Bolivia - "What direction is the region going in?” The Rector Major’s question challenges the Inter-America region.
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06 April 2017

(ANS - Cochabamba) - At the end of the Team Visit to the Salesian Region of Inter-America (Cochabamba, 28 March to 1 April), the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, gave some guidelines for the coming years.

The starting point was a diagnosis of reality. In this regard, the Rector Major asked: "What direction is the region going in? I ask this especially in reference to some very precious areas where it is already working." He highlighted the following points among others:

"An important aspect, primary and central, is to continue to take care of the vocational identity of every Salesian,” said the Rector Major.  “We must continue to pay attention to our condition as Salesians of Don Bosco, consecrated religious. In addition to work and to carrying out many social services we have to be able always to show what is the reason of our life, why and for whom we live and what we live."

2. Another point mentioned in the evaluation by Fr A.F. Artime is the reference to the preferential option in Youth Ministry. "A beautiful aspect in this region is the preferential option that is seen in most of our works and that I hope will continue to grow. It is a preferential option for young people who have nothing, for the weak, for those who are forced to migrate, for those who do not have an easy life,” he said.

3. Another important element on which we reflected and on which we were in agreement was the need to retrain people, and improve structures of the various stages of formation, in order to ensure ever more a deep identity in the formation of the Salesians.

4. The Tenth Successor of Don Bosco then pointed out that consecrated Salesians and lay people have been sharing the spirit and mission since the birth of the Congregation, something which was emphasized clearly by the 24th General Chapter and recent General Chapters. It is not therefore something optional, but inherent in the charism.

During this visit to Bolivia, the participants saw for themselves the closeness of the Rector Major and the General Council to the Inter-America region, "a closeness that goes beyond sympathy to achieve empathy. It makes us feel the presence of the Congregation around Don Bosco and his Successor" is how the Councillor General for Youth Ministry, Fr Fabio Attard, described it. 

There are numerous photos of the Team Visit on ANSFlickr

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