Intervento di Sr. Jolanta Kafka
Intervento di Sr. Mary Kudiyiruppil
Intervento di Sr. Franca Zonta
Intervento di Sr. Patricia Murray
Ha avuto luogo oggi, venerdì 29 aprile 2022, alle ore 12.00, presso la Sala Stampa della Santa Sede la presentazione della XXII Assemblea Plenaria dell’Unione Internazionale delle Superiore Generali (UISG), che si svolge - in presenza e online - dal 2 al 6 maggio 2022 sul tema “Abbracciare la Vulnerabilità nel Cammino sinodale”.
Sono intervenute: Sr. Jolanta Kafka, Presidente della UISG); Sr. Patricia Murray, Segretaria Esecutiva della UISG; Sr. Mary Kudiyiruppil, Vice-Segretaria Esecutiva della UISG, e Sr. Franca Zonta, Superiora generale delle Suore Marianiste.
Ne pubblichiamo di seguito gli interventi:
Intervento di Sr. Jolanta Kafka
Estamos muy agradecidas por la posibilidad que nos ofrece la Sala Stampa acogiendo la UISG y la presentación de la asamblea…
cada tres años la Plenaria de la UISG reune a las superioras generales de todo el mundo. suele ser un punto de llegada… de encuentro para compartir lo vivido y lo que la última asamblea ha trazado como caminos de inspiración, de profundización y proyección. Y suele convertirse en punto de partida para nuevas búsquedas y creatividad…
La Asamblea conjunta (USG y UISG) online (Mayo 2021), y seguidamente la asamblea de las Delegadas de las constelaciones de todo el mundo han influido en la opción del tema. En aquellos diálogos se ha compartido y profundizado en la vivencia de los últimos dos años marcados por la covid y las interpelaciones que nos hacen sus consecuencias. Este intercambio se dio en el marco esperanzador de la inminente preparación al nuevo Sínodo. A partir de todas estas conversaciones ha ido emergiendo el tema de nuestra asamblea: Abrazando la vulnerabilidad en camino sinodal.
Los temas de este año son esencialmente dos: la vulnerabilidad y la sinodalidad. Queremos abrazar la vulnerabilidad y unirnos al camino sinodal con la Iglesia.
Partimos de la fragilidad humana que la covid ha puesto en evidencia aún más. También nuestra vulnerabilidad, la de la vida religiosa. No cabe duda de que estamos atravesando un tiempo frágil, de dificultad y crisis. Sentimos la necesidad de una nueva lectura de lo esencial de la vida religiosa y de los consejos evangélicos. necesitamos releernos a nosotras mismas en el ejercicio de liderazgo, en la misión de autoridad como servicio, desde el espíritu evangélico, sinodal.
A partir de ahí, abrazar la fragilidad que nos rodea, como una realidad en la que Dios nos llama. es una paradoja que cuando acogemos la fragilidad nos fortalecemos para apoyarnos unos a otros. Son los dos enfoques – desde dentro de la vida religiosa y a la humanidad sufriente.
No hay carisma, ni hay familia religiosa que no haya nacido para responder al grito de Dios en los más necesitados y frágiles. Pero el modo en que nos ponemos ante el frágil es también importante. Jesús se hace uno de los demás y nos enseña que la mejor manera de transformar es poniéndonos con los otros. Muchas veces nos hemos situado no solo al lado de los necesitados, sino desde una posición de poder. La novedad es reconocer con más conciencia que también nosotros necesitamos compasión, misericordia, conversión, ser conscientes de nuestras heridas, de nuestros pecados.
Se trata de reconocer la humanidad no en su ‘Yo soy Dios’, como dijo algún pensador (?), sino en su condición de criatura. Se trata de disponernos a reconstruir la humanidad desde lo que somos de verdad, que somos criaturas vulnerables, y desde allí abrazar el proyecto de Dios sobre ella.
La condición de vulnerabilidad nos pone en relación. No lo tengo todo, necesito del otro. Manifestándonos necesitadas de los demás, es algo a redescubrir en el seno de la vida religiosa. Podemos aprender a pedir la gracia de contar más con los demás, de recibir la sabiduría, de esperar que nos venga de la diversidad de carismas y vocaciones.
“Camino SINODAL” como modo y horizonte de la Iglesia: una visión, una pedagogía y economía…acogemos la llamada a caminar juntas, compartiendo y escuchando profundamente desde nuestra fe, nuestro camino de vida, nuestras esperanzas y nuestros sueños.
