Rome, Italy. The 3rd Board of Director’s Meeting of the Theological Institutes of Consecrated Life (TICL) convoked by Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF President of the Board, took place on June 18-19 at the General Curia in Rome. The convoked participants were: Frs. Samy Canilang, CMF (Representing ICLA, Quezon City, Philippines), Xabier Larrañaga, CMF (Director ITVC – Claretianum, Rome), Carlos Martínez, CMF (Director ITVR, Madrid), Peter Okononkwo, CMF (Chairman of the Steering Committee TICLA, Abuja, Nigeria), Michael Plamparamil, CMF (Vicedirector SICL, Bangalore), José Felix Valderrabano, CMF and Manuel J. Arroba Conde, CMF (Giuridicum, Rome), George Lanithottam, CMF (Executive Secretary TICL, Rome). Fr. Salvador Agualada, CMF (ICLA, Manila) was present on the first day as special invitee of Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, Superior General. Father General himself was present for the entire proceedings of the opening day animated by Fr. Friedrich Bechina, FSO, the Undersecretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

During the first day, Fr. Henry, in his speech, gratefully remembered the service our Institutes render to the Church, and highlighted the importance of the present meeting that focused on the apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium (VG) and the opportunities it offers to our mission. In his inspiring and motivating address, Fr General recalled that it is worth spending time and energy to offer our mite to the empowerment of the 800,000 consecrated persons in the Church remembering the good they do in the world. He asked the members of the Board to share “passion, vision and strategies” for the same, “focusing the gaze” to discern the challenges and to perceive the opportunities to promote a holistic approach, scientific study and research on consecrated life, not only in the confined ambience of our academic centers, but reaching out where the consecrated persons are engaged in their mission.

Rev. Fr. Friedrich Bechina, the key resource person of the meeting, parted from the testimony how he came to know of the “hidden” service the Institutes of Consecrated Life run by the Claretians offered to the Church. He wished that the incredible richness of the courses and initiatives of these Institutes in favor of the consecrated persons be made known more for the good of the Church. He presented the possibilities the apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium (VG) open for the same, especially taking into account the inter and trans disciplinary nature of the study of consecrated life. A committee was formed for a deeper study.

The Second day of the meeting was dedicated to sharing of information on the current activities, prospects and also the concerns of the member Institutes, in which, towards the end of the morning session, Frs. Carlos Julio Rozo and Antonio Santillán, CMFF of the newly established Institute of Consecrated Life for America (ITVCA Bogota, Colombia) also participated via Skype. Fr. Henry complemented by sharing information on the two initiatives of the Claretians in Sri Lanka for the benefit of the consecrated persons in the country.

The Meeting concluded with the approval of the Statutes of the Board of Directors for the next triennium.