the radical nature of the Gospel is severelytested, even to the point of people putting their life atrisk. I refer to the case of Fr. Mario Bartolini (PIET),a missionary in the Amazon region of Peru who, inorder to defend the property of the agricultural landsof his parish of Barranquita from voracious, multina-tional corporations, was threatened with death andis now awaiting trial at the end of October. So, too,with Fr. Antonio Rodríguez (FAM), in El Salvadorwho works with young people to help them to be

(L-R) Frs. Massimo Granieri (LAT) and Marco Pasquali (PIET).


reincorporated into society, was accused of being amember of youth gangs (maras). I also rememberour missions among the indigenous peoples ofIngeniero Juarez, Formosa in Argentina and our pres-ence in Haiti of Fr. Richard Frechette (PAUL), apriest and doctor who works with those children whoare infected with HIV/AIDS. There are also manyother radical situations in the Congregation such as inChina, Viet Nam, Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola andnumerous others that challenge us to respond in theterritory and in the missions. But we also want to bepresent at the UN where we can work to eliminate thecauses that engender poverty and injustice.

8. SEXUAL ABUSE. Sexual abuse is a seriousproblem that has involved the Church especially inthe United States and Ireland, but it is foreseeable thatit will extend to other countries where the Church ispresent. We unite with the Church and with the worldin deploring what has happened and, in a spirit ofresponsibility and justice, we pray for the victims. Itis a significant moment for conversion and for purifi-cation for the Church and, on our part, for greaterawareness of the problem. Regarding what hasalready happened and what may happen in the future,I invite the Major Superiors of the Congregation to bevigilant and to follow the norms established for thesecases… This is also an invitation to the MajorSuperiors and to the formation personnel of our youngreligious to learn how to discern the genuineness of avocation of a candidate for Passionist religious life, aswell as his human and religious values, and his affec-tive and psychological stability.

10. WORLD YOUTH DAY 2011 IN MADRID.Last May 19th I sent a letter to the Congregation Ireporting about the initiative of the General Councilconcerning World Youth Day that will take place inMadrid, Spain during 16-21 August 2011. This willbe an opportunity for a formation meeting and fordialog with the young Passionist religious and theGeneral Council. It is our hope that young religiousfrom the various Configurations will participate.

13. THE LAY BROTHERS. Proposal No. 1 thatwas approved by the last General Chapter invites us toestablish educational opportunities for our lay Brothers.Additionally, it makes reference to the decision of theChapters of 1988-1994 and 2000 to petition the compe-tent authorities of the Holy See to establish “that theCongregation is no longer considered a clerical com-munity.” Even during these days I heard one of themembers of the Synod state that we are still too cleri-cal. Despite our repeated attempts, together with thoseof other Congregations, we need to realize that at thepresent moment it is not possible to make this change.However, I would like to make a brief observation:

The Constitutions recognize that there is equaldignity between the Priests and the Brothers, exceptfor what pertains to Canon Law concerning priestlyOrders and concerning membership in a clericalCongregation, i.e. elements that prohibit a Brotherfrom being elected a Local Superior or a MajorSuperior. It should be noted that during the past sev-eral years, if a Provincial or Vicariate Council named

a Brother to be a Local Superior (this has occurredthree or four times) and a dispensation for this situa-tion was made to the Congregation for Religious, thedispensation was always granted.

Despite the clear indications of the last fourGeneral Chapters at which we decided and confirmedour desire to overcome clericalism in theCongregation in order to eliminate any inequalitybetween Priests and Brothers, in reality our mind-sethasn’t changed. During the visitations that I havedone in various parts of the Congregation I usuallyalso meet with the young students. On at least threeoccasions, three of them told me that they wanted tobe lay Brothers, but the Superiors and the Formationpersonnel were forcing them to be clerics. And it isnot uncommon that when a young man asks to enteras a Brother, he is dissuaded and instead invited tobecome a priest.

[To address this matter, Fr. Ottaviano made a pro-posal that was later discussed and submitted to avote. The approved proposal can be read in the sec-tion of this BIP: “Matters proposed for direct votingin the Synod Aula”, No. 2.4]

(L-R) Fr. Gabriel Pak (MACOR) and Bro. Laurence Finn (MACOR).

Members of the North Europe Configuration.

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21 October 2010: Day of Formation and

Reflection on the Themes of Justice, Peace

and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC)

Before the Synod, the Synod members had a for-mation day on the themes of Justice, Peace and theIntegrity of Creation (JPIC). The general aim of theday was to remind the members of the Synod thatJPIC is an integral part of the life and mission of allPassionists.

The day was led by Father Gearóid Francisco ÓConaire OFM, Secretary General of the JPIC officeof the Union of Superiors General USG/UISG. Hegave three presentations on the following topics: 1.What is JPIC? 2. JPIC Structures in Religious Life;and 3. Some Aspects of Franciscan JPIC Structures(as an example of what can be done). Father JesúsMaria Aristin, Secretary General for Solidarity andMission, gave a presentation on JPIC in relation tothe Constitutions and spirituality of ourCongregation.

The comment was made that there can be a certaindifficulty in connecting the traditional expressions ofour charism with the demands of JPIC and that per-haps there have been mistakes or defects in the waythat JPIC has been presented. The Superior Generalnoted that there is a need to study better the linkbetween the various expressions of the demands ofour charism, especially in the context of changingtimes and the diversity of cultures.

22 October 2010 — Synod Day 1

The day began with the Opening Liturgy, celebrat-ed at three ‘stations’. In the Atrium of the Crucifix,after prayer and sacred reading, lanyards were con-ferred on the Synod members who then went in pro-cession to the statue of Saint Paul of the Cross. At thissecond ‘station’, the co-ordinator of each configura-tion received a piece of the Synod logo as a‘Symbolum Fraternitatis’. After singing ‘Salve,Sancte Pater’, the assembly moved to the aula for the

THE CHRONICLES OF THE XIV GENERAL SYNODCOMMISSIONE PER LA REDAZIONE

Editor’s Note: Below are excerpts from “The Chronicles” of Synod prepared by Frs.Alejandro Ferrari (CONC), Adolfo Lippi (PRAES) and Paul Francis Spencer (PATR) of theDrafting Commission of the Synod. The complete text can be read on the website www.passiochristi.org or in the “Documentation” of the Synod to be published at a later date.

third ‘station’ where the logo-symbol was put togeth-er and Synod members attached their lanyards to thecompleted logo. Then, before the icon of Mary,‘Salus Populi Romani’, the Synod members invitedthe Holy Spirit to be present in their midst.

The Opening of the Synod began at 11.00 a.m. in

[21ott] (L-R) Fr. Gearóid Ó Conaire, OFM and Fr. JesúsMaría Aristín.

[22ott] The Synod members receiving the lanyards (clothkey chains.)


the Aula with a short introduction by the SuperiorGeneral, Fr Ottaviano D’Egidio. Fr Denis Travers,General Consultor, introduced the facilitators, SrChristine Anderson F.C.J. and Fr Michael MullinsS.M.

Fr. Ottaviano then gave the first part of his report.This first part was inspirational in character andreflected on the role of our Charism in the process ofrestructuring. [A summary of the first part of thisreport is found in the respective section of this BIP.]

Fr. Michael Mullins then reflected on what itmeans to ‘take up Membership of the Synod’. Thework of the Synod is to take up and examine theimplementation of the General Chapter and to planthe way ahead. The Synod members now embark ona dialogue whose aim is to surface ideas which wedon’t already have and, in this way, to discover theflow of meaning for us all. This implies neither dis-cussion nor debate, but dialogue. He asked the mem-bers to reflect on these questions: ‘What were youhearing in the General’s report? What stayed withyou? What do you hope for from this GeneralSynod?’

Among hopes expressed were the following: adesire for something clear and concrete, leading to areal and specific sharing of resources; recognition ofdifferent cultures and traditions; the willingness totake risks and experience a change of mentality: anequal partnership between new and old parts of theCongregation; a solidarity based on our Passionistspirituality and charism.

In the afternoon Fr. Denis presented the GeneralCouncil’s report on restructuring. He highlighted thechallenges of globalisation and the demographicchanges we face in the church and world, and also in

our Congregation where vocations are mostly fromthe new entities. There is a need for new relationshipsto enable a new missionary presence in the world.Our newest foundations are being made by religiousfrom different provinces and vicariates. We need dia-logue between the older and newer parts of theCongregation.

Among the tasks for the Synod are the following: • How do we ensure that solidarity can be lived

effectively and practically? • What authority do we need at the level of the

configurations in order to make our decisionsbinding and effective?

• How do we respect issues like cultural diversi-ty, ethnic and national identity in a more colla-borative future?

• How do we balance diminishment and aging inthe older provinces with the need to expand andrecruit in the newer parts?

