CHILE. Upon finalizing the International Congress of the Schoenstatt Fathers in Germany, the newly elected leadership traveled to Chile to have its first working session. At the beginning of November, the crew of the magazine VINCULO interviewed the first councilor, Fr. José María García, on the Congress of the Schoenstatt Fathers. A second part of the interview (published in VINCULO, December 2009) is in regard to the centennial of the Covenant of Love (this will be published later in a separate article).
In August and September, the General Congress of the Schoenstatt Fathers took place in Germany. What is the aim of a Congress within the community?
The Father and Founder saw our congresses as moments for stating the great voices of God…..in the interior of the community as in the exterior…..in the scope of the Schoenstatt Family, the Church and society. It is not a time for governing decisions – that is what the general chapters are for – rather, it is a time of reflection with the Spirit, searching and interpreting the signs from the God of life.
With exception, a part of the General Leadership for the Fathers was elected at this Congress. In the 2003 Chapter, the General Superior and the one in charge of the courses were elected – the “free communities” – for twelve years and the remaining councilors for six. Now the councilors were elected for a new term of six years. In the Schoenstatt Institutes, the General Leadership is elected for a period of twelve years. There are established opinions which consider twelve years too long of a term. We asked the Holy See for permission to make this partial experience. This experience will have to be evaluated at the next General Chapter in 2015.
Which were the most important topics discussed?
Thematically, we concentrated on the life of the community of the Fathers in the context of the times. At this time, we highlighted five basic areas:
Priesthood
The priesthood, starting with Father’s centennial and also from the crisis experienced in the priesthood today and added to the Year for Priests. How Father Kentenich presents a model of priesthood for the Church today, how we experience it and how we embody it.
Fraternity
Fraternity which is something very strong in us from the father-child relationship. Guaranteed fraternity and as fruitfulness from that relationship. A strong desire of today’s man is how to live fraternity. It is a challenge to live fraternity, solidarity, unity and federation beyond what is purely spiritual or affective.
Inculturation
Inculturation: how to maintain an intercultural dialog – which until now has predominantly been between Germans and Latinos – with the presence of other cultural environments (British and Slav), with new rich areas as those represented by our brothers from India and Africa (Nigeria, Burundi, Congo). A dialog which will enrich the lives of all in all areas where we develop our project of community.
Today there are more that 40 Indian Fathers within a total of 320; a large community which continues growing as well as in the mentioned African countries.
Formation and education
The permanent formation and education of the Fathers.
Profile the charisma of Father
Profiling within ourselves the charisma of Father as a contribution toward the Family and the Church.
Source: Vínculo 12/2009, Chile
