News and Views from Rome -5: GETTING THE GENERAL CHAPTER MACHINERY IN PLACE!

The days following the official opening of the Chapter were devoted to setting up the machinery – structures and processes --necessary to run the Chapter smoothly.

04/03/14. Tuesday

On 4^th Tuesday, the Rector Major presented one name from each of the Regions from among whom the three Moderators of the General Assemblies were to be elected by absolute majority.  

The three elected by absolute majority were Fr. Leonardo Mancini from the Central European region, Fr. Jimenez Manola from the Tropical Africa region and Fr. Raphael Jayapalan region (Provincial of Chennai)  from South Asia  region. Mancini  was elected in the first ballot. The other two in the second.

The moderator then called attention to the Regulation of the Chapter and told the members to spend the rest of the morning studying these regulations. These were approved by the Assembly later in the day.

5/3/13. Ash Wednesday

The morning session was devoted entirely to the discussion and approval of the Regulations of the Chapter. There were lively interventions and some modifications of the draft before it was approved.

The afternoon session was devoted to formation of Commissions. Before lunch each member had been given an opportunity to make his preferences known in writing.

There are four commissions discussing the theme of the Chapter and one Juridical Commission. Each commission elected a President, a Reporter and a Secretary.

6/3/14. Thursday

The entire morning was spent in the study of the Report of the Rector Major in the Commissions and reporting on them.

In the afternoon statistics were presented on the global reality of the Congregation which helped to better understand the Report of the Rector Major. 

7/3/2014. Friday

The Rector Major gave his response to the observations and questions (from commissions and individuals) on his report. He delegated questions related to the sectors to the Regionals concerned, who were also on the dais along with him.

This was continued in the morning session on 7th. Saturday afternoon was free.