GC29 Takes a Study Day

GC29 Takes a Study Day

Fr. Martoglio giving the chapter their study directives

(ANS – Turin – February 27, 2025) – The participants of General Chapter 29, currently underway in Valdocco, dedicated an entire day to intense and in-depth study following two days of presentations of various reports. This work session was necessary to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the state of the Congregation and to enable the chapter members to address the issues requiring dialogue and initiative competently. This was emphasized at the start of the day by the president of the chapter, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, after the approval of the minutes of the previous day, which were passed with majorities exceeding 200 “placet” votes out of 225 participants.

The day also provided an opportunity to formally acknowledge the reports presented by the outgoing councilors in the previous two days. But listening to the reports is not enough: it is essential to “internalize them,” particularly regarding the analyses and strategic direction to be defined for the next six years. This requires overcoming individual perspectives to embrace a collective vision. The president moreover stated: “The people we choose to form the new council and to take on the role of Rector Major will not be chosen based on mere likeability but on their genuine alignment with the goals of our shared work.”

Capitulars taking in an address.
Bro. Travis Gunther is in the center.

Key Points: Congregation’s Presence and Economic Stability

Among the most critical aspects to analyze are the size and spread of the Congregation, as well as its economic capacities, to ensure the sustainability and feasibility of every project. During the day, the chapter members delved into the data and statistics presented by Bro. Marco Bay, and the financial analysis illustrated by Bro. Jean Paul Muller, treasurer general.

Quoting Pope Francis, in the report on the current state of the Congregation he highlighted: “We are living a change of epoch rather than an epoch of change.” The data confirm a slow but steady decline in the number of Salesians worldwide.” At the end of 2024, we count 13,575 confreres,” stated Bro. Marco Bay. However, he urged the assembly not to be swayed by economic models chasing the myth of continuous growth.” The local level is increasingly more important than the global level because people matter the most,” he added.

The Economic Challenge: Long-term Sustainability

The treasurer general, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, emphasized a crucial issue: the need to ensure long-term financial security, accompanied by a commitment to making the provinces increasingly economically self-sufficient.

The allocation of financial resources is mainly directed toward formation and support for the poorer provinces. These two areas often overlap, given that vocations tend to grow more significantly in less-resourced regions. “Funds come primarily from mission offices and foundations (Madrid, New Rochelle, Turin, Rome), unfortunately against a backdrop of limited willingness from benefactors to support the internal needs of the Congregation,” explained the treasurer general. This represents an ongoing challenge in the search for a sustainable balance in resource management and allocation.

The participants of the general chapter dedicated the entire morning to personal reading of the reports to deepen their understanding of the data and analyses presented. In the afternoon, activities continued with two working sessions in different linguistic groups, providing space for sharing and discussion. This method allowed the participants to compare different perspectives and advance concrete proposals regarding the issues under consideration, laying the groundwork for the chapter’s subsequent developments.