This is an article which was sent to me by one of my friends, who is a religious, penning about his his personal experience of the members of his congregation. I have adapted to our fraternity. This may sound negative picture of friars but i am sure you will agree with me. You can use it for your animation of the fraternity.
INDIVIDUAL CAPUCHINS
Our
men have become more secular, individualistic and addicted to modern gadgets
and facilities (Gadget gurus). There s more dependence on modern inventions
than discernment, and Capuchin spirituality
We tend to be narrow-minded
with greater emphasis on “My work,” “My ministry” and “touch me not” attitude.
Mediocrity
has crept in as opposed to Magis. The ‘Capuchin Availibity’ willingness to
go/do anywhere/anything for the glory of God is not found in many.
We
do not seem to be serious about our vows
Money,
gifts, donations are received by individuals but there is no accountability.
AT THE COMMUNITY
LEVEL (can
be applicable to the province as a whole too)
We
indulge in a lot of criticism especially back biting.
We lack the
courage to face each other, speak frankly and strike a healthy relationship. In
the same way, we feel jealous of others successes and fail to appreciate and
acknowledge them. This leads to a lot of negativism and cynicism.
The superiors lack courage
to care-front those friars who err. On the other hand, the subjects too do not
take the authorities seriously. Local superiors are bypassed by the members of
the community with regard to important decisions. There is a crisis in
leadership. Good governance is missing at various levels.
Too
much mobile gossip and yet lack of communication between friars and provincial,
Superiors.
AT THE PROVINCE LEVEL:
We
are neither men of prayer and deep spirituality nor do we show by our deeds and
behavior. Our provinces is ‘financially rich but spiritually very poor’
A
ghetto mentality. Ethnicity and other forms of like minded groups destroy the
unity that we experienced as Capuchins.
The
provinces have lost the spirit of pioneering. We are now busy maintaining and
institutionalizing rather than venturing into new and innovative apostolic
priorities.
Lack
of unified vision as capuchin provinces
There
are persons in the province who promote an individual or a group damaging the
unity of the members as a whole. There are “God Fathers” in the province.
There
is need of revisiting formation, revitalizing it and make it relevant to the signs
of the times. The end product is the reflection of the formations process.
We also need credible
formators who set an example to the young Capuchins.
We are covering a large
geographical area with numbers dwindling as years go by.
There needs to be more
financial accountability.
For the last few years
Evangelization thrust is not being seen as the goal of the capuchin friars.
Vocation promotion is
become job of vocation promoters and not all the friars, some places it is not
given priority
No importance is given to
promote vocations to the brotherhood.
Villages seems not to be on
our agenda. The people of remote villages do expect the Capuchins to contribute
to their growth and development.
QUALITIES EXPECTED FROM THE
PROVINCIAL and councilors.
1. First of all he should be a deeply spiritual person,
committed to the capuchin
charism and the Church. Discerns and prays before
decisions are made. One who is led by the Spirit rather than other
considerations like pressure groups, ethnicity, god fathers and friends. Be
ready to journey alone and become unpopular if needed.
2. The provincial and councilor should keep abreast of what is
happening in the secular social-political-economic world to know its trends; as
well as know the province its works and its men.
3. He should love his men, be a healer of wounds, and take
personal care of persons. At the same time should be courageous enough to
care-front persons, reprimand them and take timely action against erring friars.
4. A person who can foster a vision for the province. Should
have courage to close down institutions if need be, and open new apostolic
ventures after due discernment.
5. An efficient administer as he needs to mange human, material
as well as financial resources of the province.
6. He inspires trust, to whom we can confide in without fear of
information being leaked out. Confidentiality inspires trusts.
7. Promotes individual initiatives without giving into individualism.
Also promotes leadership among the friars.
8. Good communication skills required. Flow of communication
from the province to friars in fraternity should be smooth and constant.
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