• What is the best viable size for a province?Three possible models for the future have emerged

from the reports from the configurations: 1. Provinces, Vice Provinces and Vicariates com-

bining into a new unified entity under oneLeader and one Council;

2. Some of the Provinces, Vice Provinces orVicariates within a configuration merging andsome remaining independent;

3. All the Provinces, Vice Provinces andVicariates within a configuration remainingindependent entities, with the Leaders forminga Board which has decision-making power.

The Synod members went into groups to discusswhat they have found life-giving in the process ofrestructuring our mission. Life-giving areas includedcollaboration, solidarity in formation and finance,finding a common direction, awareness of the needfor change. Some reports from groups highlighted theimportance of involving all the religious, at grassroots level, in the restructuring process and not justthose in leadership.

23 October 2010 — Synod Day 2The General Econome, Fr. Battista Ramponi, gave

a report on the income and expenditure of theGeneral Curia and Saints John and Paul Communityfrom 2007 to the first half of 2010. He gave similarinformation for the Formation Fund, the SolidarityFund and other funds administered by the Generalate.At present the General Administration is funded sole-ly by contributions from the provinces.

The report included a list of recent major works[23ott] (L-R) Fr. Denis Travers, Fr. Michael Mullins, S.M. andFr. Clemente Barron.


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undertaken at the Generalate: the new boiler room,remodeling of space in the Generalate which is nowleased to a group called the ‘Lay Centre’ which pro-motes ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue; newlow-energy lighting for the garden and grounds; theremodeling of a section of the house near the frontdoor (the ‘Garbatella’) as a guest area. Improvementsto the buildings have brought about the following:greater energy efficiency; restoration and re-use offacilities, bringing increased rental income; betterand safer facilities for those resident here and forguests; increase in value of the property throughupgrading, remodeling and restoration.

Because of low interest rates, funding for projectsis low. This is particularly worrying for theFormation Fund where there is the risk of the fund’scapital having to be used to fund formation initia-tives, because of the lack of investment income todraw on. In recent times there have been no new con-tributions to the Formation Fund. Within the contextof restructuring, there is a need to provide adequatefunds for formation, either through new contributionsor through allocating an amount from the SolidarityFund, which receives.

The General Administration Budget for 2011-2012, with contributions from the provinces, was dis-tributed and explained and, after questions and clari-fications, approved.

The afternoon began with the report from theSecretary General for Solidarity and the Missions, FrJesús Maria Aristin. He listed the works done by theSecretariat: seminars, workshops and courses in JPICin various countries; assistance in Haiti following theearthquake (more than $300,000 with support fromcommunities, men and women religious, laity,NGO’s and other groups); setting up of “PassionistSolidarity” NGO in Italy; days of prayer and studyabout JPIC throughout the Congregation; meetingswith Passionists International (Fr. Kevin Dance);JPIC meetings with the Union of Superiors General;participation in FAO (Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United Nations); maintaining thewebsite (www.jpicpassionist.org); publications; par-ticipation in various campaigns (Human Rights,Millennium objectives, the Right to Food, etc.).Included in the report was a list of projects beingassisted by Fr. Vital Otshudialokoka, Director ofProjects for the Solidarity and Mission Secretariat.

Fr. Aristin asked that all provinces would have adesignated JPIC animator. He highlighted the need tosupport the Congregation’s recent foundations andexpressed his concern for the needs of the

Congregation in Africa, while acknowledging thegenerous financial support of certain older provinceswhich can no longer provide personnel.

Fr. Kevin Dance then gave a presentation on thework of Passionists International at the UnitedNations. Demographic, social, economic, environ-mental and religious changes are part of our world.The three keys to the future are development (free-dom from want), security (freedom from fear) andhuman rights (free to live in dignity).

The reason Passionists are at the UN is found in n.65 of our Constitutions. Passionists International isactive in these areas: Development and People(Commission on the Status of Women, WorkingGroup on Girls, Commission for SocialDevelopment); Development and Human Rights(Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Israel –Palestine; Migration); Financing for Development(Millennium Development Goals, Climate Change).Passionists International is a collaborative ministryof our Congregation, the Sisters of the Cross andPassion and the Servants of the Passion. OtherPassionist groups are welcome to participate.

Presentations on two initiatives of theCongregation in Asia (PASPAC) were then given byFr. Jefferies Foale and Fr. Gabriel Pak. The chal-lenges of founding the Congregation in new cultureswith complex historical and political situations wereexplained. The needs of formation were highlighted,in terms of both personnel and finance. In the inter-ventions which followed, the progress which hasbeen made was recognized by the Synod members.

24 October 2010: Synod Day 3The morning session consisted of two talks given

[24ott] (L-R) Fr. Marco Pasquali, Fr. Battista Ramponi,Fr. Ottaviano D’Egidio and Fr. José Luis Quintero.


by Fr. Aquilino Bocos Merino C.M.F. onRestructuring in the Passionist Congregation. FrAquilino is a former Superior General of theClaretians who is working for the periodical ‘VidaReligiosa’ in Madrid.

Fr. Aquilino covered these topics: the meaning ofrestructuring; obstacles and opportunities; the ulti-mate reason for restructuring; how to make restruc-turing effective; the relationship between theCongregation and its major organisms (provinces,vice-provinces, vicariates); motivation and co-responsibility in structural innovation.

Among the important points raised by Fr Aquilinoin the course of the morning were the following: -Thestarting point must always be the radical following ofJesus: He is all that is necessary; -The secret of theprocess of restructuring is in the formulation of aProject for Life and Mission, with its priorities; -Nothing new is born in this world without pain; -Thedegree of affective and effective attachment to theCongregation will promote either greater or lessersuccess in the fulfilment of the objectives of restruc-turing; -One obstacle is the absence of clear ideas ora confusion about the apostolic design of theInstitute; -Conversion, change and transformation arenecessary in order to overcome routine and lethargy;-It is probably necessary to go beyond solidarity inthe three areas that you have singled out (formation,personnel, finance). This has to do with giving ananswer to a challenge which is more radical and pres-ent within consecrated life; -How can we organiseourselves to live in a more evangelical way and toserve the Lord and others? -Only the primacy of theHoly Spirit in our life can break the circle of medioc-rity which is the corrosive force in consecrated life; -Founders have always sought the essential in theirprojects; -A return to the origins awakens solidarity,promotes communion and supports shared responsi-bility; -The Congregation is not a corporation but acommunity of persons, a community of faith, hopeand charity which finds itself within the church. -ACongregation is a bringing together of people whohave the same spirit. The first community that wemust affirm is the Congregation; -We need to returnto the essential and frequent the future; -The future isinside us. It is ‘Adventus’; we don’t create it. Itcomes about through our being faithful to the Now.

25 October 2010: Synod Day 4The first session today was devoted to the second

part of the report of the Superior General, Fr.Ottaviano D’Egidio, entitled: ‘Starting afresh after

Cuernavaca’. [A summary of the second part of thisreport is found in the respective section of this BIP.]

The Synod went into international groups to dis-cuss two questions: What questions do you have fol-lowing the General’s talk? What did you find chal-lenging in the General’s talk?

Among issues raised were the following: Is thisway of restructuring the best way of achieving thegoal of greater fidelity and mission? Are peoplehappy with the configurations as they are? Do theconfigurations as they are at present really supportsolidarity, e.g. in relation to the needs of Africa? Inthe future, our missionaries will be coming from poorcountries and provinces; how can we support them?What is to be done if a configuration does not in facttake part in the process of restructuring? How do werecover internationality in the Congregation? Candifferent configurations have different forms of gov-ernment? Will the existing provinces lose the powerto govern themselves? What about subsidiarity?

Fr. Ottaviano expressed surprise at the hesitationswhich were still present, stressing that what is to bedone will be done within the framework of theConstitutions.

In the afternoon, the Synod began looking at thereports from the six Configurations. Fr MichaelMullins introduced the session, reminding all thatthis is part of the process of discernment; he askedthe Synod members to pay attention to the impor-tance of listening and to keep in mind the criteriawhich had been agreed at the 2008 Synod inCuernavaca.

Fr. Enzo del Brocco reported on behalf of theConfiguration of Jesus Crucified. The configuration

[25ott] (L-R) Fr. Kevin Dance (SPIR) and Fr. Robert Joerger(PAUL).


has set up three commissions as part of its organisa-tional structure: Personnel, Formation and Finance.Each commission has established criteria and guide-lines to further the work of solidarity in these areas.There are two novitiates and two student housesenvisaged. The configuration intends to create a com-mon fund for formation and other projects. ThePersonnel Commission is working on a plan of actionfor mission projects. The Major Superiors of the con-figuration acknowledge the richness of the realitieswhich compose the configuration, while admittingthat there is still some perplexity over its vast size.They had examined the possibility of dividing theconfiguration, but wish to remain together for thetime being. The configuration must be considered anopen space in which to share and create projectstogether for a new way and a new life. Fr. Enzo’sreport was supplemented by additional informationfrom Frs. Juan Rosasco (Formation), FranciscoValadez (Finance) and Augusto Canali (Personnel).

