The Salesians of Spain welcomed with surprise and satisfaction the announcement by Pope Francis that our Rector Major will be created Cardinal in the next Consistory. This news reminds us that the Salesian vocation places us at the centre of the Church and puts us fully at the service of the mission to which the Lord sends us. Our charism leads us to work with young people with a pedagogy and spirituality inherited from Don Bosco. Since our birth, we have felt part of the Church with filial fidelity to the Successor of Peter. Without a doubt, the trust that Pope Francis has placed in the current successor of Don Bosco is a sign or the entire Salesian Family that fills us with joy.
Ángel Fernández Artime was elected Rector Major in 2014 during the 27th General Chapter of the Congregation. In that assembly, the highest governing body of the Salesians, the programmatic words expressed by Pope Francis only a year earlier, in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, were very much present in the reflection of the Rector Major: “I am not unaware that today documents do not arouse the same interest of other times, and are quickly forgotten. However, I stress that what I will try to express here has programmatic significance and important consequences. I hope that all communities will provide the necessary means to continue on the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion, which cannot leave things as they are.”
Nine years later, Pope Francis' announcement of the creation of our Rector Major as Cardinal confirms us in the task of continuing our commitment, starting from our educational charism, to make visible an outgoing Church, which is a field hospital in which many young people can find an environment inhabited by people who educate, accompany and help to grow in the faith.
We are grateful for the confidence that the Pope has shown towards the Salesian Congregation with this appointment. On behalf of all Salesians, members of the Salesian Family and our educative and pastoral communities, we assure our beloved Rector Major of our prayers at this important time in his life.
Fr Fernando García, SDB Fr Fernando Miranda, SDB
SSM Provincial SMX Provincial
