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          Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists)

M.G.M.: General Chapters 2002


     The General Chapters are meeting from September 4th through the 24th, 2002 in their Mixed General Meeting (MGM) at the Generalate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Via Aurelia 476, Rome.

     The present page of our web site gives descriptive commentaries on the meeting of the General Chapters, slightly different for each language and updated several times a week. These commentaries are cumulative: the later ones added after the first ones. Click here to go to these commentaries and here to see the latest reports.

     In another section, the decisions made by the M.G.M. are shown in relation to its Program. The decisions are shown in red.  The chronological treatment of the points, however, does not necessarily follow the numerical order of the program. To see what decisions have been made, click here.

 


1. DESCRIPTIVE COMMENTARIES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE MGM 2002

The General Chapters opened on the morning of September 4 with several preliminary announcements and a long introduction to the electronic systems for translating and voting.

1. Wednesday, September 4

In the first morning session, after several important announcement, the first vote was taken. It was to give voting rights to our former Abbot General, Dom Ambrose Southey. Another vote approved giving voting rights to the nun councilors of the Abbot General in the General Chapter of Abbesses.

Nominations were made for the Vice-promotrix of the General Chapter of Abbesses. At the afternoon session, Mother Marion of Crozet, Virginia, U.S.A., was elected. Since she had been the third member of the Coordinating Commission, an additional election was necessary to fill her place. Mother Benedict of Berkel, Netherlands, was chosen for this.

A Mass to the Holy Spirit was celebrated at the end of the morning, a schedule which will be followed throughout the Chapter. In this opening Eucarist, Abbot General Dom Bernardo presided and gave the homily. He began by saying, "More than a mere coincidence, to me it seems providential that at the beginning of this Mixed General  Meeting the Lord Jesus tells us: 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also’ (Lk 4:43). The city in question is Rome, more precisely, at the house of the Christian Brothers. But more  importannt than the place are the people staying there: us, Cistercian monks and nuns gathered to listen to the Lord, discern his will and embrace it with unhesitating fervor.”. Further on he said, “Jesus's life is the way on which the disciple is to follow. Jesus the Master teaches us to think, feel, desire and act in accordance with the Kingdom, as He thought, felt, desired and acted.” The Abbot General ended by saying, “Brothers and sister, I, you, he, she, all of us are invited today to make this Mixed General Meeting a grace-filled event and Good New for our communities. In order for this to happen, now is the time to feel, think and decide according to the sentiments, thoughts and desires of the Lord Jesus.”

During the afternoon session several votes were taken. First, the election of the Councilors of the Abbot General was confirmed. Then the procedure proposed for the study of the House Reports was approved, as well as the setting up of a special, three-person committee to review the finances of the Order and of the Generalate. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to work in the Mixed Commissions, studying the House Reports assigned to them.

Thursday, September 5

The morning session was dedicated especially to hearing the report of the Canadian Region, read to the plenary session by its President, Dom Jacques of Mistassini. A lively dialogue followed, pinpointing especially the necessary simplification of structures in smaller communities, with the advantages and difficulites which this process brings with it.

The last part of the morning and all the afternoon was dedicated to work in the Mixed Commissions as they continue to study the House Reports.

Friday, September 6:

The work of the MGM moves on at a good rhythm at the end of the Roman summer with its warm weather and sudden showers. Most of today was dedicated to studying the House Reports in the mixed commissions. By now, the plenary session has seen the following points: voting rights for the councilors of the Abbot General (approved), limits to the voting rights for the absent brothers in each community (approved), prolonging the time during which a brother or sister who had been superior in a monastery where he had not originally made profession can decide where to make stability (prolonged to one year), the juridical process for receiving candidates from secular institutes or societies of apostolic life (approved), and whether the Father Immediate of a monks' monastery should delegate the Visitation to another abbot every six years (not approved).