After group discussion, the following observa-tions were made: The plans are concrete and wellorganised. Are there still ways of co-operating withCLAP and FORPAL? There are good developmentsfor formation, but the sense of mission at configura-tion level needs to be strengthened. This configura-tion seems to be too big and geographically spreadout. How are the plans of the configuration receivedby those at the grass roots level? This configurationis a space for dialogue, but does such a large group-ing see itself becoming a juridic entity?

After a short break, Fr. Antonio Munduate gavethe report on behalf of the Configuration of theSacred Heart. He described the number and age ofthe religious, and the countries in which they areworking. They are working in solidarity in the area offormation and have begun developing solidarity formission with four shared projects. They intend tomove towards common management of the financesand accounting. The report included a possible formof government where the configuration wouldbecome a single jurisdiction, with a regional superiorfor the entire configuration working with four consul-tors, with the configuration divided into four zones.He hoped the Synod would clarify the following: thegeographical distribution of the configurations; thegoal to be achieved; that a common language andobjectives be used. We all need to have the same goaland the same objectives.

There was general discussion on the notion of theexisting entities being merged into one province. Thispath has already been agreed in the respective provin-

cial chapters. The importance of recognising differentcultures and traditions in Latin America was high-lighted.

26 October 2010: Synod Day 5Fr Michael Mullins S.M. informed the Synod that

the dialogue in response to the reports from configu-rations would be take place in a single group in theaula. He gave this background question: What keyissues must the Synod address for the wholeCongregation?

Fr. Leone Masnata presented the report from theConfiguration of Blessed Eugene Bossilkov. Theseven entities of the configuration looked at: possiblefuture shape for the configuration; choosing commonprojects in the areas of solidarity (formation, person-nel, finance); decision-making powers of the config-uration; ways of consulting the religious of the vari-ous provinces on the viability of the configuration.The four Italian provinces of the configuration andthe French province wish to work towards becominga single province, with five regions, while ASSUMand VULN wish to continue as distinct entities. Thereis a study group, divided into three sub-groups (for-mation, personnel, finance), and a secretary. TheItalian entities have a common novitiate and studenthouse. Collaboration includes support for Bulgariaand Lourdes. The configuration has its own websiteat www.cebnews.eu. The single province idea will bediscussed at provincial chapters in Italy. This mustnot just be a process of contraction but a way of ask-ing: ‘What do the Passionists in Europe want to be?’As well as this report, there was a document on thePolish province (ASSUM). ➥

[26ott] (L-R) Fr. Luis Alberto Cano and Fr. Aquilino BocosMerino C.M.F.


Responses included: we risk making changes butkeeping the same structure with different names. Canwe keep in mind the important issues raised by FrAquilino? Moving towards autonomy for the config-urations can work in the old parts of theCongregation which have resources, but in the newerareas (such as Africa), this gives rise to difficulties.An important task for this Synod is to carry out anevaluation of the configurations.

The next presentation was made by Fr FransDamen for the North European Sector of Passionists.The former North European Conference had workedon a proposal for a union of four or five provinces innorthern Europe but, after the Synod of 2008, thathad to be put on hold. Changes in North Europe havemade this less likely. Since the last Synod, the config-uration has followed the model of the former NECPconference. One commission was set up to work onthe three areas of solidarity, concentrating on ongo-ing formation.

This presentation was followed by a conversationin which issues were raised and all four provincials ofthe configuration responded. The difficulties of car-ing for our elderly were acknowledged, while chal-lenging questions were asked about the region’sfuture.

In the afternoon, Fr Michael Ogweno reported onthe Configuration of Passionists in Africa which, hesaid, has nothing to restructure but instead wants tostructure. The CPA is a growing part of theCongregation which believes that it is in small enti-ties that growth will take place. The primary vision ofthe CPA is ‘Solidarity in Formation, Personnel andFinance so as to enhance and make more vital theLife and Mission of the Congregation, especially inAfrica.’ Each entity aspires to self sufficiency andself determination and seeks to exercise its autonomyin collegiality within the CPA. The four regions(MATAF, SALV, GEMM and CARLW) wish toevolve into a collaborative, interdependent and colle-gial configuration with an appropriate juridical struc-ture. This can be done by a board exercising collegialjuridical authority in matters of solidarity – person-nel, formation and finance. For each solidarity area,there can be an advisory committee, with one mem-ber from each region. The configuration aims at self-reliance and financial autonomy, but realises that, inorder to become financially viable, CPA will dependinitially upon the structures for Solidarity in Financeat General level. CPA remains open to other entitiesor missions joining this configuration.

Among the responses was the suggestion to

increase the capital of the Solidarity Fund in order tosupport the new parts of the Congregation. The lastSynod proposed a levy on the sale of property for thispurpose; this proposal would need to be confirmed bythis Synod.

Fr Joachim Rego then presented the report fromthe PASPAC Configuration, which has adopted thisMission Statement: to ensure the sharing of life, mis-sion and resources throughout the Configuration andCongregation wide. The decision makers are theleaders of the congregational entities within theregion, acting together, supported by three commis-sions (Formation, Personnel, and Finances). The con-figuration is responsible for the ‘International Houseof Formation’ at Manila and Adelaide, initiated by theformer PASPAC Conference.

The configuration was praised for its history ofco-operation across many different cultures. Theorganizational model seemed quite detailed, but wasdesigned to encourage maximum participation. Theaim is a new way of operating, working and decidingtogether.

Father Fiorenzo Bordo then gave a short presenta-tion on the new mission in Nigeria which has beenestablished by members of PRAES, SALV andCARLW.

27 October 2010: Synod Day 6Sister Christine Anderson F.C.J. introduced one of

the main tasks of the Synod: to look at the viability ofthe configurations. The configurations were anexperiment in solidarity in formation, personnel andfinance; this now has to be evaluated. Human beingsfind difficulty in changing, but we have within us theresources needed for change. These are:

1) an open mind, the enemy of which is judgingbefore we have heard everything;

2) an open heart, which allows us to get in touchwith our vulnerability, and here the enemy iscynicism;

3) an open will, from which comes the desire forwhat is best for the mission and values of theCongregation; the enemy here is fear or doubt.

The evaluation would be done in configurationgroups, looking in a critical way at their own config-uration and asking if it is viable. Sister Christine sug-gested a viability tool, consisting of five areas forexamination:

1) leadership capacity, strategic thinking, focus onPassionist mission;

2) government structures, decision making; 3) financial planning, accountability;


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4) initial formation, ongoing formation; 5) communication networks, relatedness to

General Council and other configurations;In the light of all this, can you say you are work-

ing effectively towards solidarity of formation, per-sonnel and finance within your configuration? Hasyour configuration the capacity to offer solidarity toother configurations? After a period of personal dis-cernment, the groups had two questions:

1) Do you think the composition of your configu-ration is viable or do you suggest any changes?

2) Regarding the other configurations, have yousuggestions to make them increase solidarity information, personnel and finance?

In the afternoon, each configuration reported backon its discussions:

Configuration of Jesus Crucified: The majorityagree to continue as a configuration, using the modelof a neural network with various nodes. A priority isto identify a project for mission which will unite thevarious entities. They need to continue working toinvolve all the members of the configuration.Reasons for continuing were: the richness of differ-ence that exists in the configuration; the strong mis-sionary tradition which helps them not to be closed inon themselves. Sharing across configurations for for-mation (initial, ongoing and formation of laity)would be helpful. CBE should be encouraged to con-tinue working with CPA. We should not establishlifestyles which are not in harmony with the condi-tions in the country in which we live and work, as thisbecomes a counter witness to religious poverty.

Passionist Asian/Pacific Configuration (PAS-

PAC): The configuration is viable, but needs todevelop communication at grass roots level, througha newsletter or website. The General Consultor ofreference should be the configuration co-ordinator.Configurations should consist of entities which are inclose geographical proximity, but should be open tosending personnel to other areas. Concern wasexpressed about the importance of financial stability,especially in Africa. There is need for a financial sys-tem which can deal with this.

Configuration of Blessed Eugene Bossilkov:

CEB is blocked at the moment because the fourItalian provinces who are members have to wait untiltheir provincial chapters next year in order to consulttheir members. Two provinces (ASSUM and VULN)prefer to conserve their autonomy, returning to theNorth European sector. Perhaps this configurationhas to be looked at in the context of Europe as a

whole; possibly its future is to be seen more in termsof a federation, with a missionary focus on EasternEurope. A Solidarity Fund for Africa should be setup. Some members suggested that the Synod discussparagraph 39 of the second part of the SuperiorGeneral’s report, on a norm for decision-making inthe configurations).

