A REPORT ON THE CALCUTTA PROVINCE CONGREGATION (20.01.07 to 23.01.072)

 

     On Saturday 20 January 2007 in the evening 48 delegates of the Calcutta Province converged on Dhyan Ashram for the opening of the Province Congregation. 51 delegates (40 elected, 6 ex officio and 5 nominated) were scheduled to turn up, but three could not make it: Fr. Joseph Maliyekal, in hospital after an accident, Fr. André Bruylants, indisposed, Fr. Gaston Roberge, away in Canada. The assembly (average age 55.9) bore a slightly senior look compared with the 2002 one (53.2).  

     It started with a fine prayer service in the Milanmela chapel, animated by the novices. A first session was held before supper: It was taken mostly with procedural matters. Frs. Cyril Desbruslais and Etienne Degrez were elected secretaries. Frs. Pierre Jacob and Charles Pollet were elected deputies for screening the postulates.

 

    A Province Congregation preceding a General Congregation is called for mainly three purposes:

1. _   To receive and discuss a report on the State of the Province by Fr. Provincial

2. –  To decide on the postulates to be sent either to the General Congregation or to Father General.

3.–   To elect an Elector who will go with Fr. Provincial to the General Congregation, and two substitutes.

 

1.    -  FR. PROVINCIAL’S REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE AND DISCUSSIONS

     On the 21st morning Fr George Pattery, Provincial, gave his report on the State of the Province, giving an overview of our ministries, and pointing out areas of hope and concern. (A copy of the report is being enclosed for our communities).

    The House was then invited to react with questions and comments. Some key issues were then selected for a more elaborate exchange: 1.- Our rural apostolate in the Santal and Bengali area, 2.- Quality education, 3. – Quality of life and space for God in our life, 4. – Lay partnership, 5. – Globalisation, 5. – Our Bangladesh apostolate.

 

2. – EXAMINATION OF POSTULATES 

The postulates were discussed on the afternoon of the 22nd and on the 23rd. Before the start of the Province Congregation, six postulates had been submitted, to which twelve more were added later. Out of these 18 postulates, six were approved by the Congregation. 

     Postulates No. 1 to 5 are sent to the General Congregation; postulate No. 6 to Fr. General

     The text of those that were approved follows

 

POSTULATE 1 (to the General Congregation)

 

Based on the Gospel values, on the stress of Vatican II on the dignity of the human person (GS Chap. 1), on the universal sense of equality emerging in the world and on the fact that all of us share in one and the same Jesuit vocation, this Provincial Congregation recommends that

  1. the distinction of grades be abolished
  2. All formed members be eligible for responsibilities of government in the Society.

 

Reasons for:

  1. So that all the members of the Society may perceive that they belong to the one and same body and all be given equal rights and opportunities to grow in their respective vocation.
  2. So that our way of life may be a more credible witness to non-discrimination and equality to the Society at large.
  3. Government in a religious congregation requires spiritual qualities and human skills. It has nothing to do with ordination which is a ministry or service. Thus any person, priest or brother, who has the required qualities and skills could be considered for government.

 

Reasons against:

  1. Reconsideration of the grades involves a discussion on the Formula of the Institute which cannot be changed without the consent of the Holy See
  2. Amending the juridical system of government touches Canon Law where, in clerical congregations brothers cannot be appointed as superiors.

 

POSTULATE 2 (to the General Congregation)

 

Reaffirming the Society’s commitment to promote faith that does justice, we earnestly urge GC 35 to devise/create effective strategies and structures to counter the adverse effects of globalization, and to take a strong stand on behalf of the indigenous people displaced from their natural resources and alienated from their cultures. It will maximise our effectiveness if we associate with other groups and people of good will.

 

Reasons:

ü    Increasingly, Jesuits at all levels, are also being affected by the phenomenon of globalization - in our personal and community life, ministries and the way we approach and manage our apostolic works.

ü    Most decisions are made by a few rich nations (G8 countries) without giving due respect to the values of democracy, sovereignty and human rights.

ü    The resources of the poorer nations are used to maintain high level of affluence by the rich nations.

ü    Access to high technology enables outsourcing of natural and intellectual resources with unjust low remuneration.

ü    Maximization of profit has become the sole point of reference in market based economy; consequently persons are devalued and treated as commodities.

ü    Large numbers of indigenous people are displaced from their own land for setting up industries and mega projects. In India alone, around 50 million people have so far been displaced, majority of whom have not been properly rehabilitated.

ü    Onslaught on eco system has lead to global warming and other ecological imbalances.

 

POSTULATE 3 (to the General Congregation)

 

This Congregation requests that, when discussing collaboration and association with the laity, a positive consideration be given also to the development of such collaboration with non-Catholics, non-Christians and people of good will as well.  Guidance and orientations are expected.

