The Government Commission requested time this afternoon for the General Assembly to sit as a Committee of the Whole in order to exchange ideas about the qualities of the next Superior and his Council.

Various members expressed their points of view in a 45 minute conversation that included the following:

Concerning the Superior General:

Various speakers said the most important role of the Superior was that of a pastor, who would take in hand the problems of ageing Brothers and that of the most needy sectors, especially concerning formation. He should be a good listener, so that he will be better able to understand the diversity of the Institute. He should have the tenderness of a mother to help us adapt to change, and the firmness of a father to accompany us in change and to implement renovation. He needs to be able to maintain unity in plurality and thus be able to accompany the Visitors closely.

Others thought that the most important thing is that the Superior should be a prophet, with a vision for the future without fear of change. He should be able to denounce deviations, open up perspectives and motivate renovation. He needs to be aware of the realities and be capable of revitalising and reactivating those sectors of the Institute in difficulty. He should be fearless in promoting change. This prophetic trait will draw him close to the prophetic role of Jesus and as such facilitate the formation of a team (his Council) and allow him to be an effective leader in order to revitalise the Institute.

In thinking of a person who can combine both of these characteristics, some thought that this has to happen with a team, the Superior and his Council, who would together combine these qualities.

Other qualities were mentioned such as: his quality as a religious and his sensitivity and identification with the preferential option for the poor.

Concerning the General Council:

The majority of the opinions centred on the point that the Council needs to be a team that is united and balanced, integrated by expertise rather than geographical representation. When occasion demands it, the Superior could delegate a Brother from a Region who knows the local area in order to carry out a precise task and offer his qualified opinion to the Superior, as has been happening already.

It was pointed out that it is not just a question of experts but men having qualities of men of God and above all with the capacity to work as a team. They should share the future Superior's qualities of openness and having a vision for the future, and to be aware of the new life-cycle opening up to the future.

The new leadership of the Institute should foster subsidiarity and interdependence. No District or sector is so rich that it has no need of others or so poor that it has nothing to offer to others.

It is important that the Superior himself should choose his Councillors from amongst the persons indicated by the Chapter as apt for the work.

The problem was raised of how to be aware of the best qualified persons in the Institute since the majority of the participants have a limited knowledge of Brothers from other regions. This is why we should set up a way of presenting candidates, learning their qualities, and openly considering them before electing them.

The exercise of leadership should take place close to the regions, above all in those where the future of the Institute will be found in the coming years. Modern means of communication should be used in the exercise of his role.