Rome (Italy). The ICES meeting took place in the FMA General House from 11 to 13 June 2018.
The 12 Provincials of the Inter-Province Conference for Europe and the Middle East (ICES) reflected on the “Style of animation and governance” at all levels in the Institute: Community, Provincial and Central.
A rich material full of history, of current affairs, of realism, of lights and shadows has enriched sharing, analyzing the experience of the communities in view of the educational mission.
“We have realized the diversity of interpretations and the various incarnations of the Charism in the fabric of every nation. In fact, animating and governing take on different nuances depending on the social, political, and cultural fabric in which the FMA are present. It is not the same between lands in conflict and the lands of post-modernity. And what can we think about the societies of post-communism, of inter-religious and intercultural societies? “- commented the Provincials.
There are communities that have involved lay people and associations in decisions and programming; in others the government is still pyramidal, centralized, and one-sided. It was realized that the “coordination for communion” is still an open path and requires relational skills, decentralization, faith, and imitation of the Master who “came to serve and not to be served!”.
It was noted that openness and change do not always depend on the age of the FMA, but on the willingness to change mentality. In fact, the young animators are more likely to fall into authoritarianism, the result of insecurity and lack of experience, while others of the Third age show greater flexibility and openness in sharing and co-responsibility in animation.
Character, skills, personal history such as faith, ability to relate, empathy, and knowledge … are all factors that make the animation of each one different, unique.
The charism remains ONE that unites us and stimulates growth in spiritual motherhood, encourages the family spirit and calls for unity of intent and intervention.
The crisis of religious life and the re-reading of the vow of obedience that greatly influences the supplement of human and spiritual maturity, required by the complexity of the present times, urges us to give creative and audacious answers.
The next meeting of the CIEM Conference, together with the other CIEP and CII Conferences, will be in Mornese in September 2018. Mother has assured us that each meeting of discernment together opens the way to change and marks the history of the Institute.