Saturday, September 7:

The regional report of the Canadian Region was read this morning by its president, Dom Jacques of Mistassini. The resulting dialogue proved most enriching. Then the Abbot General gave an excellent conference on "precarious communities", with an analysis of what this word means and how to help such communities. A panel discussion followed, then a dialogue on the part of the whole assembly. It was decided that the theme is sufficiently important for more in-depth study in all the mixed commissions.

Sunday, September 8:

This is the 12th anniversary of the the election of Dom Bernardo as Abbot General. Together with a hearty round of applause, he received a floral bouquet, which he immediately passed on to his predecessor, Dom Ambrose Southey.

The morning session was taken up by the first of two conferences on the experience and values of young solemnly professed. It was given by Sister Marie-Pascale Dran, Central Secretary for Formation, and based on the replies to a questionnaire which these young professed recently received. Instead of a dialogue in plenary session, the Chapters went into their mixed commissions to discuss the conference and the experience of each community in this regard. The reports from the commissions on this point will be given after the second conference.

The Eucharist this morning was presided over by the one active Bishop of the Order, Eduard Mununu of Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who had been Titular Prior of our monastery of Kasanza, in the same diocese. He will be sharing the life of the General Chapters for 10 days, leaving after the Papal audience on September 16. The homily of the Mass was on fraternal correction, given by the president of the Sapnish region, Dom Marcos of Cardeña. In the afternoon, the mixed commissions continued their study of the House Reports.

Monday, September 9:

Monday began with the arrival of the Abbot Primate of the Benedictines, Dom Notker Wolf. He replied to Dom Bernardo's words of welcome by inviting us to a renewed listening to the heart through lectio divina, which he compared to chewing gum in order to draw out all its flavor. After referring to the difficulties the world -- even some people in the Church -- has with the contemplative life, he expressed his wish that our General Chapters be the occasion for new fire in our contemplative hearts. "It is by the sign of joy that you will witness to what you live, that is, Jesus Christ." 

The second event of the day was the reading the report from the Spanish Region, which described its history from its beginning in 1975 until today. The key element in its dynamic growth and healthy influence seems to have been its executive committee, especially its former president for many years: Dom Salvador of Sobrado. The crisis of vocations is affecting Spain, especially the nuns' houses. However, they all seem to have passed from being communities of observance to being communities of communion. After hearing the report, it is clear that Cistercian history, with several female communities having lived uninterruptedly since the twelfth century, is alive and well.

We then went to our respective commission to continue work on the House Reports.

Tuesday, September 10:

The morning was chiefly dedicated to hearing the second part of the report on new solemnly professed, which concerned the ways to help them in their difficulties and what has caused the departure of some. In this regard, the young professed are sensitive to the role of the community in their formation, the presence or absence of adequate communication, transparency and human relationships. There is more dialogue in the houses of nuns, who seem to offer more support to the young and a greater acceptance of their personal limitations. In many houses there does not seem to be adequate spiritual direction and accompaniment.

In connection with formation, there is need of a steady attention to adaptation and inculturation. This will always be necessary, especially in our rapidly changing world. It represensents a real challenge. However, it remains true that another real challenge is formation for solitude and silence.

The mixed commissions then met to discuss these issues and to offer further suggestions for the formation of the younger element in the Order. Once again, the afternoon was dedicated to the House Reports. We are nearing the end of this first part of the General Chapters.  Soon the work of the commissions will be shared in plenary session, and some conclusions drawn from it.

Wednesday, September 11:

We remembered today the tragedy of a year ago: the terrorist attack against the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. The Abbot General referred to this in his opening remarks at the morning session and Bishop Mununu did the same at the beginning of the Eucharist, which he presided at, as he does every day suring his visit with us.

After Dom Bernardo's words, we listend to the report of the mixeed commission which had studied the difficult situation of the community of La Clarté-Dieu, near Bukavu in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The commission thinks that it would be prudent to continue the present régime of a superior ad nutum for three more years. Meanwhile, the accent should be place on formation of the community as a whole and of the newly arrived candidates and novices, in particular. A pastoral visit of an African abbot or abbess could help the sisters to express their deepest desires for the future.

