On Friday, the Capitulants had an in-depth exchange on the selection of the number of Assistants in the General Council.
As stated in the Chapter Regulations, it is possible to elect 3 or 4 Assistants. This must be specified in each Chapter.
In turn, several Brothers who have served as Assistant or end their mandate have expressed their way of having lived this role.
Bro. Yannick, President of the Bureau of the Chapter expressed the recommendation of the Congregation of Religious which advocates rather a composition of General Council including 4 and not 3 assistants.
Heard on the role of the assistants:
Bro. Peter KAZEKULYA
Bro. Josu OLABARIETTA
Bro. Guillermo DAVILA.
Bro. Gildas PRIGENT
He is to be an advisor to the Brother Superior General
He is at the same time in charge of the accompaniment of the major superiors
He may also have expertise in particular areas
He has no special power and stands at the junction between Brother Superior
General and Major Superiors
He is called to play a growing role in the animation of the congregation and the
development of the Mennaisian Family
He helps to discern for the authorization of the Brothers to perpetual vows
He maintains relations with the Brothers, especially the younger ones
Several former Assistants or outgoing Assistants have revealed:
+ to have sometimes experienced a lack of time for visits in several sectors
+ to have lived a time of grace and in-depth knowledge of the places where the
congregation works
+ The quality of the relations with the major superiors is determining in the good
functioning of this service
+ The importance of being attentive to ways of working relationships and ways of
doing things
On the question of electing three or four assistants:
It was mentioned at the same time of a need
a.- of more availability of the members of the Council to accompany all the sectors of
the congregation and the development of the Mennaisian Family,
b.- of a greater need of advisers
c.- and, at the same time, of limited human resources of Provinces and Districts to
reach a team of 4 assistants.
In the end, the assembly voted to maintain the composition of the General Council with 3 assistants
