News from the General Chapter

The second week of the General Chapter of the Brothers CMM is almost over. During three long days the members of the Chapter examined the financial situation. What is the state of affairs? How to guarantee a sustainable future for the mission of the Congregation? This tough and complex agenda item was made much more accessible and comprehensible by the input of creative process counsellor Iris Nieuwboer with the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method. It sounds playful and fun, and it is indeed, but at the same time it is a very effective way of looking for solutions to complex issues. The creative work method invites to break away from a rusty way of thinking and to look at the issues from a completely different perspective.  After this LEGO session, the start of a new policy was formulated under the guidance of Frans Schilder (financial advisor to the General Board). This new policy offers perspective on a sustainable future for the congregation and especially – because that is what it is all about – for the work of the brothers in the service of others.

The second half of the week dealt with the topics Apostolate, Formation, External Communication, and Heritage and Archives. These topics were first discussed in parallel sessions in small groups. Each group came up with a suggestion for recommendations, which were then discussed in plenary, modified if necessary, and approved. Other topics on the agenda were community life, and the future of the regions of Namibia, East Timor and Brazil. From Monday onwards, the Chapter will focus on the topic of ‘Leadership’, which will result in an election process and ultimately in the election of the Superior General and members of the General Board for the period 2021-2027. We hope to be able to announce this on Friday, 26 November.