Encouraging co-responsibility
The General Council met from March 8 – 11 in Quito, Ecuador, with the provincial councils of the six Administrative Units of the Arco Norte region. Here is the chronicle of the last two days.
March 10
The third day’s Morning Prayer was motivated by the document on the religious brother titled Fraternity, a shared gift. Participants heard a few topics of the previous day and Brother Joe McKee presented an overview of the current status of the project of the New Communities La Valla200. Brother Antonio Ramalho then commented on the elaboration of the Global Framework of a Marist Vocational Process
for the Laity, which the General Council requested under the responsibility of the Secretariat of Laity.
To close the morning, Brother Josep Maria Soteras spoke about the work that has already been done regarding the revision of our Constitutions and the next steps to take, highlighting the different possible forms of associating with the charism and the Institute, as religious or as laity. Participants offered the contributions of their work done in different tables and at the plenary meeting.
In the afternoon, Brothers Eugène Kabanguka and Ernesto Sánchez presented and animated some dynamics of the aspect of the document that relates to Fraternity, a shared gift, highlighting the dimensions of mystery and spirituality in our lives. They offered a long period of silence,
They offered a long period of silence, as a journey into oneself, and then, separated into different working tables, they tried to provide innovative Marist life forms for the near future.
March 11
On the last day, time was allocated to reflect on the “Colloquium on Initial Formation,” held at the Hermitage last October, and particularly on some of its recommendations.
Seven round-tables discussed the main topics of the Extended General Council, providing an opportunity to delve into and to participate. The last session consisted of an open forum and an assessment of the meeting.
Br Emili concluded the work underscoring the quality of everyone’s welcoming and participation in order to create fraternity. The group showed great richness with the diverse experiences of the participants. He invited everyone to be animators that know how to summon, open dialogue and welcome, encouraging responsibility and creating a transformative dialogue.
Around 150 people took part and came from Ecuador’s Marist communities, to live a moment of sharing, celebrating the Eucharist and fraternity, providing cultural performances and sharing the table.