 

          Reasons:

 

  1. The opening paragraph of d. 13 (GC34) squarely places the decree in the context of the ‘Church of the Laity’ (with a resolutely Christian phraseology: baptism, Kingdom, apostolate, etc), which makes it difficult to apply in a different religious context and culture.
  2. There are signs that non-Catholic Christians are attracted by Ignatian spirituality (and are making the Spiritual Exercises): Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Lutherans.
  3. Similarly there are ‘Ignatian inspired persons’ [356], even among non-Christians, who would be willing to develop a degree of close collaboration. This seems to be particularly the case in the educational and social fields.  In India the ‘Ignatian Pedagogical Process’ was an eye opener in this regard.

 

POSTULATE 4 (to the General Congregation)

 

We request the GC-35 to reaffirm the Society’s commitment (GC 34, decree 20, No 430) to promote international awareness about the degradation of the environment, and to encourage pertinent local actions against the root causes, such as human greed, consumerism in response to our conscientiousness to be stewards and co-creators (Theology of creation and eco-spirituality) with concern towards the future generation through sustainable development. This new awareness should move us towards greater frugality, also in our manner of living both personally and in our communities.

 

Reasons:

1.  The excellent study made at the request of Fr. General and published under the title of

     “We live in a Broken World” did not seem to have the impact it should have

     had. Its recommendations should receive the backing of an authority such as a General

     Congregation.

2.  All scientific studies in recent times (on climate, water, forest, pollution in its various

     forms) lead to the view that the situation is worsening.

3.  It is already clear that the resources of the earth will never be able to sustain for all

     men and women a type of life style as is prevalent in some developed countries.

 

POSTULATE 5 (to the General Congregation)

 

          We request that the General Congregation, while discussing community life in the Society, give due consideration to the needed renewal of its liturgical life, in particular the Eucharist and Prayer in common.

To sustain this renewal it is essential that more attention be given to liturgy in the Society’s formation curriculum.

 

Reasons:

  1. Vatican II’s new understanding of the Eucharist central place in the life of any Christian community has not been fully assimilated in the Society. 
  2. No renewal in community life is really possible if we do not have a close look at the way we pray together.  (cfr. the call of the Loyola meeting of Provincials)
  3. The two meetings of Jesuits liturgists (and the ‘International Jungman Society’) have called our attention to our serious shortcomings in liturgical life and formation.
  4. The recent letter of Fr General on the Eucharist calls our attention to the same problem.
  5. Liturgical formation does not receive the attention it deserves.
  6. To sustain this renewal it is essential that more attention be given to liturgy and homelitics in the Society’s formation.

 

 

POSTULATE 6  (to Father General)

 

In accordance with the perpetual nature of the first vows, Fr General be requested to prevail upon the JCSA to reconsider the decision and practice, recently introduced, of dismissing Brothers and Scholastics who fail certain academic examinations.

 

Reasons:

1.  Sending away scholastics after the Juniorate solely because they fail a Juniorate exam,

     or the Assistancy Standard English Test or the English language entrance test for

     Philosophy undermines the seriousness of the commitment made.

2.  The first vows imply a commitment for life on the part of the one who takes the vows.

     He takes the vows more because God calls him and he responds by taking the vows

     than for his academic capability. This commitment should be evaluated by the Major

     Superior concerned, in the exclusive forum of the “Cura Personalis” .

3.  Having recourse to the promise to join the Society if and when found fit to justify the 

     dismissal does not seem to be valid.

4.  The assessment intellectual ability has to be made before granting the first vows.

5.  This decision is against the Society’s law which forbids the dismissal of Scholastics or Brothers except for a serious reason.

 

     Postulates that were not approved by the Province Congregation dealt with the following topics: amendments in the Formula of the Province Congregation; reduction in the number of delegates to a General Congregation; status of the General Postulator; ‘de-localisation’ of the Superior General’s Curia; expression of gratitude for benefactors; support to displaced persons, especially indigenous persons; sharing of resources and restructuring of boundaries between the provinces of North, central and N.E. India; new statement on the Brothers’ vocation; spiritual formation of scholastics; interreligious dialogue, especially with Muslims;  link with lay associates.

     The fact that these were not approved for sending up to the General Congregation or to Fr. General does not imply that the topics were regarded as being of minor importance.

 

ELECTION OF THE PROCURATOR AND TWO SUBTITUTES

     On the 22nd of January in the evening, after a time of prayer, the election of the Elector and of two subtitutes was held. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy was elected Elector, and Frs. Felix Raj and Charles Pollet 1st and 2nd substitutes.

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE PROVINCIALS’ MEETING AT LOYOLA

Most of this evening session on the 23rs dwelt on a very personal and moving exchange on our community life, pointing out some of our shortcomings, but also emphasising the very deep communion of heart and mind that underlies our day to day interactions, binding us among ourselves and with our predecessors.

 

After supper, the delegates departed with a renewed spirit .to their communities and missions