Sacred Heart: The members agreed unanimouslyon the configuration’s viability; it has the approval ofthe three Provincial Chapters in Spain and the mem-bers of the Vice-Province of Colombia. The configu-ration needs to incorporate its Latin American mem-bers into the process, which is not for survival but tofurther a charismatic mission. The group has jour-neyed together in terms of formation and plans to goforward together. Northern Europe and CPA shouldkeep in mind the co-operation envisaged betweenyoung and older parts of the Congregation. TheConfiguration of Jesus Crucified covers a large geo-graphical area.

Conference of Passionists of Africa (CPA): Theconfiguration is viable. Member entities are from onecontinent and cultural context, with one theologate;this fosters solidarity. This is a young and dynamicgroup. Challenges include: difficulties in communica-tion caused by distance and access to means of travel;limited decision making powers because the majorityof the entities are vicariates, still dependent onprovinces in Europe. The configuration seeks finan-cial support for formation and wishes to strengthenthe role of the co-ordinator. CPA wishes to promoteco-operation across configurations. The co-ordinatorshould not be the leader of one of the entities; then hecan devote himself to the task with greater freedom.

[27ott] Fr. Floriano De Fabiis (foreground) ProcuratorGeneral and Synod members.


North European Sector of Passionists (NESP):

The configuration is viable as it stands, with struc-tures to support the elderly members and to promoteformation, both initial and ongoing, and a diversity ofministries. There are no suggestions for other config-urations. There is a need to develop the SolidarityFund to meet the needs of the Congregation world-wide.

Responses to the report included the following:The Commission for Solidarity in Finances will pre-pare a text on funds for Africa and other needy partsof the Congregation. Restructuring is for the vitalityof the whole Congregation. CPA, although lacking inmaterial resources, wishes to contribute to that vital-ity particularly through solidarity in personnel. Therewas discussion, and clarifications, on the desire ofASSUM and VULN to leave CEB.

A discussion followed on the proposed decision-making norm for configurations. There was a desireto empower the configurations without stifling theprocess by a juridic text. The text needs to have clar-ity and to reflect the mind of the Synod. The config-urations are to be places of dialogue for mission andsolidarity, but they need a way of going forwardwhen unanimity is not reached. The text was referredto a specialist group chosen by the CCC.

28 October 2010: Synod Day 7There was a proposal from the Commission for

Solidarity in Finances that all entities contributeannually 2% of the gross income of their entity’sadministration to the Solidarity Fund, and that theSynod confirm the decision of the last General Synodthat 7% of the proceeds from any sale of immobilegoods (lands or buildings) go to the Solidarity Fund.

A number of clarifications were sought. Issuesraised included the following: Criteria for the runningof the Solidarity Fund were established some timeago and could be revisited. There is a need for co-ordination between funding solidarity at configura-tion level and at the level of the whole Congregation.Should the Solidarity Fund and Formation Fund beunited or remain separate even with these fixed con-tributions. Voluntary contributions to the SolidarityFund can still be made. The proposal was carriedwith no dissenting voices.

The Superior General then gave the third part ofhis report. [A summary of the third part of this reportis found in the respective section of this BIP.]

The responses to the General’s report began witha discussion on his suggestion that we include within

our Constitutions and General Regulations a refer-ence to those laity who seek to live our PassionistCharism and be associated with our Congregation.The Italian Passionist Lay Movement has asked forsome common points to be drawn up to give an iden-tity to all the lay movements linked to ourCongregation, and for a comprehensive text on ourspirituality for laypeople to be compiled by a groupof experts; they also request that a General Consultorbe named who would act as a reference point for thevarious lay movements. We need to examine thePassionist lay movements from a theological point ofview and also look at the question of ministry forthem. (The CORM Province can no longer staff thehouse in Castellazzo, but are keeping it until 2012 inthe hope that other Passionists or our sisters or laitymight wished to become involved in the work of wel-coming visitors to Castellazzo.) The desire of laypeople to share in the spirituality and charism of reli-gious communities is an important current in theChurch today. The configurations need to examinethe way in which the various groups and movementsrelate to us: their place in the life of our provincesand communities, their responsibilities and the com-mitments they make; how their relationship with us isworking. A norm should certainly be drawn up, butafter adequate research into the variety and nature ofthese Passionist lay movements, all of which arecalled to live the Memory of the Passion according tothe Charism of Saint Paul of the Cross.

On the question of Justice and Peace and theIntegrity of Creation, it was pointed out that reli-gious, including those in formation, can apply towork for a short period of time at the United Nations.Any religious who are engaged in practical projects

[28ott] A small group discussion during the Synod.


which relate to questions of JPIC are encouraged toinform Fr Kevin, as this information can be usefulwhen the United Nations is studying particular ques-tions. We should not forget the questions related tojustice which exist in the developed world such as thearms trade, immigration, the death penalty and theinternational transfer of capital. Also in our discus-sions on world poverty, we tend to concentrate onAfrica and Latin America, forgetting about India andother countries in Asia.

The afternoon session was devoted to the sectionon sexual abuse contained in the General’s Report.The provincials of CRUC, PATR and PAUL formed apanel with Fr Michael Mullins s.m. and shared withthe Synod members their experience of how thisquestion has been and is being responded to in theirvarious countries. Among the points raised were thefollowing: the importance of dealing with child sex-ual abuse as a crime, rather than simply as a sin or apsychological problem; the necessity of reporting allcases to the statutory authorities; the primacy of lis-tening to the victims and ensuring that they have ade-quate support, rather than protecting the institution;the need for proper procedures for dealing with thoseguilty of abuse, whether sexual, physical or emotion-al. The panel’s presentation was followed by alengthy discussion which highlighted the need forsafeguarding of the vulnerable in our ministries,proper procedures in each province or entity foraddressing the issues relating to abuse in the properway, and formation for our religious in understandingthis issue.

29 October 2010: Synod Day 8On behalf of the interprovincial Passionist Youth

Ministry Team in Spain, Fr José Maria Saez gave apresentation about the World Youth Day in Madrid

in 2011. There will be a meeting of young Passionistreligious at Peñafiel from 12 to 14 August. Groups ofyoung people who are part of the Passionist familywill be welcomed at Alcalà de Henares during theWYD, from 15 to 21 August. The special Passionistday, referred to in the General’s letter on the WYD,will be on 18 August. Those interested should contactthe Youth Ministry Team and also, in the case of theMeeting of Young Religious, the Secretary Generalhere.

The work done by the Commission on Digital

Communications was then explained by Frs MarcoPasquali and Massimo Granieri. They have a newCongregational website which aims to be user friend-ly and act as a place not just of information but ofcommunication. This will be an innovative site,unlike any existing site of a religious congregation.

The Synod looked at four proposals, followingfrom the General’s report, on the size of provinces, anorm for decision-making in the configurations, atext in the Constitutions regarding Passionist laity,and Brothers being eligible for the role of FirstConsultor.

There is no fixed criterion for the number of reli-gious required for an entity of the Congregation to bea province. Normally, three canonically constitutedcommunities are required to establish a province, butseveral other questions are taken into consideration,such as the group’s ability to undertake formation ofcandidates and its financial viability. The relationshipof existing vicariates with their respective motherprovince and with their configuration is relevanthere. This proposal envisages a discussion during thenext two years which can permit an examination ofcriteria for the erection or suppression of provinces;the number of religious would be part of that, butthere would also be other criteria. The Synod mem-bers were asked to indicate their view on the aim ofthe proposal; all were in favour.

A one-page proposal on the functioning of theconfigurations was presented. After discussion,including clarifications on the role of the leader(‘president’) of a configuration and the question ofconfiguration statutes, it was suggested that Synodmembers indicate their acceptance of the content ofthe proposal, rather than the text of the proposal. Inthis spirit, a show of hands was asked for: two againstthe proposal, two abstained, and the rest in favour.

The suggestion to include a text on the PassionistLay movements in our Constitutions and General

[29ott] Members of the “Jesus Crucified” Configuration.

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[30ott] “We wish to express and affirm our strong sense of‘belonging’ to the Passionist Congregation, our readiness towelcome new things and our desire to witness in today’sworld the charism of St. Paul of the Cross.” – Openingliturgy.

Regulations was then discussed. As well as laypeo-ple, there are also diocesan priests who seek to liveaccording to our spirit. Is this about a spiritualbelonging to the Congregation or is it more than that?Some lay associates seek to live a form of consecrat-ed life. There were some difficulties with the word-ing of the proposal. It was agreed that the GeneralCouncil should study this issue, with a view to astatement on the laity for inclusion in ourConstitutions being proposed to the next GeneralChapter.

