Don Stefano Martoglio, the Vicar of the Rector Major, and Don Alphonse Owoudou, Regional Councillor for Africa-Madagascar and the Moderator of General Chapter 29, speaking during a session of the ongoing General Chapter 29 in Turin.
Though it’s a matter of concern regarding the recent data which shows a steady decline in the number of Salesians worldwide, the words of Br. Marco Bay is a source of encouragement to continue the mission for the young. “At the end of 2024, we count 13,575 confreres,” stated Br. Marco Bay. However, he urged the assembly not to be swayed by economic models chasing the myth of continuous growth. “The local level is increasingly more important than the global level because people matter the most,” he added.
The Chapter members dedicated an entire day to an intense and in-depth study of the presentations of various reports. This work session was necessary to comprehensively understand the state of the Congregation and enable the Chapter members to address the issues competently. “Listening to the reports is not enough; it is essential to internalize them, particularly regarding the analyses and strategic direction to be defined for the next six years. This requires overcoming individual perspectives to embrace a collective vision,” said Fr. Stefano Martoglio. He added, “The people we choose to form the new Council and take on the role of Rector Major will not be chosen based on mere likeability but on their genuine alignment with the goals of our shared work.”
The Economer General, Br. Jean Paul Muller emphasized a crucial issue: the need to ensure long-term financial security, accompanied by a commitment to making the Provinces increasingly economically self-sufficient. He said that the allocation of financial resources is mainly directed toward formation and support for the poorer Provinces. These two areas often overlap because vocations grow more significantly in less-resourced regions. “Funds come primarily from Mission Procures and Foundations (Madrid, New Rochelle, Turin, Rome), unfortunately against a backdrop of limited willingness from benefactors to support the internal needs of the Congregation,” explained the Economer General. Therefore, it represents an ongoing challenge in the search for a sustainable balance in resource management and allocation.
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