The objectives of the General Council take concrete form

The General Council has just finished approving and making public its Plan of animation and government for 2009-2017. The work of programming and co-ordination has finally borne fruit. The methodology of analyzing needs, sharing initiatives and co-ordinating implementation requires time and patience.

The plan proposes eight objectives: Encourage the development of the “Marian face” of the Church; promote in the Institute a participative style of leadership; accompany discernment in the AUs and regions; foster in the Brothers a rediscovery of the enthusiasm and joy of their vocation; come up with a/o accompany new forms of living the Marist charism and promote the development of the lay Marist vocation; continue developing the Marist mission, with a greater presence among poor children and young people, promoting the defence of their rights; promote a better understanding and appreciation of intercultural living and internationalism; provide continuity to promoting and applying the “Evangelical use of goods” and the exercise of solidarity at all levels of the Institute.

The“Action Plan of the General Administration” was drawn up to facilitate the attainment of these objectives by co-ordinating and integrating the efforts of the various sections of the   General Administration.

During the plenary session, the General Council made some appointments for the service of the General Administration. Some Brothers were appointed for a second three year term: Antoni Salat (L’Hermitage), Director of the General House; Javier Ocaranza (México Occidental), responsible for the Treasury and other management services of the General House; Edward Clisby (New Zealand), English language translator. In addition, Brother  Antonio Martínez Estaún (L’Hermitage) has had his mandate as Director of Communications prolonged for 4 months, until 31 December 2011.

Last year, Brother Giovanni Bigotto (Madagascar) completed his service as Postulator General, after a rich period of animation and such significant events as the Beatification of the martyrs of Spain. He was replaced provisionally by Brother Juan Miguel Anaya, who united this role with his responsibilities as Procurator General. But Brother Juan Miguel has also completed his 9 years of excellent service to the Institute. Accordingly, the General Council has decided to manage these two tasks in a different way.

For the services traditionally carried out by the Postulator General, the Council will find the best person qualified as soon as a cause needs to be prepared and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. The service of animation and diffusion of the lives of our saints will be taken over by the Bureau of Brothers today.

For the main responsibilities attached to the office of the Procurator General, the Council has appointed Brother Franco Faggin (Mediterránea) as agent to represent the Institute with the Holy See, as from 1 September 2011, for a period of three years. Brother Juan Miguel Anaya (Mediterránea) will continue as canonical consultant of the General Council for the next three years. Since neither of these tasks requires residence in Rome, the Brothers can carry them out from wherever their Provincial may assign them.

To prepare for the next General Conference, to be held in September 2013 at the Hermitage, a Commission has been set up consisting of Brothers Joe Mc Kee (co-ordinator), Michael de Waas, Óscar Martín Vicario (Compostela), Ernesto Sánchez, Emili Turú and Pedro Sánchez de León (Secretary). The Commission will meet for the first time in October in Rome.

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