This transition was made possible by the work of the six interregional Commissions, established to ensure that every Chapter member could constructively express their points of view. The Commissions analyzed the main “challenges” and related “objectives” for the future of the Congregation. After a morning dedicated to these activities of study and dialogue, the afternoon marked the beginning of a new phase: the first public session of responses by the General Councillors of the Sectors to the interventions raised by Chapter members.

The Topics Addressed by the General Councillors

The four General Councillors took the floor, each delving into crucial topics for the progress and mission of the Congregation.

Fr Ivo Coelho, General Councillor for Formation, addressed one of the central issues: the fidelity to the Salesian charism and religious profession, particularly among young confreres. He highlighted that the analysis cannot be simplified by attributing all responsibility to the so-called “unfavourable cultural context”. On the contrary, he pointed out an encouraging fact: in contexts where cultural contrasts are stronger, the dropout rate is lower than the global average. This suggests that young people responding to their vocation in such environments have already found personal solutions to the critical issue of the relationship between faith and life.

Fr Miguel Ángel García Morcuende, General Councillor for Youth Ministry, emphasized that the redesign of Salesian presences should not be seen as merely an organizational or “institutional engineering” issue. Instead, it is a process aimed at improving the educational offer for young people, while also considering the conditions of Salesian communities. He stressed the importance of adopting policies that protect the daily life of the communities, thus creating spaces for the development of the charism. He cited the example of the Italian Provinces, which are working to define a new governance model aimed at greater efficiency and proximity to local needs.

In his intervention, Fr Alfredo Maravilla, General Councillor for Missions, focused on the process of selecting and sending missionaries. He explained that the missionary mandate originates from a “missionary project” presented by the Provincial, which outlines the profiles required for the candidates. From there, the discernment process for selecting and sending missionaries unfolds, completed with the approval of the Rector Major and the General Council. However, he warned that, no matter how well-structured the process is, it is not always possible to identify the “perfect missionary” from the start. He therefore encouraged trust in the system, reaffirming that the quality of formation and role management are essential to the success of missions.

Fr Gildasio Mendes, General Councillor for Social Communication, addressed the issue of clericalism, calling it a real “disease” that infiltrates the ecclesial body. Referring to the teachings of Pope Francis, he explained that clericalism leads to forgetting Baptism and belonging to the People of God. He proposed revisiting the documents of the Second Vatican Council and putting into practice Jesus’ teaching: “gird your loins to serve your brothers”. Furthermore, he stressed that true evangelization cannot be limited to social media but must be based on a lived testimony, capable of convincing and evangelizing through daily life.

A Constructive Dialogue for the Future

This first public session of responses marked an important moment for the General Chapter. It allowed for a deeper exploration of key issues for the life and mission of the Congregation, giving the Chapter members an opportunity to engage in a constructive and enriching dialogue.

The work continues today, Friday, February 28, with the second part of the responses, which will feature interventions from the Vicar of the Rector Major, the General Economer, and the Regional Councillors. This session is also an opportunity to further clarify proposals and strategies to address future challenges and strengthen the Salesian mission over the next six years.

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