Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Singapore (Agenzia Fides) - South Asia and Oceania are parts of the world experiencing “a positive response to vocations to the Franciscan religious life,” which is a sign of hope for the Franciscan Family and for the entire Church, as well. This was the conclusion drawn by Provincial Secretaries for formation, in their meeting at the OFM Conference of South Asia and Oceania, recently held in Singapore.
The Conference was attended by Franciscan superiors from countries of the entire region, and offered an occasion for reflecting on religious life and on the Franciscan presence in the various countries and territories.
The delegates discussed the need to diversify the formation, according to the different geographical and cultural contexts. In the Asian nations, and in Oceania, there has been a positive vocational response, thus the need to place more effort in the area of preparation of formators and in discernment.
The multicultural and inter-religious context presents certain challenges to the presence and action of Christians, as well as to the choice of religious life. While in some places, the pastoral work involves local cultures of a indigenous or tribal nature, in countries like Australia and New Zealand, the situation is more similar to the Western world.
The brothers also reflected on the various ways of finding an improved collaboration among the many entities and provinces, and with that in mind, they presented the “Course for Formators in Asia,” organised by the Secretary General for Formation and Study.
During the meeting, the Secretaries also attended the entrance of two novices in the Custody of Saint Anthony of Singapore and the first profession of three others, one from the same Custody, the other two from East Timor. The act was a tangible sign of the vocational growth of the Franciscan Family in Asia. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2008 righe 25, parole 298)
