The general chapter has just concluded on 25 November 2016. This is the first general chapter held in Asia. The chapter was of four weeks duration -October 31 to November 25. There were 116 participants, comprising of 101 capitulars, five lay representatives, three notaries and seven interpreters and technicians. It was a time of grace and celebrating the fraternal life and solidarity together. As you know, Most Rev. Fr. Michael Brehl who is reelected as the General and his new consultors are the following: Fr. Alberto Eseverrie (re-elected) who is the new vicar general, Fr. Nicholas Martin from Africa- Madagascar Conference, Bro. Jeffrey Rolle – North American Conference (re-elected), and Fr. Pedro Lopez from the Conference of Europe, Fr. Rogerio Gomes from the conference of Latin America and Fr. Sebastian Ani Dato from the conference of Asia Oceania. Congratulations to them and let us extend our whole support and prayers for them. We have decided on 87 propositions during the chapter and on the final day we passed the theme for the coming sexennium and the message from the Chapter for all the members. When the chapter was concluded we have the theme, message and decisions of the chapter digitally. The official document will be brought out by February 2017. The theme for the new sexennium: Witnesses of the Redeemer in Solidarity for Mission to a Wounded World.
We had the discussions, on the following documents in plenary sessions. Report of the Superior General to the XXV General Chapter was about the state of the congregation in five conferences. Each of the five Conferences of the Congregation has presented a Report which outlined the developments that have taken place in the past six years. The Working Document of the 25th General Chapter: Part A and Part B of the Working Document were discussed during the first phase meetings of the Chapter. The authors of the Working Document have completed the document by adding Part C. The Report of the Commission for Economic Solidarity, Postulata and Norms of Procedure were some of the other documents taken for discussion.
Like all that is good and grand, the Chapter too has to be realized in each of us to be understood and appreciated. It must become the substance of our thinking, planning and of our lives before it is transformed into rhythmical action. With the help of the Holy Spirit and under the loving guidance of the superiors deputed for this most delicate task let us co-operate and support one another. Thus can we carry out not so much the individual dispositions, but the overall plan intended to renew our life as Redemptorist Missionaries.
Fr. Joy Poonoly CSsR.