The plenary session continued with the presentation by Dom Gonzalo of Frattocchie of the possibilities for coordinating the mutual aid between monasteries of the Order, according to the last phrase of the new Statute on Temporal Administration in its n. 33.e: "Following the prescriptions of the Charter of Charity (7,4) when some houses of the Order are in need, the communities with more resources 'inflamed by the fire of charity, and according to their ability, from the goods which God has given them' should help them. The finance commission of the Order works with the Abbot General to coordinate this help." The dialogue on this point was intense, especially on the creation and administration of a fund, or simply an account, to ehlp the more needy houses of the Order. The deicisions on this will be made in a few days.

During the short afternoon session, before breaking up into commissions, the final votes were taken for the ommission to draw up a global vision of the Order based on the House Reports. The group will be composed of Mother Cecilia of Tenshien (Japan), Mother Martha of Gedono (Indonesia), Dom Marie-Gérard of La Trappe (France), Dom Germain of Koutaba (Cameroon) and Dom Bernardo of Novo Mundo (Brazil).

Thursday, September 12:

Today we heard reports from the communities of Marija-Zvijezda and Benaguacil, both of which have had a Superior ad Nutum for over 3 years, and are in a ‘precarious’ condition for different reasons. There are only three brothers at the monastery of Marija Zvijezda and there is little hope of vocations in Bosnia. The Catholics there are mostly Croatians, and they are situated just over the border with Croatia so there is some hope of vocations from there. Benaguacil is an ageing community of 15 members, situated in the South-East of Spain. The location of the abbey is not very attractive and unlikely to attract vocations.

The rest of the day was spent in the mixed commissions, finishing the house reports and discussing the questions of Extraordinary and Ordinary Procedure which were given to each commission. 

 Friday, September 13:

Today we were glad to have Mother Josephine-Mary, Prioress General of the Bernardines of Esquermes attend the MGM. She will be with us for some days.

The days work consisted mostly of  reports from the various mixed commissions on their discussions on the topic of the young solemnly professed. We took a break from the subject during the morning to hear the report on the Africa - Madagascar region. Of the 4280 monks and nuns in the order 450 of them are in this region (about 10.5%) and about 25% of those in formation in the order are from this region. A vote was taken to approve the African - Madagascar region; RAFMA and this was carried. In the afternoon we concluded the reading of these reports and a lengthy and fruitful exchange on the topic followed.

Saturday, September 14:

Today, on the Feast of The Exaltation of The Cross, we celebrated Cistercian Family Day. With us for the occasion were the Abbot President of the Congregation of San Bernardo in Italy; the Abbess President of the Congregation of San Bernardo in Spain (Las Huelgas); the Prioress General of the Bernardines of Esquermes; the Prioress General of the Bernardines of  Oudenaarde and Mr. & Mrs. Ambrosetti, representatives of the Cistercian Lay Associates. Each addressed the MGM briefly.

Abbot Luigi Rottini, representing the Order of Cistercians spoke of  “Our common gift of the charism of Cîteaux” and of our responsibility to sustain it. He ended by saying that “Truly, the same blood runs in our veins”. He hopes that we will someday eat at the same table without prejudice and he committed this aspiration to the care of Mary, Mother of .Cîteaux.

Paco Ambrosetti, representing the Lay Associates, asked for “a word of wisdom and encouragement for our endeavours to live the Cistercian charism in the world” In the discussion that followed, the interest in relations with the other Observance and in the issue of lay associates was apparent. (To read the text of the letter written by the Lay Cistercians to the General Chapters go to www.cistercianfamily.org/e-document11.asp )

In the second half of the morning Sister Augusta, Postulator, gave an account of the causes of the Saints of our Order.

