8th October, 2006

THE THIRD MAN

When I was growing up I understood only one meaning to the word ‘chapter’ – it was a division in a book. As I grew older I learned that all sorts of organisations, from trade unions to the klu klux klan, had ‘local chapters’. When I joined religious life I learned of another meaning for the term – it referred to the meetings that were held regularly, either at provincial or general level, to discuss important matters relating to our way of life. They are also the occasions on which our provincial or general superiors and their councils are elected. And, as they are the ones responsible for assigning religious to various ministries and locations, what happens at chapters can have a very direct effect on the lives of all our religious.

As many of you are aware, but perhaps some aren’t, our parish here at St. Joseph’s is in the care of St. Patrick’s Province of the Passionist Congregation. As it happens, our General Chapter is at present taking place in Rome, where our international headquarters are situated. Among the issues being discussed at the moment is that of ‘restructuring’ – which is a variously understood, and misunderstood, term. Broadly speaking it refers to our need to face up to the reality that the huge changes that are taking place in society are also being reflected in our own Congregation.

Among the more obvious changes is the fact that our traditional strong sources of vocations – Italy, Spain, USA, Northern Europe – are experiencing a major decline in numbers, while other areas, in Asia, Africa and South America, are sometimes having difficulty coping with the number of applicants. For instance, in Indonesia at present we have forty six novices and students, and the average age of the 136 religious there is just thirty-five years. This contrasts with St. Patrick’s Province, where we have at present no novices or students, and the average age of our 67 religious is sixty nine years. (I’m a mere child!)

It makes sense, then, that we rethink our tradition of running our Provinces largely independently, and be more flexible in assigning our resources – personnel, finances, etc. This is the kind of issue that comes under the heading ‘restructuring’, that is being discussed in Rome. But in St. Joseph’s we’re not given too much to talk – we like to get things done! And so we’ve jumped the gun, and have already decided to ‘internationalise’ our community.