The proposal on Passionist Brothers was for a rec-ommendation to be approved by the Synod thatprovinces, vice-provinces and vicariates modify thenorms of their own regulations to allow a Brother tobe elected as First Consultor. This would be done bychanging existing legislation so that, in the event ofthe Provincial leaving office, the First Consultorwould not automatically become Provincial, but thenew Provincial would be chosen in some other way

determined by the entity’s legislation. At present aBrother cannot become Provincial, but this modifica-tion would mean that our Brothers are now eligiblefor the role of First Consultor. This has already beendone in Korea; Br Laurence Finn was asked to sharehis experience of how such a norm functioned whenhe was elected First Consultor in Korea some yearsago. The proposal was approved, with one againstand three abstentions.

The Synod members were invited by SisterChristine to reflect on the Synod so far and ask whatother issues need to be addressed. The afternoon wasto be spent in configuration groups where this couldbe discussed. The groups were also to look at thequestion of the communications with the grass roots:provinces, communities and the religious.

30 October 2010: Synod Day 9Fr Michael Mullins introduced the day’s work. It

is difficult to deal with matters ad experimentum.Here we need to suspend judgement, particularlycanonical judgement. This is a new way of acting, asystemic way. The future of the configurations willlargely depend on the quality of leadership, particu-larly at local level. A key element is dialogue at andacross the different levels; we learn this by doing.Reports on yesterday groups were then heard.

The Sacred Heart Configuration report spoke ofuncertainties about the future and the fear that theSynod has not gone far enough but has seemed to begoing backwards. The configuration wants to contin-ue on the road chosen at Cuernavaca: become a sin-gle province with zones. They listed a number of ini-tiatives, including a formators course in Rome nextJanuary, provincial chapters in the three provincesand an assembly in the vice-province, and variousevents, including the World Youth Day. They intendto keep the same co-ordinator.

PASPAC suggested that, during the Synod, moretime should have been spent in general assembly dis-cussing restructuring. The focus for our restructuringis solidarity in the three areas of personnel, formationand finance. A key characteristic of all three areas isMission. Some vicariates no longer need their moth-er province. More concrete decisions are needed,especially in situations of real need such as Africa.The process is an experience of conversion. Our reli-gious in general are not so interested in the process,as it doesn’t touch their everyday lives.Communication can help. The new website, with itsblog possibilities, will be useful. Younger membersof the configuration need to gain international expe-


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rience. It was recommended that the roles of GeneralConsultor and co-coordinator be united.

The Configuration of Passionists in Africa (CPA)affirmed that the overall environment and organisa-tion of the Synod had been good; the JPIC workshopwas appreciated. It was good to have time to meet asa configuration and to hear from the other configura-tions. It is important to follow up on the Synod andnot repeat the same things the next time. Some agree-ment has been reached on solidarity in finance;progress needs to be made at this level on the othertwo areas. In Africa, the communications challenge isdistance and lack of infrastructure. The configurationwants to embrace new means of communication.

The report from the Configuration of EugeneBossilkov (CEB) expressed the view that some of theSynod programme was not clear or well structured.We can become lost in structural or canonical detailsof restructuring. We have to communicate the reasonsfor it: not who we are as Passionists but what wewant to do in today’s world. We need to reflect onhow to bring life to our communities and deepen theirtheological, spiritual and cultural awareness. Thecommissions in this configuration will have to berecreated, as ASSUM and VULN have left the con-figuration. The configuration is now more viable thanbefore, but we cannot be sure of the viability of otherconfigurations. Africa will be viable, but is still onthe way, particularly in relation to financial autono-my. The configurations are strengthened with deci-sion-making powers. Our Congregation has memberswho are skilled in the new means of communications.The four Provincial Chapters next year will helpcommunications. Enthusiasm comes from theCharism and from new projects. There are two differ-ent paths of restructuring, because one part of theCongregation is growing and the other part is indecline. With the new norm for configurations, whatis the role of the co-ordinator?

The Configuration of Jesus Crucified found themethodology of the Synod tiring, with many themesbeing opened up, put aside, and brought back. Therewas a general tiredness in the Synod itself. Voting onthe spirit of things, rather than on specific texts, wasnot helpful. The talks by Fr Aquilino were useful andclear. The configuration has various assembliesplanned. Exchange of information within the config-uration will help. Next year, there are threeProvincial Chapters within the configuration. Thecommissions will continue. This configuration hasfive vicariates; three are attached to provinces outsideof the configuration.

NESP have reached a satisfactory agreement andwelcomed ASSUM and VULN into the configura-tion. They are happy that their model of living soli-darity has been respected and well received in theSynod. The configuration sees itself as viable; it willbe focussing on solidarity in formation. The way ofconducting business in the Synod, particularly inrelation to proposals, was not helpful. The inputreceived, particularly the workshop on JPIC and thepanel on sexual abuse, was helpful. (Other configura-tions agreed on this point.) The group expressed itsthanks for the hospitality extended and for the workof the Liturgy Commission.

Sr Christine then responded to the reports: ThisSynod was an opportunity to make changes to theconfigurations. The General Chapter will not be thetime to do so. We should ask ourselves what our mis-sion requires in our own area. There will be differ-ences of style for configurations because not all areasare the same, so we need to live with difference. Weshould look first at charism, then at finances andresources, and then at structures. This group is a lead-ership group working on behalf of the wholeCongregation; most of the others will not be interest-ed in this process. We cannot presume that we knowwhat is happening in a particular configuration or sit-uation; there is a need to check it out.

Other comments on the reports included the fol-lowing: We need enthusiasm for our charism in achanging world; the Church today is looking forways of announcing the Gospel in a world marked bypoverty and the absence of God; in France theprovince is disappearing but the charism is strong, soanother structure is needed to continue to strengthenthe charism and to give enthusiasm and hope. This isstill a time of experimentation; there needs to be theopportunity to move from one configuration toanother; we should not close that option down toosoon. This discussion is about the fear of change, ofdoing what we have decided; this process is not aboutobligation, but an open door; it is about possibility,not structure: the possibility to live together, worktogether and go forward together.

Fr Denis asked the Synod to indicate if it agreedthat the configurations should continue until the nextGeneral Chapter. A show of hands indicated that allwere in favour.

Sister Christine then presented a text on ‘Aimsand Objectives for the next two years in preparationfor the General Chapter 2012’, after which FrOttaviano, the Superior General, asked for an indica-tion from the Synod on the preferred place and theme


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for the General Chapter. Most of those who spoke onthe place for the Chapter suggested Rome, withKarungu, Kenya, in second place. Suggestions for aChapter theme focused mostly on our Mission todayand its relationship to our charism, although somesuggested that continuing the work of restructuringshould take precedence over any theme. It was sug-gested that participation of the laity in the GeneralChapter should also be examined. It was suggestedthat, in preparation for the Chapter, a panel of canon-ical experts should examine the juridic aspects of thenew structures, for example, the status of the councilof a configuration and its relationship with the enti-ties which compose the configuration and with theGeneral Council, and the question of whether theConstitutions need to be changed in order to take intoaccount the existence of the configurations. Thenumber of General Consultors needs to be examinedin the light of the needs of the configurations. It isimportant to examine new ways and look at ouroptions; it could be helpful to set up a commission tostudy the configurations and look at new apostolicinitiatives. The General Chapter has the task of set-ting up three commissions for the areas of solidarity;only one (Solidarity in Finance) exists at present; thecommissions could help with the preparation of theGeneral Chapter. A request was made for some kindof protocol book for provincials to assist them withprocedure; an alternative would be the workshop fornew major superiors recommended by the lastGeneral Chapter.

31 October 2010: Synod Day 10This session was in four parts: the reading by the

Synod Secretary of the decisions taken by the Synod;a statement from the General Econome on theexpenses of the Synod; a verbal evaluation of theSynod; the Superior General’s concluding remarks.

Fr. José Luis Quintero read the text of the six pro-posals which had been agreed by the Synod. Theseare: the proposal on the Solidarity Fund from theCommission on Solidarity in Finance; the proposal tostudy the question of criteria for the viability ofprovinces and the situation of the vicariates in prepa-ration for the 2012 General Chapter; the proposal ongiving decision-making powers to the configurations;the proposal that the General Council consult ourown religious and the members of the variousPassionist lay movements and examine the situationof the various groups, with a view to including refer-ences to our Passionist lay movements in both theConstitutions and the General Regulations; the rec-

ommendation to provinces regarding the eligibility ofPassionist Brothers to the role of First Consultor; theproposal that the configurations continue to operateuntil the 2012 General Chapter.

The General Econome gave the Synod members adetailed breakdown of the costs incurred during theSynod, including travel to Rome for Synod members,food and lodging, rental of equipment for the secretari-at and translators, costs for facilitators and speakers.

This was followed by a time of sharing for evalu-ating the Synod. The Synod members had alreadyreceived a form for a written evaluation on the previ-ous day.

Father Ottaviano D’Egidio, Superior General,then gave his concluding remarks. The evaluation hasbeen useful and helpful. There were perhaps somemoments of confusion in the Synod, with texts notbeing sufficiently prepared before being submitted tothe assembly. During this Synod we evaluated theviability of the configurations. It was useful to hearthe strengths and weaknesses not just of the configu-rations but also of some of the provinces and vicari-ates. The General referred to no. 37 of the second partof his report, where he had highlighted the two cru-cial points which the Synod needed to clarify: 1) theviability of the configurations, and 2) the legislativeand executive capacity required by the councils of theconfigurations. Fr Ottaviano now referred to the fourprinciples of nomads, which can be useful in a timeof restructuring: 1) adapt to nature: 2) adapt to otherpeople; 3) practice openness to others; 4) practicereciprocity of life, which means not helping someoneso that they will help me, but helping another so thatsomeone in the future will be helped. In one of hisnovels, Flaubert wrote, ‘Do you love this personenough to give up your happiness for their happi-ness?’ Jesus did this for us. The General thanked allthose who had worked to support the Synod and allthe Synod members for their participation. Yesterdayhad been a disappointing day for him but now he wasmore hopeful; he encouraged the Synod members togo forward in the process of restructuring. It wastheir task as superiors to let people know what hadhappened at the Synod; no one should try to obstructthe move forward; all should consider themselvesbound by what has been decided together. It was timeto go forward joyfully, under the guidance of SaintPaul of the Cross who is smiling down on us.

The session was followed by Mass presided overby Fr Ottaviano, during which he preached the finalhomily and formally closed the 14th General Synodof the Passionist Congregation.


➥One of the liturgies during the Synod.

1. The finance commissionThe Proposal of the Finance Commission thatwas established following the Synod of 2008 waspresented during the morning session of 28October, during the first session.It was approved by a majority of votes (No.2: 50votes in favor; No. 3: 50 votes in favor; No.4: 49in favor and one abstention.)

2. The study of the proposals or recom-mendations included in the third part ofthe report of Fr. GeneralThese were presented for discussion and votingin the morning session of 29 October. The pre-vious day they were studied and they were re-for-mulated. At various times in the aula they spokeabout the need to vote more on the content ofthese rather than on their formulation which nee-ded more precision and clarity.

1) The Proposal regarding the study on the cri-

teria of the viability of the provinces and the

situation of the vicariates in preparation for

the General Chapter of 2012.

Vote: 49 voting. 49 in favor (affirmative)

2) Proposal of the General Council regarding

the legislative (decision-making) and execu-

tive power of the Configurations during this

period prior to the General Chapter of 2012.

MATTERS PROPOSED FOR DIRECT VOTINGIN THE SYNOD AULA

The proposal was reformulated followingdiscussion the day before in the aula. Someareas of possible juridical confusion were eli-minated and more generic terms were used, forexample, “leader” or “president” in order toallow for more different possibilities and lin-guistic sensitivities.Vote: Yes: 45; No: 2; Abstentions: 2

3) Include a reference to the Laity in the

Constitutions and in the Regulations

(Community Life, No. 37 or in No. 100).

For different reasons: legal consequences insome countries; confusion and a lack of preci-sion in the formulation; insufficient considera-tion of the laity, the proposal as it is and as itwas formulated did not allow for this.The following proposal was then formulated:That the General Council consult with the

Congregation and the laity (lay groups) in

order to learn more specifically about their

reality and hear their opinion with regard to

the inclusion of this reference to them in the

Constitutions.

Vote: unanimously approved

It was made more precise by a second question:Do we agree that a reference to the laity

should be included in the Constitutions?

The Synod agreed unanimously that there

should be a reference to the laity in the

Constitutions and statutes following the

Consulta that approved it.

Approved by absolute majority.

4) Petition to include a proposal in particular

legislations that would allow access of the lay

Brothers to the service of First Provincial or

Vicarial Consultor.

Before voting, mention was again made aboutthe importance of formation for religiousBrothers. Secondly, mention was made aboutall the study that was done about their status inthe Congregation and that from time to time,we had requested that the Holy See no longerdesignate our Congregation as “clerical”. Inresponse the Sacred Congregation stated that


our Congregation was “clerical”. This recom-mendation may open new possibilities.Vote on the Recommendation: Yes: 46; No: 1;Abstentions: 3

3. Ratification of the configurations.This matter was submitted for voting at the begin-ning of the second morning session of 30 October.The item for voting was formulated as follows: Do

we agree that the Configurations continue as

they are at this moment until the General

Chapter of 2012? Does this Synod agree with this?50 voting; 50 in favor. Unanimously approved.

Then the Synod members were presented a list oftasks and objectives to be prepared during the nexttwo years.

“The new mind-set that the Holy Spirit asks of us in thisSynod is to move from ‘I’ to ‘we’, from ‘my’ to ‘our’…tothinking in terms of the Congregation.”

Fr. Ottaviano D’Egidio, 11 Oct. 2009.

The term “symbol” comes from the Greekword “symbolon”, which in its original

meaning, was a sign of recognition obtained bybreaking an object into fragments. Two or morepersons, who were going separate ways in cour-se of their lives and wanted to keep a remem-brance or a proof of their relationship, couldeach keep a part of an object. Then when theymet again (or their descendants or their emissa-ries had the opportunity to meet) they could reu-nite the two fragments as a remembrance and atestimony of their relationship that they had reu-nited.

Plato, in his work “Symposium”, relates amyth according to which Zeus, in order to punish men, wanted to cut them in two parts, without everreassembling them. Since then, wrote the philosopher, everyone is a symbolon of a man: he is the halfwhile is missing from the whole and which he is continually seeking.

The symbol of the Passionist Sign that is divided into sections like the Configurations, one that fitsinto the other, is meant to visualize the path that Congregation of the Passion is engaged in through theprocess of Restructuring. Every consecrated religious, community, Province or new Configuration hasmeaning to the degree that it realizes that, in itself, it is insufficient and that it understands itself to bepart of something that is beyond it and to which it aspires.

The Passionist symbol, an expression of the charism instituted by St. Paul of the Cross and by hismission in the Church, assumes then meaning in its reassembly as a whole. In fact, the inclusion of theother is clearly illustrated by the Apostle Paul in the hymn found in the letter to the Philippians, whichreconciles differences, initiates communication, and mediates opposing realities that are heterogeneous,and even contrasting. “Christ Jesus…though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality withGod something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…” (Phil. 2:6-7).

Let us also “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:5)so that by losing ourselves in each other we will find ourselves: “The one who seeks his life, who wantsto have life for himself, loses it and whoever loses his life, finds it.” (Benedict XVI).

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HOMILY FOR THE CLOSINGOF THE XIV GENERAL SYNOD

(Wis. 11:22-12:22; Thes. 1:11-2:2; Lk. 19:1-10)

PP.. OOttttaavviiaannoo DD’’EEggiiddiioo, C.P., General Superior

Editor’s Note: The complete text of the closing homily of the Superior General can befound online at www.passiochristi.org and in the “Documentation” of the Synod to bepublished at a later date.

My dearest Brothers of the Congregation,Let us thank God for these days that wehave spent together. Let us do this with the

Eucharist where Jesus himself becomes thanksgivingto the Father by his death that is renewed and offeredin another “Last Supper” in the cenacle of this chapelwhere He again is priest and victim and where we,together with Him, form the mystical body which isthe Church.

Solidarity has its maximum expression on theCross where Jesus dies for us and in the Cenaclewhere He takes bread, which is His body, and breaksit and shares it among the disciples. He takes the cup,which is His blood, and he gives it to the disciples sothat they may all drink from it. Breaking and sharingthe same bread and drinking from the same cup arethe “sign” of sharing and solidarity and doing this we“remember.” We do this in this Eucharistic sacrificewhere: “Because the loaf of bread is one, we, thoughmany are one body, for we all partake of the oneloaf.” (1Cor.10:17) Personal choices, choices as aSynod and as a Congregation cannot contradict whatwe are celebrating. It was sharing and breaking thebread that could be distributed, that enabled the dis-ciples of Emmaus to recognize Jesus.

However, the days of this Synod, two years afterthe Synod of Cuernavaca, were not easy. We experi-enced foggy days, feeling lost, feeling afraid and feel-ing tempted to a “reverse Exodus”—wanting to turnback, like Israel, to slave labor and the precarious lifein Egypt. God had a plan for his people; it was not aplan to help the powerful, but to free the oppressed.

The presence of God strengthens, encourages andtransforms. This is what today’s gospel reminds uswith the account of the meeting of Zacchaeus withJesus in the biblical city of Jericho—a vast oasis richin water, date palms and fruit trees, and there are alsosycamore trees that appear in today’s gospel episode.

