I. SEE what's happening to Congregational structures and the Rule of Life which governs them. (Cf. Text, A. Introductory Part. Situation of the Congregation and its Elements Today).
1. R. of L. 1973-86 is a photo of the Congregation during that time frame: the province is seen as the basic and chief structure.2. Circumstances have evolved: greater autonomy and importance given the Region; development of new groupings that are international in character.
3. Inadequacy of the R. of L. to deal with the new groupings or to deal with declining provinces. Inadequacy of the R. of L. in the area of requirements/conditions for the erection, modification, and suppression of structures.
II. JUDGE. (Cf. Text, A. Introductory Part. Orientations and Operative Principles…)
Among the orientations and operative principles set forth for the sake of revising present structures and creating new ones we highlight three which call for new dispositions:
1. Join the principle of subsidiarity to the principle of congregational communion.Congregational communion which already exists was affirmed as a regulatory principle for the Congregation by the Twentieth General Chapter: "collaboration in projects, communion of persons, sharing of goods". This is the operational definition of "Sint Unum".
2. Move on from a pyramid-like structure to a horizontal structure.
The R. of L. 1973-86 abides by a pyramid-like arrangement: local communities make up regions and/or provinces. Regions are integral parts of their respective provinces and are directly accountable to them. Rapport between regions and the general administration is not direct, but is made through the respective mother provinces; only provinces enjoy direct and unmediated rapport with the general administration.
The "ad hoc" committee proposes a horizontal arrangement. In it, new structures would not directly depend upon a single province or the general administration; they would enjoy a certain level of autonomy required for their development; they would enjoy a direct rapport with the general administration similar to that enjoyed by a province. Because such an arrangement would go beyond the limits of established competencies, they would need to obtain authorization directly from the general administration.
The "ad hoc" committee proposes such an arrangement for new groupings that are international in character.
3. To be efficacious, these two principles would require a "change of heart" among superiors and confreres.
From awareness of the province one would have to pass to awareness of "We, the Congregation". From a consciousness that the province is the most important part of the Congregation we would have to accept that even regions and new groupings are directly constituent parts of the Congregation.
Setting up new structures and new forms of government will be effective only when the required change of mentality takes place.
III. ACT (Cf. Text, B. Propositional Part. Creation of New Structures and Revision of Current Ones …)
In fact and by law, there are four levels of "structures of forms of government in the Congregation:
1. local level: "residence", "filial house", "principal house", "area community". The text makes clear certain terms (area community, sectores, Rektorat, Koordinatorat) used in the Congregation and the equivalent type of governance.Certain problems dealing with "isolated religious" (Q01) are brought to light as well as certain requirements for an area community (Q02-03) and a "local community" (Q04).
2. intermediate level.
With respect to present structures ("region dependent upon a province"), two new structures and forms of government are being proposed as in keeping with the demands of internationality:
- "District" (or missionary district, delegation, territorial community… Q05): with specific requirements for establishment (Q06) and certain faculties to be enjoyed by the government (Q07).
- "region nullius provinciae" (Q10a.b.): with specific requirements for its establishment (Q08) and the more important faculties for government (Q09).
3. upper or higher level. In addition to the actual province structure which needs a better job of defining how new ones should be erected, proposals are offered for:
- "fusion" and/or "confederation" (Q12) of declining provinces with new forms of government for a confederated province (Q13).
- "geographic zones" (Q14a): since there are wide differences among provinces in the various geographic zones, we propose a step-by-step procedure from first contacts (like exchange of experiences), to collaboration (common projects and plans), and to coordination (up to the establishment of Interprovince conferences as the Twentieth General Chapter wanted) (Q14b, Q18).
4. general level.
- "general commissions" were suspended by the Twentieth General Chapter both in makeup and in function till now. The "ad hoc" committee has a proposal for the animation of the various sectors of congregation life and activity from the aspect of the general councilor responsible for the sector (Q15, Q17).
- "general councilor": what kind of competency does he have for the provinces committed to his care? What role should he fulfill in a geographic zone? In a district found in his geographic zone?
- "superior general" what kind of authority over the appointment of individual religious for work at services of the general curia should be granted him? What kind of authority should he be given to accomplish "Congregational projects decided by a General Chapter? (Q16).
5. The Congregation and its units
New international groupings or units need to be looked at from the aspects of:
- Their belonging as "a part of the Congregation" whenever they perform a "project of the Congregation". This is the foundation for "the belonging of native religious" to their own native structure (Q19).
- Their "representation at General Chapters", along the lines of new criteria for adequate representation of numerical minorities and new structures (Q20), There are several alternatives proposed in the text.
- Recognition of their "assemblies" and their "particular directories" (Q21-22).
IV. Executive Procedures. (Cf. Text, C. Managerial or Executive Part)
- A way of proceeding to establish new structures for developing situations and for dealing with fusion/confederation of declining situations is described.- The criteria and anticipated requirements (Cf. text, B. Propositional Part) should be looked at as a "framework" for any new foundations arising and any old provinces declining. The observations are non intended as an "enclosure" in which to coop up and limit all the possibilities. What works in one place may not work in another; what may be valid for a new and growing foundation may not be valid for a declining province.
- To promulgate ad experimentum means to try out the new structures and forms of government before any final decision is made about their suitability for that particular situation.