Con toda la vida religiosa estamos aquí, en el camino Sinodal, Necesitamos discernir, por tanto necesitamos la comunidad para servir mejor a la misión de la Iglesia de anunciar el Evangelio, cuidando y sanando, renovando el servicio del anuncio del Evangelio que abraza a todos, también a los que se sienten alejados o excluidos. Cristo está en el centro, como camino, verdad y vida.
Iniciamos este recorrido con gozo y esperanza de fortalecer nuestra identidad y lanzarnos con confianza en comunión eclesial. Ciertas de la presencia del Espíritu que siempre obra.
[00642-ES.01] [Texto original: Español]
Intervento di Sr. Mary Kudiyiruppil
I would like to explain a bit more the theme of vulnerability which will accompany the Plenary participants the first two days. Vulnerability is a common human predicament which calls for compassion, solidarity and support. Usually, people like to hide their vulnerability, put up a brave front and try to give the impression that everything is under control. This is because being vulnerable can be embarrassing, and seemingly a sign of weakness. We are barely out of the Covid-19 Pandemic and are still in the midst of a war – both these realities have laid bare the façades that everything is under control.
For religious congregations, it is even more difficult to appear vulnerable because of the assumptions on which consecrated life is built such as faith in God, prayer, assurance of being called and sent by God and the Church. For centuries Congregations of women religious have been bastions of strength and have enjoyed considerable influence.
Today, religious Congregations are experiencing vulnerability from several quarters. We experience vulnerability in numerical strength. For many Congregations, a decline in numbers is making them vulnerable. We experience vulnerability from the inner structure of religious life itself, exposed as we are, to questions, challenges and attacks. We are being asked tacitly or aloud, about our professedly coherent positions and values, and the inconsistencies in practice. We experience vulnerability from within our own members in the communities who are looking for change and relevance.
It is important to note that the plenary theme says “embracing” vulnerability which is different from merely tolerating or enduring. “Embracing” happens when there is warmth and closeness in a relationship and a good rapport. It is about recognizing, owning, befriending and being at ease with being vulnerable. And in this honest encounter, there is power, healing and hope. Embracing vulnerability is embracing the Cross in the hope of the resurrection. The goal of the UISG Plenary is not just to lament our vulnerability, but to see how we, as religious women, who are still a formidable force in the Church and society, can keep alive the flame of hope through our presence and mission in the world.
As congregational leaders we are aware of our role of animating and fostering this dimension.
[00643-EN.01] [Original text: English]
Intervento di Sr. Franca Zonta
La seconda e la terza giornata della nostra assemblea saranno dedicate in modo particolare al tema della Sinodalità. Ci chiederemo: come il cammino sinodale trasformerà la vita consacrata? E soprattutto: quale sarà il contributo della Vita consacrata a questo cammino che coinvolge tutta la Chiesa?
In quanto donne e donne consacrate ci sentiamo particolarmente interpellate da questo tema, da questo cammino, cammino che noi come UISG stiamo facendo già da tempo, da quando il soffio dello Spirito che ha animato il Concilio Vaticano II, ha spinto le nostre sorelle a mettersi insieme creando quella che è la UISG, una struttura che favorisce il nostro confrontarci e crescere insieme, rispondendo insieme alle sfide del mondo contemporaneo.
Comunione, partecipazione, missione, le tre parole chiave del Sinodo, sono anche per noi una sfida che ci interpella continuamente.
Il nostro camminare insieme nasce dal desiderio di:
1. testimoniare anzitutto la comunione tra i diversi carismi, la bellezza della diversità nelle diverse forme di vita consacrata;
2. partecipare e condividere esperienze, intuizioni, idee, speranze…
3. mettere in comune le forze e le risorse per la missione che oggi più che mai richiede sinergia, inclusione, integrazione.
E questo è possibile nella misura in cui ci mettiamo insieme per riflettere, pensare, condividere facendo dell’interculturalità, caratteristica delle nostre istituzioni, una grande opportunità per sperimentare e mostrare che il sogno di Papa Francesco, espresso in modo così denso e coinvolgente in “Fratelli Tutti”, è possibile.
La Sinodalità tocca una corda alla quale come donne consacrate siamo molto sensibili. Abbiamo fatto un grande cammino, ma la strada è ancora lunga.