Solemn mass was celebrated at the end of the morning, presided over by Dom. Bernardo. In his homily he asked : “What must we do in order that salvation will abound among us, Cistercians of the new millennium?” A “difference of opposition has prevailed during the last century and he added that “the moment has come to live out and emphasise ‘difference in complimentarity’, that is difference within the context of unity and unafraid of confusion or division.”

The first part of the afternoon was taken up with a presentation by Sr. Marie-Pascale on the “Observantiae” program as well as a report of her activities as Central Secretary for Formation. After the break Bishop Mununu of Kikwit, People’s Republic of Congo, spoke. He later presided at Solemn Vespers.

 Sunday, September 15:

The morning began with the presentation by the Abbot General of the first part of his paper “OUR YOUNG - AND NOT SO YOUNG - MONKS AND NUNS: Aspects of our monastic formation from an anthropological point of view”. The talk focused on “a few aspects of monastic formation from a simple anthropological point of view.” It deals firstly with a general description of today’s youth. Secondly it looks at the theme of affective maturity. Next is presented  a few ideas about personal autonomy and openness to relationship with others and it finishes by looking at the praxis, or meaningful activity, and the generativity proper to the young. The presentation was very well received and merits further careful study.

We then heard the general reports of three of the fifteen commissions on the houses they studied. After the break Mother Danièle gave a brief presentation on the election of the councillors of the Abbot General. The matter was then opened to the floor for discussion and this continued until just before the Sunday Eucharist. It also marked the end of the day’s work, since the afternoon was free.

Most recent reports

 

2. PROGRAM AND DECISIONS OF THE GENERAL CHAPTERS OF 2002                   

A. Preliminary Votes

  1.  Each General Chapter will vote to confirm the election of the members of the Council of the Abbot General who were elected by the MGM of 1999. (This confirmation was made by large majorities.)

  2.  Each General Chapter will vote on the text of the procedure for studying the House Reports. (Approved by large majorities.)

  3.  The MGM all together will vote on the choice of the procedure to use for the study of the finances of both the Order and the Generalate according to the following text:

  • We desire that a special ad hoc commission be established at the present MGM, composed of three capitulants experienced in financial management, to review the financial reports of the Generalate and of the Order. This commission, and not four of the working commissions, would report to the MGM with its assessment and recommendyations.

  • (This ad hoc commission was approved and its members chosen: Dom Armand of Scourmont in Belgium, Mother Myriam of Laval in France and Mother Rosaria of Vitorchiano, Italy.  They recommended that the financial reports be approved, which they were.)


    • B. Study of the House Reports - by     the procedure established in n. 2, above    .  (The commissions have finished their study of these Reports and a "Global Vision" of the Order has been drawn up: an inspiring document which represents one of the high points of the MGM.)


    C. Questions treated by all the Mixed Commissions (Extraordinary Procedure):

  •   4.  Updating of the Constitutions. (A series of updates was approved.)
      5.  Nature of a Superior ad nutum. (Redefined in order that he or she be a major superior.)
      6.  Possibility of a Single Mixed General Chapter. (To be studied further in preparation for the next MGM.)
      7.  Young Solemnly Professed, with a report     by the Central Secretary for Formation.  (An outstanding conference by the Abbot General was followed by discussion in mixed commissions and a two-page response to the young professed of the Order.)
      8.  Separation from the World, based on answers to the Questionnaire on Enclosure.     (To be studied further in preparation for the next MGM.)

    •


    D. Questions treated by Four Mixed Commissions (Ordinary Procedure): 

  •   9.  Revision of the Statute on Foundations. (Accomplished.)
    10.  Revision of the Procedure for the Resignation of an Abbot or Abbess. (The procedure was harmonized, with both abbots and abbesses asked to present their resignation to the General Chapter when in session or, as most often happens, to the Abbot General.)
    11.  Revision of nn. 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the     Statute on the Regular Visitation. (Ability to be delegated for a Visitation was extended to former abbots and abbesses as well as to members of the Abbot General's Council. The Law Commission will revise the text accordingly.)

