{"id":15211,"date":"2026-03-10T07:49:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wordpress\/index.php\/2026\/03\/10\/gc29-after-the-elections-discussions-on-regulations-legal-norms-and-the-ratio-fundamentalis\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T07:49:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:49:36","slug":"gc29-after-the-elections-discussions-on-regulations-legal-norms-and-the-ratio-fundamentalis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/2026\/03\/10\/gc29-after-the-elections-discussions-on-regulations-legal-norms-and-the-ratio-fundamentalis\/","title":{"rendered":"GC29 After the Elections: Discussions on Regulations, Legal Norms, and the Ratio Fundamentalis"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header pos-rel\">\n<div class=\"read-details\">\n<div class=\"entry-header-details af-cat-widget-carousel\">\n<div class=\"figure-categories read-categories figure-categories-bg categories-inside-image\">\n<ul class=\"cat-links\">\n<li class=\"meta-category\">\n                             <a class=\"morenews-categories category-color-1\" href=\"http:\/\/localhost\/ingoldsite\/index.php\/category\/gc29\/\" aria-label=\"GC29\"><br \/>\n                                 GC29<br \/>\n                             <\/a>\n                        <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">GC29 After the Elections: Discussions on Regulations, Legal Norms, and the Ratio Fundamentalis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"aft-post-excerpt-and-meta color-pad\">\n<div class=\"entry-meta author-links\">\n<p>                            <span class=\"item-metadata posts-author byline\"><br \/>\n                                            <i class=\"far fa-user-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n                          <a href=\"http:\/\/localhost\/ingoldsite\/index.php\/author\/admin_gp\/\"><br \/>\n              Admin-ING      <\/a><br \/>\n                    <\/span><\/p>\n<p>                            <span class=\"item-metadata posts-date\"><br \/>\n                    <i class=\"far fa-clock\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><br \/>\n                    April 3, 2025                <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"aft-comment-view-share\">\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<p><!-- .entry-header --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- end slider-section --><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-img pos-rel\">\n<div class=\"post-thumbnail full-width-image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"655\" height=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9ec22b0d448d857c119b82727e4f658e_L.jpg\" class=\"attachment-morenews-featured size-morenews-featured wp-post-image\" alt=\"9ec22b0d448d857c119b82727e4f658e_L\" loading=\"lazy\">        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"color-pad\">\n<div class=\"entry-content read-details\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">With the phase of electing the new\u00a0<strong>General Council members<\/strong>\u00a0successfully concluded, the focus now shifts to approving the documents that summarize the high-level reflections of the Congregation, involving\u00a0<strong>Provincials and Delegates from around the world.<\/strong>\u00a0These documents will serve as\u00a0<strong>guiding principles<\/strong>\u00a0for every community, ensuring that the figure of Don Bosco remains relevant, especially for young people who are vulnerable and marginalized.<\/h3>\n<p>With the newly elected members, the\u00a0<strong>Chapter<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>now<\/strong>\u00a0comprises\u00a0<strong>229 participants<\/strong>. The morning session formally ratified the elections of the\u00a0<strong>new General Council members<\/strong>\u00a0through the approval of last week\u2019s minutes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Spirit of Faith, Hope, and Pastoral Charity<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fr. Fabio Attard, Rector Major<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong>\u00a0expressed gratitude to the assembly, stating:\u00a0<em>\u201cWe thank our merciful God for guiding us, so that we may always remain open to His call. What has happened so far in GC29 is something truly heartening and propels us forward. It is a gift to our beloved Congregation: a spirit of faith, hope, and pastoral charity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reviewing Key Deliberations and Proposals<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The assembly reviewed\u00a0<strong>10 deliberations and 5 proposals<\/strong>, presented by\u00a0<strong>Fr. Luca Barone<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong>\u00a0which were later put to a vote. The outcome showed\u00a0<strong>openness to well-developed regulatory aspects<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong>\u00a0while proposals requiring changes to the\u00a0<strong>Constitutions<\/strong>\u00a0did not achieve the required\u00a0<strong>qualified majority<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Key decisions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Clarifying the Nature and Responsibilities of the Curatorium (Deliberation 18)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>The Chapter discussed the role of this governing body and who holds ultimate responsibility for its decisions.