Commission work has begun. Chapter members, Brothers and Partners, are spread out among the six commissions, as noted before. Discussion in smaller, multi-cultural groups facilitates in-depth discussions as well as complementarity. The General Assembly will hear the first presentation from the commissions on Tuesday, May 16th since May 15th is devoted to honoring the memory of our Founder. In the meantime, the Chapter's Press Office has spoken with some of the Chapter Members to get their personal opinion.

Concerning the presentations about each Region.

Brother Olavo José Dalvit (District of Porto Alegre, Brazil). What was your impression of the Regional presentations?

1. First of all, I was very impressed by the candor of the descriptions of the Regions and Districts. We are in the midst of some problems, we know the reasons and the consequences that these will have and we also know what we need to do in order to avoid a disaster. This same reality pushes us forward to look at the future as an opportunity, we envision new possibilities, new horizons, new ways of being De La Salle Brothers today.

2. Secondly, I can sense that the problems (number of Brothers, changes in education and other problems) are being looked at in terms of their effects rather than in terms of their causes. It seems that what is basic should be clear, that everyone knows the fundamentals involved in being a Brother and that we need only to solve the problems and the consequences that we are facing now.

As a young Brother here for the Chapter and despite the lack of a more global vision, I sense a danger that would mean getting bogged down in non-essential issues at this time while we are living here as Institute and as part of society. I am encouraged by the community spirit and the powerful presence of the Spirit that I feel among the Chapter participants.

Concerning the Regional presentations, Brother Luis Morel (District of France) offered his thoughts:

In general, I thought that the presentation was interesting. It opened my eyes concerning the diversity of situations in which the Brothers live, their concerns, their work environments throughout the world. The variety of teaching resources that were used held the assembly's attention. The presentations themselves made clear the differences that exist among Regions in terms of the human and financial resources that are available in each of them.

The fact that the presentations were centered on the challenges that each Region faces did not make clear the option of the Brothers with regard to the mission of the Institute and the way that each Region deals with it while facing the tremendous current need for the human and Christian education of the poor on every continent. This was an omission I hope to be able to rectify during the days of this Chapter. Seven years later will perhaps be too late.

Concerning the changes needed in the Institute:

Brother Humberto Murillo, Director of the Novitiate in the District of Medellin, Colombia and former Visitor of that District, said: I hope that the next team of Councillors and the next Superior will discuss the dynamic Institute axes: spirituality, identity and consecration; education for the poor, the defense of life, justice, democracy and pacification; formation for associates and Brothers; the evangelization of young people and faith education.

There need to be changes in the Institute's central government and in District structures. Whatever it takes should be done to achieve interdependence and the regrouping of Brothers. What is needed is a renewal in the way goods are administered in the Region and in Districts.

Concerning the future Superior General:

Two opinions were given: one on his leadership and another one on his qualities.

Concerning the type of leadership and animation style, Brother André Dubuc, from the District of French-speaking Canada, said: "He should be a man strongly rooted in the Gospel who can take on God's passion for the world and who knows how to communicate this to the Brothers and our colleagues. Therefore, he needs to be a man who is sensitive to suffering in the world and who will allow himself to be filled with compassion and with indignation and who will transmit this sensitivity.
What is needed is a man who is prophetically bold and evangelically wise, who with vigor and happiness will give a new, bold imagination of Christian hope to Brothers and lay colleagues.

He must be a man who maintains unity - not uniformity - and communion in the Institute. I hope he will be a guarantor of the charism of the Founder and of the Lasallian mission. He should be a messenger of hope who knows how to support efforts and shake people up".

Some qualities that the next Superior General should have, points out Brother Raúl Valadez García, former Visitor of the District of South Mexico, are: "He should have a great capacity for listening to and accompanying the Brothers. He should have an open spirit and a charism for discernment. He should know how to work within a team and allow them to make contributions, especially in the General Council. He should be in favor of rapid and effective communication for the entire Institute".