  •  
    •

    E. Questions voted on from a Working Paper, without discussion (Simplified Procedure):

  • 12. Voting rights of members of the Abbot General’s Council. (Approved.)
    13. Revision of ST 36.3.B (Voting rights of absent brothers or sisters: clarification approved).
    14. Revision of ST 39.2.B (Prolonging governance by a Superior ad nutum: clarification approved).
    15. Revision of ST 40.C (Time given to abbots and abbesses to choose stability
          after finishing their mandate in a house other than their original one: time extended to one year).
    16. Legislation for admitting a member of a Secular Institute or of a Society of Apostolic Life. (Approved.)
    17. Legislation for the change of a temporary professed to another monastery. (Approved.)
    18. Revision of nn. 13, 21 and 27 of the Statute on Temporal Administration.      (The present legislation will continue in force.)
    19. Revision of n.8 of the Statute on the Regular Visitation. (The present legislation will continue in force.)

    •


    F. Questions treated according to Special Procedures

    20. Reports on the Finances of the Order and of the Generalate, studied
          according to Vote n.3, above.     (Approved.)

    21. Proportional (pro rata) contributions of the Houses to the expenses of the Order.  (Approved.)  

    22. Application of the Statute on Temporal Administration as an expression of the Charter of Charity. (The beginning of a common fund for houses in need was approved.)

    23.  Approval of the RAFMA as a Mixed Regional Conference. (Approved.)

     

    G. Sharing of Information:

    24. Pastoral Service of the Abbot General and his Council   (Approved.)
    25. Activities of the Law Commission (Cf. Statutue of the L.C., 5.e: activities explained).
    26. Activities of the Central Secretary for Formation, including the Program of "Observantiae". (The activities and program were explained.)
    27. Activities of the General Postulator for the Causes of Saints. (Her activities were presented and approved.)
    28. Possible places for the next MGM.  (The next MGM will be held in Assisi.)


    H. Conferences and Panel Discussions:

    29. On an aspect of Formation (Abbot General) (Conferences given)
    30    . On the Evolution of the Regional Conferences (Spain)  (report given, followed by dialogue)
    31. On the Canadian Region (report given, followed by dialogue)
    32. On the Region of South and Western France (Report given)
    33. On the Region of Africa and Madagascar : RAFMA  (Report given)
    34. On "Superiors" (This panel took place, was warmly received and followed by discussion.)
    35. Presentation of a project to help communities in precarious situations (This presentation was made by the Abbot General, followed by a panel discussion and dialogue. The subject forms the basis for the important final document from the MGM : Vision of the Order, 2002 )
    I. Elections:

    36. Delegates of the Regions to the Central Commissions (presented and elected)
    37. Members of the Abbot General’s Council (finalized)
    38. Procurator General  (Dom Timothy Kelly of Gethsemani was elected.)
    39    . Members of the 2 Coordinating Commissions (All members reelected.)

     

    3. PROGRAMS OF THE SEPARATE GENERAL CHAPTERS

    A. Chapter of Abbesses 
              Preliminary:  Election of a Vice-promoter, at the beginning of the Chapter.
                                     (Mother Marion of Crozet, USA, was chosen.)

    1. Request from the community of Donnersberg for incorporation. (Approved as a foundation.)
    2    . Request for autonomy from the refuge of Clarté Dieu at Kibungo. (Approved.)
    3    . Review of the Acts of the Abbot General and his Council.  (Approved.)
    4    . Confirmation of the Acts of the General Chapter of 1999.  (Confirmed.)

    By a Special Procedure:

    5. Discernment of the communities with a Superior ad nutum for more than three years: Assomption, Benaguacil, Clarté Dieu. (The provisional continuation of this regime for these communities was approved.)