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Advance Planning for Extraordinary Visitations (Deliberation 19)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>It was proposed that these visitations be scheduled as early as possible, ensuring full involvement of all members of the Province and integrating them effectively with regular regional activities.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Methodology for General Visitations (Deliberation 20)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>The proposal sought to refine the methodology to enhance preparation, ensure a synodal approach, and address specific challenges.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Responsibilities of the Vice Provincials (Deliberation 21)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>Following the model of the\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>Vicar of the Rector Major<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>,<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0Vice Provincials should also handle matters related to religious discipline, allowing the Provincial to focus on his pastoral role as a father.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Child Protection and Congregational Responsibility (Deliberation 25)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>The GC29 reaffirmed the full commitment of the Salesian Congregation to the protection of minors.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Minimum Community Size Requirement (Deliberation 26)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>A new guideline allows the establishment of a community with a minimum of\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>four consecrated confreres<\/em><\/strong><em>, responding to declining numbers in some Provinces or the need to open new missions.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Commitment to Youth in Vulnerable Situations (Deliberation 27)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<em>The Chapter approved comprehensive measures to ensure Salesian works and services prioritize young people facing\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>economic, emotional, and spiritual poverty<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Legal Norms and the Ratio Fundamentalis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While deliberations were finalized in the early evening, discussions on legal and structural aspects\u2014presented by\u00a0Fr. Pier Fausto Frisoli, Procurator General of the Congregation\u2014were referred to\u00a0six commissions\u00a0for further review in the afternoon session.<\/p>\n<p>The session concluded with a presentation on the\u00a0<em>Ratio Fundamentalis<\/em>, the Salesian formation framework, developed over the past six years through\u00a0Council meetings, questionnaires sent to Salesian communities, focus groups, and studies by specialized commissions.<\/p>\n<p>Fr. Ivo Coelho, outgoing Councillor for Formation,\u00a0explained that the\u00a0GC29 is not being asked to vote on a specific resolution,\u00a0but rather to express a position based on a request from\u00a0Rector Major Fr. \u00c1ngel Fern\u00e1ndez Artime. He emphasized the guiding principle of the document, encapsulated in Don Bosco\u2019s words:\u00a0<em>\u201cStrive to be loved.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>Ratio Fundamentalis<\/em>\u00a0highlights the importance of\u00a0lifelong formation\u00a0and sees mission as an integral part of formation.\u00a0Fr. Coelho\u00a0reminded the assembly:\u00a0<em>\u201cLet us be attentive to what happens within us during our apostolic work. This is Pope Francis\u2019 invitation, and thus the Ratio Fundamentalis serves as a tool for pastoral accompaniment, helping us truly experience the values of the Salesian vocation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item-metadata entry-meta author-links\">\n                                    <\/div>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" aria-label=\"Continue Reading\">\n<h2 class=\"screen-reader-text\">Continue Reading<\/h2>\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"http:\/\/localhost\/ingoldsite\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/rector-major-celebrates-holy-mass-with-gc29-south-asian-provincials-and-delegates\/\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"em-post-navigation\">Previous:<\/span> Rector Major Celebrates Holy Mass with GC29 South Asian Provincials and Delegates<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"nav-next\"><a href=\"http:\/\/localhost\/ingoldsite\/index.php\/2025\/04\/03\/italy-inauguration-of-the-renovated-mary-help-of-christians-square\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"em-post-navigation\">Next:<\/span> Italy \u2013 Inauguration of the Renovated Mary Help of Christians Square<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GC29 GC29 After the Elections: Discussions on Regulations, Legal Norms, and the Ratio Fundamentalis Admin-ING April 3, 2025 With the phase of electing the new\u00a0General Council members\u00a0successfully concluded, the focus now shifts to approving the documents that summarize the high-level reflections of the Congregation, involving\u00a0Provincials and Delegates from around the world.\u00a0These documents will serve as\u00a0guiding&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gc29"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15211"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15211\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/donboscoguwahati.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}