The Path of the Revision of the Constitutions

 

In the 2007 – 2013 Term

1. The Meaning of the Constitutions in Our Life

They express today the meaning of the charism given to Francis of Assisi and codified in the approved Rule;

They are an actual re-writing of the Rule, a synthesis of the original charism and the reality of today;

Reality is in constant change, so the synthesis must be re-done often;

This current synthesis is vitally important because it involves our prophetic role in the contemporary world.

2. The Reasons for Revision

The General Chapter of 2007 approved a motion asking that a systematic revision of the Constitutions be begun:

The work of a systematic revision of the current Constitutions should be undertaken.

The Chapter asks the Minister General and his Definitory to form an Ad Hoc Commission which will present its work either at the ordinary General Chapter of 2013 or at an Extraordinary General Chapter during the term.

Motivations:

A.The insertion of the theological and ecclesial perspectives on religious life developed in the last several decades;

B.The need to include in the Constitutions cultural expressions from the countries in which the Order is present today;

C.The necessity to resolve some clear lacunae in the current Constitutions;

D. The difficulty of friars from Latin America, Asia, and Africa to recognize themselves in the current Constitutions.

Conditions:

The participation of all the friars is necessary for us to arrive at a definition regarding how to live our religious life well in the contemporary world

Only the friars living in a particular cultural context are able to express how the charism is incarnated and expressed in that reality

Therefore the friars must be sensitized to involve themselves in the revision of the Constitutions

3. The Objectives of the Revision Process

1. Clearly and evidently ground new Constitutions on the Rule

2. Give the new Constitutions a strong ecclesial dimension

3. Make of the Constitutions a useful instrument for inculturation in diverse parts of the world

4. Make the task of revision an opportunity for continuing formation for all the friars of the Order

4. The Instruments of Revision

1. The International Commission for the Revision of the Constitutions (CIRC)

2. The Executive Committee for the Revision of the Constitutions (CERC)

3. The involvement of friars in study and research

4. Reference points in the Order’s Provinces and Custodies

The International Commission:

Composition:- The Executive Committee- 7 representatives from Conferences and Federations-3 nominations by the General Curia

Yearly meetings (4 during the term)

Several changes in personnel during the term

Original members: fr. Hernan Varas Toledo, fr. Carlo Vecchiato ,fr. Bonaventure Mpasa

New nominess: fr. Bernardo Commodi, fr. Joseph Ntumbila, fr. Joseph Blay

The Executive Committee:

Generally monthly meetings (39 times Novembre 2008- December 2012)

fr. Victor Mora of the Provincial Delegation of Costa Rica added March, 2011

Currently 6 members

5. The Work of These Years

2009:

a)Preliminary studies regarding social, ecclesial, and Order situations;

b)Critical analysis of the 6 chapters of the current Constitutions. Synopses of the contributions;

c) Commissioning of research studies on the Order’s identity for Chapter One;

d) A first hypothetical structure of the revised Constitutions: the chapter on formation should become Chapter Five.

The Revision of the Constitutions

Work Done in 2009

2010:

a)Compilation of c. 30 research studies on Chapter One, subdivided in the following categories:

- Rule, Constitutions, Franciscan charismatic dimensions;

- Experience of the incarnation of the charism in diverse cultural, social, political, and geographical contexts;

- Particular personal or communal experiences of the charism. b) The decision for a

revision that retains whatever is valid, updates whatever is dated, adds whatever is missing, and changes whatever has been rendered obsolete by time, history, or the development of the Order.

c) The decision to organize study days at the Conference or Federation level on the themes of identity and Conventualism

d) The decision to have every jurisdiction name a Definitory member to serve as:

- a communications link between the General Curia, the International Commission, the Executive Committee, and the jurisdiction- local contact for the revision process;- promoter of the friars’ involvement;- delegated animator for the topic

2011:

a)Study days at Seraphicum and in the Latin American Federation on the topics of the Order’s identity and Conventualism;

b)The African Conference conducted a survey on Conventualism for the friars in formation in Nairobi and Lusaka. The same occurred for the friars in formation in Pematangsiantar, Indonesia;

c) The selection of research topics concerning the life of union with God;

d) In agreement with the General Secretariate for Formation, the selection of research topics concerning formation

e) The decision to retain the idea of a spiritual introduction to each chapter, which would treat St. Francis, the history of the Order, and contemporary challenges;

f) The need for further study regarding which norms can be moved to the Statutes and which must remain in the Constitutions;

g) The decision that Chapter One be entitled The Evangelical Life of the Friars, but that it be re-ordered to speak first of the profession of the Rule, then the profession of vows;

h)That the chapter on formation contain only the essential and unchanging elements of the formation program, and to move to Franciscan Discipleship anything subject to rapid changes.

2012:

a) The preparation of two drafts of the spiritual introduction to Chapter One and one draft of the text of Chapter One

b) The examination of the drafts during the annual meeting of the International Commission noted the need for a better connection of the spiritual introduction to the subsequent articles

c) Analysis of the draft reopened the discussion regarding the scope of revision of the Constitutions: a simple touch-up, a complete re-write, or a systematic revision

d) Sought the collaboration of other friars for the production of a video/advertisement on the revision of the Constitutions

e) A study day on the theme of the life of union with God was held at the Seraphicum

f) The process of a communications link with each jurisdiction was launched

g) Continued discussion on the themes of life of union with God and formation

h) The preparation of the reports of the InternationalCommission and ExecutiveCommittee to the General Chapter of 2013

5. Sensitizing the Friars

There have been numerous initiatives to sensitize the friars regarding the revision of the Constitutions. The major ones include

1.House Chapter discussion guides for 2009

2.Creation of an e-mail adress for the friars feedback: constitutiones@ofmconv.org (password: placet)

3.A publicity campaign

4. Creation of a page on the Order’s website

5. The production of an annual PowerPoint presentation

6. The invitation of the MinisterGeneral to all the friars and to the Ministers to address the theme of the revision of the Constitutions

6. Study days on the theme in Conferences and Federations

8. The preparation of surveys for African and Asian formation houses

9. Formational and informational gatherings

10.The publication of the proceedings of two study days regarding the revision of the Constitutions.

11.The publication of a popular text on the Constitutions

Time will tell the impact of these initiatives on the friars.

Next Steps for Sensitizing:

In addition to what has already been started other possibilities are envisioned. They include:

A.The production of prayer resources to offer the friars the possibility of accompanying with prayer our common commitment to renew our life

B.The preparation of some House Chapter guides for 2013

6. The General Chapter of 2013

The International Commission and Executive Committee are committed to:

offer a synthesis of the work done in these years;

offer a self-evaluation of the experience;

prepare a motion to be included in the Instrumentum Laboris;

offer methodological and concrete suggestions regarding timing for the continuation of this work after the General Chapter.