TASK FORCE ON MARIST IDENTITY

New Directions for Marist identity in Europe
TASK FORCE ON MARIST IDENTITY

A group of brothers named by the Provincials of Europe met in Xaudaró, Madrid on Sunday, July 18th to plan for implementing the action program approved in Aravaca, Madrid last November, at the conclusion of the General Council?s visit to the region of Europe: ?The objective of this task force will be to help deepen and better understand the identity of the brother and layperson as Marists.?

The group consists of Brothers Maurice Goutagny, chairman, from the Hermitage Province; Stephen Smyth, West Central Europe; Ernesto Tendero, the Iberian Province; Ventura Pérez, the Mediterranean Province; and Diamantino Duque of the Compostela Province, who was not able to attend. Brother Pedro Herreros, General Councilor and President of the Council?s Laity Commission also participated.

They developed a proposal calling for a ?plan for reflection, animation, and accompaniment for procedures and activities considered helpful for opening up new directions for identity and revitalizing those already chosen.? This proposal, which includes holding a ?European forum on the identity of the brother and layperson as Marists,? will be introduced at the European Provincials? meeting scheduled for this September.