Life of the Congregation (1)

Half way through his mandate as General Bursar, Fr Graziano Sala, shares a reflection on some issues dealt with during the 2011 General Chapter, concerning economy of communion.
After visiting a good number of communities and meeting many bursars, we can say that this new style is taking hold. The construction of two seminaries (Thailand and India) and the enlargement of the seminary of Adiapodoumé, showed the fruits of this perspective. 
We need to go back to the roots of handling of administration of resources and of the economy in order to understand that these are not fruitless and meaningless issues, but they concern everybody in a decisive way and not only those called to carry out the service of administration …

Speaking of money and administration may seem to be a fruitless and tedious exercise, in a period strongly marked by economic fragility that especially in Europe and in the western world in general, is taking on alarming proportions.

And when it is a religious - who is supposed to be doing something else - who puts forward these reflections...!

Yet, always, at all times, in all life conditions (famine, war and poverty but also prosperity and plenty) our brothers who came before us, spent a lot of time & energy to reflect on, clarify and orientate the issue of economy in the religious life.

Do not worry: my intention is not to write a treatise on poverty. This is not my aim. For an exhaustive study on this issue you can read our Rule of life: in its latest and final version, it shows in theological and practical ways the road our religious family is called to travel.

My aim here is only to draw a few guidelines in order to re-orientate our outlook on the use of the money.

The latest General Chapter (2011) reminded us that the foundation of a healthy administration, is not based on the logic of the macro-economy, but on the sequela Christi. St Paul reminds us: “although He was rich, he became poor for your sake, so that you by his poverty could become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).
That’s true… But what does it mean in practice?

In the symposium organised by the Congregation of Consecrated life and Societies of Apostolic Life on March 7-8, Pope Francis had welcomed the participants with these words:
“Fidelity to the founding charism and to the subsequent spiritual heritage, together with the purpose proper to each Institute, remain the first criteria for evaluating the administration, management and all of the work carried out in the Institutes at every level.”

And further down: “The Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life have always been a prophetic voice and living witness to the newness which is Christ, of conformation to the One who made himself poor so that we might become rich by his poverty. This loving poverty is solidarity, sharing and charity and is expressed in moderation, in the quest for justice and in taking joy in the essential, so as to guard against the material idols which blur the authentic meaning of life. Theoretical poverty is not needed, but rather the poverty that we learn by touching the flesh of the poor Christ, in the humble, in the poor, in the sick, in children.”

That is why when we speak of economy and management, this means for us:

• At a personal level: to live with transparency and honesty (esp. economic) the choice made. Accounting for the money received and spent (giving reasons), always remains the concrete way to express not in theory but in practice, the primacy of communion and solidarity. This means renouncing a form of independence and autonomy in order to live a “mutual dependence”. While examining one’s conscience these questions cannot fail to be there: how have I spent the money the community has put at my disposal? Have I accounted with honesty and transparency for the money received for my ministry and for other gifts received?
• At a community level: The management of the goods must take into account two principles: the goal of the mission of the community and the situation lived by the community. These two principles will regulate the ways the community manages the resources at its disposal. Practically speaking each decision of the community which is not in line with the mission entrusted to the community must be considered inappropriate, even if it appears good and legitimate. Each decision regarding the way to use the money that conflicts with the context in which we live, even if taken with all the necessary permissions (RoL 49; PC 13), risks becoming a counter-witness for the people to whom we are minister. In this field too, the community must not fail to ask questions: the choices we want to make (or we have already made), though they are good, are they in tune with the mission we have been entrusted with? Are we living a simple life? Are we attentive to the needs of the Region, of the Congregation, or we are worried only about ourselves?

Taking into account what I have just said, we must remember that the General Council, to fulfil the mandate of the General Chapter 2011, has carried out two tasks entrusted to it:

• For an economy of communion: in January 2014, with a decree of the Superior General, the “formation fund” was created. This fund, created thanks to the effort and contribution of the General Council, of the Regions and many Vicariates, is now a reality and it can support the formation of young religious in the Vicariates where finances are scarce. This fund has been created by optimising the return of the patrimony of the Congregation, without diminishing it. Of course there are steps to be taken for making use of this fund for those who are in need of it. The first is transparency in the accounts …
• For a greater honesty and transparency in the accounts: I state in advance that nobody (neither Superiors nor bursars) can interfere in a person’s conscience. Honesty and transparency cannot be imposed by anybody. There are instruments, though, that foster and favour these attitudes, in daily life. Submitting accounts regularly is one of these instruments, and the modus operandi is the actual implementation. The General Chapter had requested to put in place an on-line administrative system in order to help the bookkeeping at all levels: community, Vicariates, Regions and Congregation. This system has been active for two years! Thanks to the contribution of many religious, it has been corrected and improved and continues to be corrected and updated. I can say with a touch of pride, that a major milestone has been reached! Moreover, this instrument is an excellent guide to help every religious render account. Those who were appointed bursars must learn to use this system and must teach all religious communities how to do the accounts.

Finally I can’t forget that in recent days the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has published a paper specifically on administrative matters. The document entitled Guidelines on management of property in the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life affirms precisely a principle that consecrated persons are invited to take into account, namely the "evangelical dimension of the economy according to the principles of freedom, fraternity and justice, building the foundation for an evangelical economy of sharing and communion”...

Graziano Sala, scj
General Bursar