There are many elements that describe Zacchaeus:he was rich, he was small in stature, he was a sinner –a Jewish man at the service of the Roman occupationtroops- he extorted money from his fellow citizens;however, he wanted to “see” Jesus. The gospel says

he “ran ahead” and he climbed a sycamore tree. Andup there, he waits and he watches from a distance, notwanting to get too involved; but Jesus looks up andcalls him by name: “”Zacchaeus, come down quick-ly..” and surprisingly Jesus invites himself to hishome… “for today I must stay at your house.”Salvation is offered today. We, too, are aware that itis often this “today” that is present in our search foranswers for our mission and as yeast in today’s world.Using the current process of reviewing positions andthe weaknesses and strengths of our communities,there is the common desire to discern appropriateresponses to the “today” of God whose Reign is in ourmidst. “Today I must stay at your house”—Zacchaeus hurries down and welcomes Jesus with joy.If it is authentic, the meeting with Jesus accomplishessalvation: “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, Ishall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anythingfrom anyone I shall repay it four times over.” It issharing; it is a change of view and relationship with

“Let us thank God for these days that we have spenttogether. Let us do this with the Eucharist where Jesushimself becomes thanksgiving to the Father by his deaththat is renewed and offered in another ‘Last Supper’ in thecenacle of this chapel…”.


●

others; it is the capacity to act withgenerosity. Jesus, observing the con-version that took place in Zacchaeusduring the encounter (“Today I muststay at your house.”) says: “Todaysalvation has come to this house.”This “today” from the mouth ofJesus still resounds, confirming thedivine intervention in that moment ofgrace and responsibility. It is a“today” that is always new, thatbecomes the future for the Churchand for the Congregation and for ouryoung and for us who are responsibleto them for the task entrusted to us aselder brothers. This refers to theRestructuring and choices that weare making. However, faithfulnessrequires of us greater enthusiasm,courage and faith in God. Let usavoid impeding the future by each ofus remaining ensconced in our hous-es and in our own situations: God hasinvited us to leave the encampment.

Zacchaeus does not make anyother statements to Jesus: he is onlyhappy to receive Him and he promises solidarity withthe poor and the restitution of goods to those that hehas defrauded, and Jesus says that salvation hasentered that house. The same thing will happen in thefirst community of Jerusalem where powerful wit-ness was given when the disciples placed their goodsin common. (Acts 4:34 ff.) Similarly, Zacchaeusstrove to share his wealth and to repay what he hadunjustly extorted.

Justice that is restored reconstitutes him as a sonof Abraham; solidarity affords him new membershipamong the people of Israel. Meeting withJesus–Solidarity—Salvation: three words and threerealities that are intimately connected in this episode.Each is a result of the others. They are also symbol-ic for us and for what we are trying to do as aCongregation during these years and during the daysof this Synod: they should be directives and confir-mations of what God wants from us “today”—a wordthat Jesus says repeatedly in this gospel.

And I am not surprised that this gospel is offeredto us today for our study and reflection, as if God wasclosely following our journey. He knows our weak-ness and indecision; but he wants to affirm the planHe has for us in our spirit and in our heart. The gospelepisode of Zacchaeus is his word for us as we closethe Synod. It is his prophecy for us. He wants to tellus that meeting and living with Jesus (“I must stay atyour house”) is fundamental and it is the premise forevery act of salvation. It is an invitation to a profoundspiritual life and intimacy in community with theLord (“at your house”). We want to assert that anauthentic encounter with Jesus converts and helps torestore justice and to recognize the rights of the poor.

It generates and strengthens the capacity to sharegoods and lives. And this initiates salvation; it is theReign of God in us and in the Congregation. And thegospel, in its mystery, also reminds us about the mis-sion that “the Son of Man has come to seek and tosave what was lost.” It summarizes the meaning ofthe entire mission of Jesus and our mission throughthe Passionist vocation that we received. In fact, Heis the shepherd who came to search for the lost sheepand He did so by going to the houses of “sinners” andby allowing himself to be crucified among “thieves”.

In the first reading from the book of Wisdom, itstates that God loves everything that he created.Love has a determining role to play in creation- “youlove all things that are” because his “imperishablespirit is in all things”—and this is especially true forhuman beings. God has compassion on everyone; lit-tle by little he corrects; he forgives our sins and heloves life. God wants to convince us of his love forus – an infinite love that we have come to know onthe Cross where Jesus, out of compassion for us,went to take our place: the innocent One whobecame the guilty victim for all the sins of the world.And as a Congregation, and as the Passionist Family,through our vocation we are witnesses of this throughthe charism of St. Paul of the Cross and the mandateof the Church. I thank each and every one of youespecially for your presence and your participation:we are a gift to each other. Let us entrust the work ofthis Synod and the next two years in preparation forthe General Chapter to the protection of Mary, “SalusPopuli Romani” (The Health of the Roman People).May St. Paul of the Cross bless us and protect you asyou travel home. Amen.

“Solidarity has its maximum expression on the Cross where Jesus dies for usand in the Cenacle where He takes bread, which is His body, and breaks it andshares it among the disciples.”

PROFESSIONS AND ORDINATIONS


PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS

Ten of our religious were ordained to thePriesthood during the period July-October 2010.

Frs. Petrus David and Silvanus Ilwan REPACProvince of Indonesia were ordained to the priest-hood on 19 June 2010. Fr. Giuseppe Cascardi of theLAT Province of Italy was ordained on 29 June 2010.Fr. Placid Siyoyi of the CORM GEMM Vicariate ofTanzania was ordained to the priesthood on 08 July2010. On 10 July 2010 in the CFIXI Province ofItaly Fr. Hermanus Beda Koten and Gaetano Costawere ordained. In the SANG Province of Spain Fr.Juan José Rodríguez Mela was ordained to the priest-hood on 04 September 2010. And on 18 September,Fr. Valdomiro dos Santos of the PRAES-DOMINVicariate of Brazil was ordained. And finally, on 09October 2010, Frs. Washington Roberto BuitrónFlores and Gerardo Ariel Cruz Arias were ordainedpriests in the FAM Province of Spain.

DIACONATE ORDINATIONS

During the period July– October 2010, nineteenreligious were ordained to the Diaconate.

On 03 July 2010, Elson Mauro do Nascimento ofthe DOL-VICT Vicariate of Brazil was ordained tothe deaconate. In the PRAES-DOMIN Vicariate ofBrazil, José Carlos Souza Aquino was ordained to theDiaconate on 10 July 2010.

On 11 July in the FAT Province of Portugal, NunoFilipe Ventura Martins was ordained a deacon. Tworeligious were ordained deacons in the FID Vice-Province of Colombia on 14 August 2010: DilmerHernán Enríquez Rengifo and Fernando Alfredo RuizSaldarriga. In the PASS Province of the Philippines,the following religious were ordained to the dea-conate on 28 August 2010: Sherwin Jude FudalanDetuya, Arnil Gijan Carbon, Jeffty Madura Mendezand Ramil Sumatra Poquita.

Five religious were ordained deacons in theASSUM Province of Poland on 18 September 2010:Lukasz Andrzejewski, Wojciech Kowalczyk, RobertOr∏owski, Rafal Pujsza, Pawel Sokal and JacekWróblewski.

Lenin Martínez Osio of the FAM Province ofSpain was ordained to the deaconate on 16 October2010. And on 30 October in the CORM-CARLWVicariate of Kenya, the following religious wereordained deacons: Samson Amala Odera, RobertOchieng Odongo and Jacob Otieno Okomo.

PROFESSION OF FIRST VOWS

During the period of July through October, 2010,twenty four religious professed First Vows. On 09July 2010 in the REPAC Province of Indonesia,Agato Agato, Bro. Leo Mareto, Fabianus Rudi,Petrus Sukarni, Mikael Sumarto, Yoseph Wasito andYuvensius Yeri professed First Vows. And on thesame day in CORM GEMM Vicariate of Tanzania thefollowing religious professed First Vows: JohnFrancis Kaniki, Michael Joseph Mabula, Pastor PeterMumburi and Patrice John Oisso. In the REGProvince of Mexico, Alexander Márquez Olivaresand Clemente Olvera Guerrero professed First Vowson 10 July 2010. François Droumo Kando of theSALV Vice-Province of Congo professed vows on 31July 2010. These religious of the FAM Province ofSpain professed First Vows on 15 September 2010:Roberto Salvador Guijarro Romero, Bro. JoséAntonio López Montes, Manuel Mendoza Méndez,Edwin René Ponce Orellana and José Arturo SeveroEspinoza. On the same day, Jakub Gis and GrzegorzSzczygie∏ of the ASSUM Province of Poland pro-fessed First Vows. Bro. Gaetano Vitale of the CFIXIProvince of Italy professed Vows on 18 September2010. Finally on 19 September, in the FAT Provinceof Portugal, Bro. Tiago Manuel Oliveira Pereira andon the same day in the LAT Province of Italy,Francesco Solazzo professed First Vows.

