PCO7 IN A NUTSHELL

PCO7 ended on Saturday, March 27, 2004. There were about 60 Capuchin brothers present at this Plenary Council of the Order from all parts of the world. For those of us, who were able to be present for the PCO, perhaps the most memorable part of the four weeks together in Assisi will be the experience that WE ARE INDEED A UNIVERSAL, COMMON BROTHERHOOD. During the first two weeks, the Council members listened to diverse presentations. After the presentations, they met in their individual small groups to discuss them and to begin the process of the formulation of the propositions for the VII PCO. The final two weeks of the PCO were devoted mostly to work in the four small groups with occasional Plenary Sessions. As the Brothers worked on the formulation of the proposals, it became clear that while we are a common brotherhood, we are not a common brotherhood with the same ideas or the same perspectives or the same ideologies. We have a common ideal of minority and of itinerancy, but not a common vision of these ideals. We are one, but different. This became evident in the diverse working groups. We are Italians, Spaniards, Brazilians, Africans, Indians, Indonesians... We are also Western Europeans, Eastern Europeans, North, South, and Central Americans, Asians, Oceanians... We have diverse languages and cultures from diverse regions of the world. Our challenge today is similar to the challenge of the apostles after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension – the presentation of the one gospel of Jesus with a universal, common brotherhood and sisterhood but in diverse languages, cultures and worldviews. All of us have two eyes, but these two eyes see things with a certain communality but from diverse perspectives.

CPO7 began a process of formulating a more common vision of these ideals for our Order. Through the Open Forum, the Brothers from the diverse parts of the Order were offered a new beginning to join their delegates at the PCO in the discussion of the diverse topics. Hopefully, for those of you, who participated in the process, you will continue to share your suggestions on how we can improve this new method of communication with each other in future PCOs and conferences. Our website is more than a data base of information. It is also an excellent opportunity for us to animate our life and the Order throughout the world. In this way, more and more Brothers will be able to experience our universal, common brotherhood in their own friary and in their own part of the world and to share it with each other within and outside of the fraternity. In this way, PCO7 will become a living water for our time nourishing the thirst throughout the world.

By the end, there were over seventy propositions formulated by the Council members. At the final vote, they rejected four of them. Now, the Redaction Committee will study these proposals. The actual number and numbering of the proposals will be done by the Redaction Committee. Then, they will present them to the general minister and the general definitory for their consideration and approval. They will decide which proposals to promulgate to the entire Order. The date for the promulgation of these proposal probably will be some time after the June Definitory meeting. PCO7 ended with a beautiful liturgy at the Basilica of St. Clare. The main celebrant at the closing liturgy was Br. John Corriveau, general minister, assisted by Br. Joseph Nacua, general definitor and President of the PCO7 Preparatory Commission and Br. Aurelio Laita, vicar general. Br. John’s inspirational homily is a first step for the implementation of PCO7’s major themes of minority and itinerancy in the fraternal life of the Brothers in the Capuchin Order. The entire homily will be published on the website after it has been translated into diverse languages. The Basilica of St. Clare was a fitting place for the final liturgy of PCO7. The Poor Clares and especially the Capuchin Poor Clares throughout the world joined us in prayer for a successful completion of the PCO. Likewise, it is the place where the actual crucifix hangs that spoke to Francis. It continues to echo the voice of the crucified Savior to Francis and to us, Capuchin Brothers and Capuchin Sisters throughout the world: Brothers and Sisters rebuild my church with your Franciscan charism and especially your common brotherhood and sisterhood. You must truly be my lesser brothers and sisters in the world.

This final report on PCO7 would be incomplete without a mention of another group of important officials at the PCO. Br. Gandolf Wild, general organizer of the pilgrimages, and many other aspects of life during the PCO. Br. Massimo Rosina was the vice-Secretary. Brothers Štefan Kožuh and Luca Genovese were the recording secretaries. The technicians were Brothers Mario Piaia, Ivacir Sinigaglia, and Luciano Lampert. Br. Antonisamy Arockiasamy was the official photographer and journalist. Br. Julian Haas was the webmaster for the CPO’s website. Top Row -- L-R: Brothers Štefan Kožuh, Luca Genovese, Gandolf Wild, Luciano Lampert, Ivacir Sinigaglia andLuciano Lampert; Bottom Row -- L-R: Julian Haas, Antonisamy Arockiasamy, Massimo Rosina, and Mario Piaia.