The meeting took place in a fraternal, trustfully atmosphere. The Provincial Councillors not only acknowledged the existing cooperation but also discussed initial steps on the way to a closer connection between the two provinces in the future. In many parts of the Salesian mission, there has already been a close collaboration and contact for years. Now this basis is going to be further expanded and also extended to other areas in order to strengthen the joint work.
A key point of the meeting was the discussion of structural and religious law issues. The councilors discussed possible scenarios that appear both feasible and sensible. A steering committee was set up to define the main topics and to work on open questions. There will also be a close contact to the General Council of the Salesians in order to discuss prospects and steps for a possible merger of the two provinces.
The Provincial Councils intend to draw up a “Letter of Intent” to formulate the common intention of the two provinces and to outline the first steps towards a merger. The next meeting of the provincial councils is planned for July 2025. Until then, the steering committee will be able to present results and prepare the first important steps.
In 1919 the former Austro-German-Hungarian Province was founded in Vienna. In 1935, almost 90 years ago, it was divided in an Austrian Province (Vienna) and a German Province (Munich). The German Province then split up into a Northern and a Southern part with Provincialates in Cologne and Munich. The merger into today’s German Province took place in 2005.
P. Siegfried Kettner, Provincial Austria
P. Reinhard Gesing, Provincial Germany