La Plenaria farà vibrare ancora di più questa corda. Il trovarci insieme ci permetterà di dire con forza, in lingue e modalità diverse, ma con un unico cuore Adsumus Sancte Spiritus: siamo qui, stiamo davanti a te Spirito Santo! Perché è questa l’attitudine che ci anima nell’iniziare questa plenaria: la coscienza della nostra vulnerabilità che si apre fiduciosa all’azione dello Spirito Santo.
Stiamo davanti a te Spirito Santo: rinnova dal profondo la vita consacrata affinché lo stile sinodale che ci deve animare non sia solo occasionale ma strutturale, come ci disse Papa Francesco nel messaggio di apertura del Sinodo.
E perché non sia solo una parola alla moda che ormai inseriamo in ogni discorso e in ogni ambito, sarà necessario impegnarci nella formazione. La chiave di svolta sarà la formazione perché solo un cambio di mentalità, solo un nuovo modo di concepire la leadership, lo stile dell’autorità può farci incamminare ancora più speditamente sul sentiero di una vera e feconda sinodalità.
[00644-IT.01] [Testo originale: Italiano]
Intervento di Sr. Patricia Murray
At the UISG Plenary, the Executive Board will provide an overview of developments within UISG since the last Assembly in 2019. These fall into three main categories:
a) New Initiatives
b) Developing Initiatives
c) Long-term Initiatives
New Initiatives include the following:
Establishment of Catholic Care for Children International (CCCI). CCCI grew out of a Sister-led project that began in Africa (Uganda, Zambia and Kenya). This initiative promotes family-based or family-like care, rather than institutional care for children in orphanages. It is clear that 80% of children in so-called orphanages have in fact family members. So, the focus is on supporting families rather than promoting institutions. CCCI is taking the learning from Africa and introducing their best practices in other parts of Africa (Malawi/South Africa) and Asia (Sri Lanka, India and the Philippines).
Commission for Care and Safeguarding was established two years ago in conjunction with USG. It aims to educate leaders of female and male congregations on all aspects of care and safeguarding – development of guidelines and protocols and all issues related to care and safeguarding of minors and vulnerable adults. Congregations are asked to nominate a delegate whose role is to keep General Leadership well-informed. The Commission has offered a number of webinars over these past years which have now been published in conjunction with the Vatican Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Sisters Advocating is an initiative which helps prepare sisters to engage in advocacy on crucial pastoral issues and to help those on the margins to be able to speak on their own behalf. This is a way to actualize the prophetic ministry of religious sisters.
Laudato si’ Platform - The UISG launched “Sowing Hope for the Planet” at Assembly 2019 responding to Pope Francis’ appeal to see the fundamental connection that exists between the environmental crisis and the social crisis we are currently experiencing and to be open to a personal and community ecological conversion. The Pope often reminds us that “everything is interconnected.” “Sowing Hope for the Planet” is a project in which every Sister whose congregation is a member of UISG, and their connections are provided with an opportunity to make a difference in our care of the planet. This initiative now promotes the Laudato si’ Action Platform.
New Initiatives that will be launched on May 9th will focus on the needs of elderly sisters worldwide. The UISG, together with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), will focus on the needs of individuals living with some form of Cognitive Impairment – especially Alzheimer’s. The second focus will be on the care and support of elderly sisters in general. In many parts of the world, women religious have no social security or health insurance. I addition they were often in pastoral ministries and received no payment.
Goals of the Plenary Assembly:
· To understand the process of transformation which can happen when a person engages in the synodal journey;
· To gain in clarity on the spirituality of synodality, especially regarding what the Scripture tells us about the wisdom needed for the synodal journey;
· To see what formation is needed to live and lead in a synodal way.
The Program of the Plenary Assembly will bring the participants on a personal journey in relation to the synodal journey. The theme highlights a disposition needed to engage in the synodal process – that of vulnerability. The synodal process invites all the people of God to engage in a process of discernment, listening together to determine what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church today. To really participate in a discernment process, requires that a person be free to leave behind his/her own agenda and to engage in listening at depth. It is a process of transformation. The presentations during the Assembly will focus on experiences of vulnerability – so that each can identify her own vulnerabilities, the spirituality of synodality, and the call to lead in a synodal way. This will require new approaches to formation.
[00645-EN.01] [Original text: English]
[B0309-XX.01]
