austraLasia
1512
Salesian
Cooperators - not so subtle changes
ROME:
31st March 2006 -- This coming November will see the major ASC event
of the century - the first World Congress of the century (there will be other
major events yet to come) in Rome. It is not just another meeting.
The worldwide Association of Salesian Cooperators is very much on the move, and
November's meeting will stamp the Association with its project of life for the
millennium we are now well into.
It is good to watch
changing terminology, because it is often a hint to much deeper changes going
on. Anybody who has had anything to do with the Salesian Cooperators would
know of the RAL or Regulations of Apostolic Life. And here is the first
hint of major change. You might like to take a look at the Bosconet
Cooperator's page (you can navigate there from the homepage at
www.bosconet.aust.com easily enough under EAO Resources). The old RAL are
still there, but please note that from November, or at least from the time the
Rector Major as the Superior of the Association approves the changes, RAL will
no longer exist. Its place will be taken by two fundamental items which
will, together, make up the PAL or Project of Apostolic Life. This PAL is
explicated in a set of Statutes (Salesians can read 'Constitutions') and
Regulations, thus bringing things into line with the other two major branches of
the Salesian Family, and in fact also in line with the general trend in
societies of apostolic life. Both Statutes and Regulations for the PAL are
available at the top of the page referred to.
There will
no longer be a 'World Consulting Body'; this will now become a World
Council. Consultative or Advisory Council groups now exist at Regional
level (e.g. the EAO Advisory Council) or in a Province, but there as the
Provincial Advisory Council for the Salesian Family which includes ASC but not
only. It would be best to drop the term 'consulta' in English, as it is
not English! Of course it is useful for in-house reference, but since the
Cooperators live in the world amongst the rest of God's billions of beloved
beings, many of whom speak English, it would help to use terms they will
understand.
The important thing for Salesians, and Sisters
at this stage since together they are responsible for the animation of the ASC,
is to read and become familiar with these two new documents. They are very
readable. The translation has been achieved with much care and
consultation amongst ASC members directly involved in the management of the
Association in English-speaking areas - in particular the world
English-speaking representative, Marlene Frederick, from the USA, and the EAO
Regional Councillor Philip Yu from Hong Kong. There may be minor changes
as a result of the November World Council Meeting, but the die is virtually cast.
GLOSSARY
the die is (virtually) cast: A die is a mould used
for shaping metal
____________________________
AustraLasia is an email
service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as
an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to
www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml