GC29: Aiming to Bring Don Bosco's Choices into the Present

GC29: Aiming to Bring Don Bosco’s Choices into the Present

(ANS – Turin – March 13, 2025) – The March 12 work session of GC29 opened with clarifications from the general secretariat, which had to organize and synthesize 15 proposed resolutions concerning Core Theme 3.

“All of them navigate the fine line between the desire for renewal and the prudence of continuity,” noted the secretariat. It also sought to assign appropriate voting weights, depending on whether a motion leaned more toward one approach or the other. In fact, constitutional changes require a 2/3 majority, while resolutions that maintain the current state of affairs can be approved by a simple majority of half plus one.

The resolutions submitted to the chapter members were further refined and reduced to 3 for this session. The decisions made by GC29, based on the votes cast, focus on internal coordination among the departments of the general council while keeping the composition of its members unchanged.

A particularly challenging discussion arose regarding proposals 8, 9, and 10, which explore the possibility of allowing Salesian coadjutors to take on leadership and governance roles at the levels of directors, provincials, and even the rector major. In previous reports, the differing positions of the committees on this issue had already been noted. On Wednesday, March 12, the assembly once again addressed the topic, with numerous speakers—each in a spirit of fraternity—highlighting the pros and cons of each possibility.

Fr. Chavez in animated conversation

The prevailing sentiment, however, remains the need to respect the outgoing rector major, Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime’s invitation to balance historical continuity with a forward-looking vision. In light of this, the rector major emeritus, Fr. Pascual Chavez, who has been following the proceedings daily, was invited to present briefly how past rectors major, from the Second Vatican Council to the present, have understood their role.

All participants in the discussion referenced the origins of the Congregation to support their arguments, whether in favor of or against the motion inspired by the papal rescript. Yet, as was noted, each person interprets Don Bosco’s choices through his own sensitivity and lived experience of the Salesian charism.

A parallel but related discussion is also expected to arise soon concerning the responsibilities of non-consecrated laity, who already collaborate extensively with Salesians worldwide. Additionally, it was pointed out that the Congregation’s unique identity within the Church does not exempt it from participating in the Church’s universal journey. Therefore, Pope Francis’s call to be prophetic should be heeded today, just as Don Bosco responded to the exhortations of Pope Pius IX in his time.

As Fr. Stefano Martoglio, the assembly president, emphasized, it remains essential to continue praying, discerning individually and collectively, and working toward a mature formulation of guidelines for the new general council regarding the involvement of consecrated lay members at all levels of the Congregation.

From this perspective, a proposal originally considered “off-topic” may prove relevant to the discussion. Fr. Joan Lluis Playà Morera, representative of the Salesian Family, presented a motion regarding the voting rights of the rector major’s delegate for the Salesian Family.