Revision of the Constitutions

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After some days of works, from 8 to 14 February 2015, the Marist International Commission for the Revision of the Constitutions sends to all Brothers of the Institute this communication that we copy here down. 

_________________

13^th February 2016

To Brothers Provincial, District Superiors and all Brothers of the Institute
From Members of the Marist International Commission for the Revision of the Constitutions

Dear Brothers,

We are writing to report on the second meeting of our Commission which was held from 8^th to 13^th February at the General House in Rome. 

The agenda of this second meeting focussed on: 

• Reviewing the written revision work completed since our first meeting last November on those sections of the Constitutions and Statutes that relate to the ‘normative’ elements. 
• Preparing an initial draft for the ‘inspirational elements’ section that relates to our identity, spirituality, life and mission as Marist Brothers.
• Agreeing on the basic structure and writing style of the new Constitutions document
• Deciding on what content and process will be presented for the consultation on the first early draft being sent to Administrative Units in May of this year.
• Allocation of the writing tasks of those sections yet to be written in preparation for the second complete draft that will be presented in early 2017.

Our experience of working through the agenda of this meeting helped us to see even more clearly the challenges, complexity and the large amount of work involved in revising our Constitutions. Our point of reference continues to be vast feedback provided by the Brothers in the first consultation process of 2015, and more recent Church and Institute documents. Since our last meeting more than two thousand contributions gathered from the feedback material have been entered into a database to provide ease of reference.

Our meeting with the General Council to report on our progress to date both affirmed and encouraged us to continue with the general direction this project is taking. Similarly, we are encouraged by the prayers and interest being shown by Brothers and lay Marist friends throughout the Institute. Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire and guide this important work.

Provincials and District Leaders can expect to receive the consultation materials on the first early draft in May 2016. It is expected that all Brothers will be invited to be involved in this consultation. It is up to Provincials and District leaders to decide how the consultation will be conducted; for example in individual communities, community clusters or a Province assembly. Brothers will have until September 2016 to return the feedback to the General Administration. The Commission plans to meet again in November 2016 to review the feedback received from the consultation and to work towards preparing the second complete draft. 

Yours in Jesus, Mary and Champagnat,

Members of the Commission:
Brothers Josep Maria Soteras (chair); Albert Nzabonaliba; Antonio Peralta; Eduardo Navarro; Tony Clark.