Oceania Region meets to discuss future plans

The Oceania region held three meetings in Auckland, New Zealand, in August to reflect on the future structure of the region and to obtain closer collaboration regarding local issues.

The Combined Administrative Unit Councils, which includes the three administrative units of Oceania – Australia, Melanesia and the Pacific – gathered from Aug. 19 – 2, after having met separately.

The provincial superior of Australia, Brother Peter Carroll, underscored that “there was an honest discussion of the fragilities and strengths of each administrative unit and despite the cultural and geographic differences, many of these are quite similar.”

“There was discussion about various models and while a preference was expressed for a single unit in the region, no detailed plans about structures, processes or time frames were canvassed,” he added. “Our discernment will continue.”

The Oceania regional coordinator, Brother Kevin Wanden, encourages all of the Brothers of Oceania to contact him by Sept. 8 with their opinions on the restructuring process at [email protected].

The other two meetings of the region included that of the Oceania Council on Aug. 21, and that of the College of Leaders, on Aug. 21.

The Oceania council discussed the various bicentenary celebrations that will be held in each administrative unit, and was updated on the progress of the Oceania Region, as part of the New Models of Animation, Governance and Management.

The council also discussed two initiatives on education and administration and the ‘Edges’ initiative, which seeks to explore new areas of Marist life and mission across the region in response to the call of the Institute and Pope Francis.