CONFERENCE
F. Carlos Azpiroz

Carlos Azpiroz Costa, born in Argentina in 1950 is presently the Master General of the Dominicans since 2001. A doctor in Canon Law, he was the eighth of a family of thirteen boys and one girl.

In his introduction he thanked Brother Alvaro for his important work during these years serving as President of the Union of Superiors General in Rome.

The written text of his presentation came to eighteen pages but his words were so enjoyable since he is such an excellent communicator and has a marvelous sense of humor. At certain moments he made an analysis of conflictive topics but managed to do so with fine irony. On specific questions concerning the religious life he did clearly define what his own thought was. We can imagine the difficulty for the translators in the cabins for the abundance of anecdotes, including songs, that he wove into his exposition.

He analyzed what he found to be new in BEING BROTHERS TODAY taking as an icon Joseph the dreamer. He drew the parallels of Joseph and his dreams with the Brother of today. Some of these dreams are lived as nightmares and others as very pleasant experiences.

He affirmed that the present time is not the same as the initial context when the Institute spread out all over the world. He stressed that when the laws of the various countries put obstacles in the path of the Brothers they made an effort to adapt to the reality. He recalled the contribution of the 39th General Chapter for its publication of the Declaration.

His contributions will prove very useful for the reflection of the Capitulants.

Eritrea, Spain, France, USA, Costa Rica, Cuba, Switzerland, the Philippines—eight countries—eight Brothers who were elected at the previous General Chapter in 2000 for the animation and government of the Institute. On completion of these seven years, Brother Superior and his Council presented their report on their stewardship and the global vision of the Brothers and our educational establishments.

Brother William MANN, Vicar, made the introduction. He was followed by the presentations of Brothers Yemanu (communications and animation of the RELAF), Marc HOFER (economic management), Juan Pablo (formation), Claude (MEL, UMAEL) Miguel CAMPOS (Lasallian Studies, formation) and Victor FRANCO (government).

After the reports of the Councilors Brother Alvaro presented his report that he had organized in three sections:

• The signs of “something new” that is coming to light.
• The “movement” that impels us to leave the past behind in order to embrace what is new, pointing us toward the future of the work of God.
• That which must be attended to with “the greatest care” in a community.

The Capitulants listened to Brother Superior for a full hour. His words carried profound content. In his report he made an historic review of our situation, with its lights and its shadows, bringing out the strengths and the weaknesses, and with suggestions for the adaptation of the structures.

He ended his intervention striking a note of hope because “another world is possible”. He invited us to “go out from the fortress of our securities”… to be “men of hope”… “the human face of Jesus for young people”… “witnesses of our fraternal life in community”… “As Capitulants we have the possibility of re-making our Institute”…

OPINIONS

The atmosphere the capitulants feel.

How did the beginning of the Chapter go for you?

Esayas TZEGAY GABIR - Lwanga

First of all, I liked the strategy that Central Administration and the Central Commission,choose in the preparation of the general Chapter. It had been self-evaluating,in regard of our identity,community life and mission.

It called us, as Brothers starting from Community to Institute level to the awerness of the new realities of today in the Church and the society where we live, and how we should respond. I found that the Chapter is continuing the process that start some time before.

Personally,I am entering in that openness to listening to what is happening around me as a Brother, to the reality of our society particularly on Africa and in the world in general,and to our role as Brothers within the Church’s mission and life.

The two days have been not only enriching and challenging but are able to create an atmosphere of search in being the best effective instruments of the Lord in our time, no matter where we comme from. The preparation, presenters, the liturgy and group sharing had been great.