PROFESSION OF FINAL VOWS

Eighteen religious professed Final Vows duringthe period of July through October, 2010. In theREPAC Province of Indonesia, four religiousprofessed Final Vows on 09 July 2010: PenisiusDeta, Rafael Gabhe, Martinus Ngabadi and YohanesSudarmono. On 15 August 2010, Gabriel Buchingerof the VULN Vice-Province of Germany-Austriaprofessed First Vows. In the ASSUM Province ofPoland, eight religious professed Final Vows on 12September 2010: Lukasz Andrzejewski, WojciechKowalczyk, Mykola Lyahutko, LukaszNawotczynski, Rafal Pujsza, Pawel Sokal, MiroslawStocki and Jacek Wróblewski. These four religiousprofessed Final Vows on 14 September in the FAMProvince of Spain: Emilio Hidalgo Jiménez, CarlosMijares Gonzalez, Rodolfo Rojas Gamboa and CarlosArturo Talavera Becerra. Finally, on 30 October, inthe FID Vice-Province of Colombia, César AugustoCalderón Ramos professed Final Vows. ●

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Almeras, Charles, SJ

ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS, FOUNDER OF THE

PASSIONISTS.

Curatore: Laurence Finn, CP, Seoul, Korea, 2002.

Artola Arbiza, Antonio Maria, CP

EL CONSTITUTIVO DE LA ESCRITURA,

COMO “PALABRA DE DIOS POR INSPIRA-

CION”.

ALPHA OMEGA, 2010, Extracta: ALPHA OMEGA,Anno XIII, Numero 1, Gennaio-Aprile 2010.pp. 127-155.

Aureli, Paolo, CP

40 TAHUN IMAMAT P. PAOLO (PAULUS)

AURELI CP - “SEGALANYA RENCANA

TUHAN”. 2010.

Kelley, Benet, CP

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION ACCORDING TO ST.

PAUL OF THE CROSS.

Seoul, Korea, 2010.

Lenzen, Gregor, CP

IL “RITIRO” IN SAN PAOLO DELLA CROCE

(1694-1775) STORIA, SPIRITUALITA’ E

ATTUALITA’.

Roma, 2010, RICERCE DI STORIA E SPIRITUALITA’PASSIONISTA – 61.

MACOR

OFFICIUM PROPRIUM - Congregationis

Passionis Iesu Christi.

Provincia SS. Martyres Coreani, 2010.

Pallotta, Alfredo, C.P.

UN ESORCISTA SI CONFESSA - UN’OBBEDIENZA

E UN MANDATO AL SANTUARIO DI SANTA

GEMMA - CONFESSORE ED ESORCISTA.

SHALOM, 2009.

Pandor, Pius, CP

EX LATINA CLARITAS - Dari Bahasa Latin

Muncul Kekjernihan.

OBOR, 2010.

Paolo Della Croce

LA VIA DEL DOLORE E’ LA CROCE - LA VIA

DELL’AMORE E’ LA CROCE - (Messaggi).

Clementi, Antonio, CP, S. ANGELO, 2010.

Pereira, José Carlos, C.P.

SUGERENCIAS PARA DINAMIZAR LAS

CELEBRACIONES - CICLO A.

EDICIONES DABAR, México, 2010 - Titulooriginal: Liturgia, Sugestões para dinamizar ascelebrações, Anos a, b e c.

TREZENA A SANTA LUZIA - Roteiro de

preparação e celebração.

Edições Loyola, 2010.

Picard, P. J.-L.

CLEMENTINA - LA VULGATE CLEMENTINE

DANS L’OEUVRE ECRITE DE SAINT PAUL

DE LA CROIX - ESSAIS D’EVALUATION.

Le Puy-en-Velay, 2010.

Vanden Bussche, J., C.P.

PROMPTUARIUM CHORALE CONGREGA-

TIONIS PASSIONIS.

Wezembeek-Oppem, 2010.

Fr. Battista Ramponi, General Econome, shows the Synodmembers the newly rennovated area beneath the refectoryof Sts. John and Paul that will house the Stauros Libraryfrom Belgium.

Usque ad diem 15 febbraio 2009 – 12 giugno 2009, acceptae

DIE OBDORMIVIT PROVINCIA NATUS VOTAIN DOMINO NUNCUPAVERAT

01/07/2010 Sac. Paolo Maria Totaro PIET 10/09/1912 04/11/192817/07/2010 Fra. Antonio Martínez de la Fuente SANG 22/10/1925 17/09/195122/07/2010 Sac. Marcello Alberti CORM 29/05/1924 15/09/194122/07/2010 Fra. Frans Van Oeckel GABR 02/02/1934 09/11/195319/08/2010 Sac. Columkille O’Grady PAUL 12/12/1943 15/08/196426/08/2010 Sac. Benvenuto Bellomi CORM 16/09/1923 09/09/194231/08/2010 Sac. Innocenzo Cavaglià CORM 09/05/1929 21/11/195209/09/2010 Sac. Koenraad Maes GABR 18/12/1921 15/09/194112/09/2010 Sac. Cajetan Bendernagel PAUL 03/02/1925 15/08/194608/10/2010 Sac. Jesús María López Peciña SANG 04/05/1928 18/08/197309/10/2010 Sac. Raffaele Tresca SPIR 24/10/1926 08/12/195711/10/2010 Sac. Pacifico Frappetta PIET 04/10/1920 22/09/193715/10/2010 Sac. John O’Brien PAUL 07/10/1941 15/08/196215/10/2010 Sac. John C. Ryan PAUL 28/12/1920 15/08/194118/10/2010 Fra. Francisco Zapatero Santos SANG 09/02/1913 24/02/192923/10/2010 Sac. Osmund Slevin PATR 04/02/1931 15/09/194924/10/2010 Sac. Jerzy Józef Kopeć ASSUM 11/12/1938 01/09/195725/10/2010 Sac. René Champagne CRUC 14/03/1921 17/07/1942

MONIALES ET SORORES DEFUNCTAE

03/05/2010 Sr. Maria Rosa Monasterio Passionistarum 1917 1945van het Eucharistie Leenders de Arnhem (Nederland)

25/06/2010 Sr. Patricia Denny SS. Crucis et Passionis 1928 1952D.N.I.C. (Anglia)

30/06/2010 Sr. Maria Pierina S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1921 1939di S. Michele Acitelli

30/06/2010 Sr. Dionorah da Sagrada Família S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1921 1947Camargo da Rocha

18/07/2010 Sr. Maria Calixta do Sagrado Coração S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1922 1951de Jesus Marini

19/07/2010 Sr. Riccarda di S. Giacomo Corgnale S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1923 194124/07/2010 Sr. Marie-Benigna van Jezus Monasterio Passionistarum 1931 1954

en Maria Royakkers de Heule (België)30/07/2010 Sr. Michael Mary Tyson SS. Crucis et Passionis 1919 1946

D.N.I.C. (Anglia)05/08/2010 Sr. Marcelina de Nossa Senhora S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1918 1935

de Apresentação Martins06/08/2010 Sr. Maria Clementina do Coraçâo Monasterio Passionistarum 1928 1950

de Jesus Nicácio de São Paulo (Brasil)16/08/2010 Sr. Margaret Mary Forster Monasterio Passionistarum 1923 1947

de Clarks Summit (U.S.A.)18/08/2010 Sr. Dolorosa Green SS. Crucis et Passionis 1923 1955

D.N.I.C. (Anglia)19/08/2010 Sr. Eunice de São José Freire Lopes S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa) 1936 1956.28/08/2010 Sr. Eugenie Murnion SS. Crucis et Passionis 1933 1952

D.N.I.C. (Anglia)08/09/2010 Sr. Maria Teresa del Amor de Dios Monasterio Passionistarum 1912 1949

Canta Biancon de Oviedo (España)09/10/2010 Sr. Mary O’Dwyer SS. Crucis et Passionis 1925 1950

D.N.I.C. (Anglia)

NOTITIAE OBITUS


VISIT OUR WEB SITE

WWWWWW..PPAASSSSIIOOCCHHRRIISSTTII..OORRGGE-mail BIP: [email protected]

We have the resources and the energy that is needed and I encourage you to use themto accomplish what God asks of us though the signs of the times and in this moment inhistory. I am convinced that in the same charism of the Founder can be found the roots forrenewal in today’s intercultural context. With his arms extended on the Cross, Jesustranscends barriers and cultural prejudices and makes understanding possible by openingnew spaces for interaction among us for new Passionist life.

With great confidence, let us entrust ourselves to Mary so that she may obtain for us fromher Son the power to fulfill the mission at hand during these days of the Synod, with thesame courage and mind-set that she had:

“At the Cross of Jesus was his mother/ strengthened in faith/ renewed in hope/ on fire withardent zeal in charity.” Amen.

(Report of the Superior General to the XIV General Synod,Rome, 25 October 2010, Part II)

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