Interview with Fr. Angel Fernandez, Rector Major

Interview with Fr. Angel Fernandez, Rector Major

While he was in Spain from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 for a worldwide congress of the Salesian Youth Movement, the Rector Major was interviewed by Religión Digital, an on-line journal. ANS published 2 excerpts from the interview, which are here combined. The entire interview is available at http://www.periodistadigital.com/religion/vida-religiosa/2017/12/04/angel-fernandez-artime-francisco-necesita-saber-que-se-le-apoya-que-estamos-con-el-haciendo-camino-religion-iglesia-reformas-salesianos.shtml

“No concern for oneself. This is neither the image nor the language nor the reality of the Salesians.”

(ANS – Madrid – December 5-6) - “No careerism, no comfort zone, no concern for oneself. This is neither the image, nor the reality, nor the language of the Salesians of Don Bosco,” says Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, Rector Major, speaking clearly as the person responsible for the second largest religious congregation of men in the Catholic world, with 15,000 consecrated priests and brothers, a thousand less than the Jesuits.

You’ve just returned from a trip to Angola and Mozambique. Before that, you were in India, and before that Brazil. How do you live with your suitcases always packed and ready?

Physically, it is very demanding. The rhythms are inhumane – visiting communities, groups, days of 15-16 hours. Listening a lot. Good health is necessary, and above all, the strength that comes from faith, vocation, and the many people who have you in their hearts and thoughts.

What is the Rector Major’s vision on the Congregation?

Our congregation is present in 132 countries. We have been living a few years of profound serenity, not the peace of the cemetery, no. I see a lot of vitality, a lot of strength, a force that is not in power, in success, but in service. We are planning to open three more centers: in Gambia, Malaysia, and a new one in a refugee camp in Uganda. The Congregation has embarked on a very beautiful journey, with serenity, with great strength, in work that is shared between religious and laity.

As a congregation what guidelines are you following?

We have a few very clear guidelines from the [27th] general chapter. First of all, to live as consecrated persons. We are not social service providers. We are not a well-organized NGO with 15,000 members. We are a congregation with men of faith, consecrated, and this is the witness we want to offer. Wherever they try to silence God, we want to make God visible through our lives, through what we are and what we do. Second, there must be a permanent, ongoing response to the priorities of the boys, girls, and youths and, among these, the neediest.

And you are the second congregation in size, behind only the Jesuits?

It’s not a question of numbers, but we are a large congregation. We, as Don Bosco’s sons, are born in the peripheries. Some might say: the Salesians are with the rich, and I tell them, it’s not true! The preferential option, in 85% of our centers, is for the poor and humble people.

And the work in schools?

I recently returned from Mumbai, and I met 1,500 boys and girls taken from the street, in dozens of Salesian centers. Then I was at the anniversary of an elite school, and I spoke with the teachers. I told them: “Whether this school makes sense or not will depend on the fruits of our education. It is not a Salesian school if it does not educate to the Christian identity. If we do not educate so that our students have a clear social conscience, a sense of justice and equality. If so, the school does great social, educational, and religious work; if not, we can close it down.”

“With Pope Francis the Church is living a beautiful spring”

The Rector Major also spoke about Pope Francis and the Church, offering firm statements. The Salesian leader is convinced that with Pope Francis “the Church is living through a beautiful spring.”

Many of the key ideas of the pontificate of Francis are reflected in what you have to say. Where does this symbiosis come from?

I’ll tell you with great joy that these challenges posed by Pope Francis haven’t surprised us. We feel “like fish in water.” The Pope has a marked pastoral character and a preference for the poor. As Rector Major, I remind everyone of the priority we give to these elements of our identity.

There is the sensation that this Pope is much loved outside, but within the Church there are groups, people, or sensibilities who do not understand or go directly against Pope Francis. Do we need to help the Pope?

As a Salesian I must say what Don Bosco always said, “Long live the Pope.” The Pope is the Pastor of the Church, and a man like everyone else. He needs to feel that he is being supported, that we are with him, that we are walking together.

There are those who presume to declare the Pope a heretic.

It’s stupid. An absolute stupidity, as it is to believe that one is more enlightened than he is. And, within the Church, we are many who feel in total communion with the Pope. I add another element. I know that Pope Francis is aware that especially [those who are in] religious life are in profound communion with the Pope and with Pope Francis.

How do you see the future of the Church?

If you talk to me about the Church, I answer you on the basis of what I know. Without a doubt, the Church is full of life, full of consecrated men and women, pastors, priests, and lay people who are committed all over the world. We are experiencing a spring time. I would even dare to say: we are again living a beautiful spring, and it will not be the last one, eh? It’s enough to talk about the Church and think just of four or five people. It can be criticized, we make mistakes, but every time what I see is the Church that is there to serve, to be with people, with those who believe, with those who do not believe, and with anyone who wants to talk or needs help. It’s what I honestly think.