    B.     Chapter of Abbots 

  • 1. Request from Myrendal for Incorporation. (Incorporated as a Major Priory)
    2. Raising of Maromby to the rank of Major Priory.      (Approved.)
    3. Review of the Acts of the Abbot General and of his Council.  (Reviewed and approved.)
    4. Confirmation of the Acts of the General Chapter of 1999.     (Confirmed.)
    5. Report on the situation of the community of Dombes.      (Suppression approved.)
    6. Request of the community of Tegelen to become an Annex House of Echt.     (Approved in principle.)

    •

    By a Special Procedure:

    7. Discernement of the communities with a Superior ad nutum for more than three years: Marija Zvijezda. (The continuation of its present regime was approved.)

    8. Possible change of paternity for the community of Kasanza. (Provisionally assumed by Timadeuc.)

     

    4. PROCEDURE FOR STUDYING THE HOUSE REPORTS

    1.  The Commissions will be sensitive to the following points:

    a - The Superior's pastoral care of the community, e.g., care of the aged and infirm; care of those in formation.

    b - The available means used by the superior to assure his or her inner balance.

    c - How the community is facing certain challenges, such as ageing, increasing labor-demands, decreasing numbers, economic stability, etc.
     

    2.  Reading the Reports in Commission 

    2.1 - After having read and discussed the Reports, the Commission dialogues with the Superior. If more information is needed, they consult the Father Immediate and/or contact other members of the MGM who are familiar with the case in question. This will be done either in the presence or in the absence of the Superior of the House, according to the case.

     

    2.2 - If the procedure to acquire necessary information becomes too time-consuming, the Commission can establish a sub-group from among its own members to continue the work. The results will be brought back to the Commission. The Commission will offer encouragement and, if necessary, suggestions to the Superior and/or the Father Immediate. A message could be sent to the community after informing the local Superior.

     

    2.3 - There may be situations that need further pastoral care due to the fact that : 

       - suggestions and advice of the Mixed Commission are not accepted by the persons involved,

    - decisions need to be made by the General Chapter,

    - more time and special interventions are needed in complicated situations.

     

    In such cases the Mixed Commission will draw up a report and inform the Coordinating Commission and the Abbot General. Then, with the suggestions of the Abbot General, the situation will be referred for deeper study to an ad hoc commission named by the Mixed Commission. Such an ad hoc commission will include a member of the Council of the Abbot General and a Superior of the Region of the monastery being studied.

     

    The ad hoc commission brings its findings to the Mixed Commission, which will then propose the recommendations needed to help the community. If this proves insufficient, the Mixed Commission will bring the situation to the attention of the Plenary Assembly.

     

    3.  Report to the Plenary Assembly 

    Each Mixed Commission makes a report offering a general picture of the communities it has studied. In this report mention can be made of particular aspects or common features which could be of interest to the Plenary Assembly.  

     

    After all the general Reports of the Mixed Commissions are heard, with some time after each Report for clarifications, the Reports will be confided to someone or to an ad hoc commission, so that a global vision (state of the Order) can be formulated based on these reports. Any issues or trends that would be of interest or concern to the MGM will be highlighted. The Coordinating Commission will decide how to treat these issues and trends, for example, through the use of panels, discussions in the aula, etc.

     

     4.  Truth, Transparency and Confidentiality 

        a. - All those present at the Chapter are bound to confidentiality outside the Chapter concerning sensitive issues. 

       b. - All members of the Chapter who take part in decisions have the right to know everything which is needed for a balanced judgment, but also the obligation to respect all the persons and communities involved.  

       c. - The Abbot General, the Coordinating Commission and all the structures of service of the Chapter have the duty to give information with openness and truth, so that the Chapter may function in truth and charity. 

       d. - There might be some situations that are not publicly known, some elements of which have to remain secret so as not to damage unnecessarily the reputation of a person or community, provided that the reputation of third parties is not damaged.

                     Return to:   - Decisions according to the Program     - Procedure for the House Reports     - Daily Reports

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