The members of ECLA, which consists of the Major Superiors of five Claretian Organisms of Europe, the provinces of Germany, Poland, Sanctus Paulus, Fatima and Santiago, met in the provincial curia of Germany, in Wurzburg, a city of Bavaria, 120 kilometres from Frankfurt, on the 13th and 14th of December 2022.
The first day of the meeting discussed on the Organizational matters. Thus, all the work done in previous encounters were re-read in favour of a re-elaboration of new statutes of ECLA, modifying points that needed to be updated. Trying to be realistic and seeking to simplify the structure – without ever losing sight of ECLA’s objectives – several proposals for changes were made. Finally, the new statutes were unanimously approved at the beginning of the second day and are being presented to the different provincial councils to contribute to the growth of the congregation. Once this process of listening and shared discernment has been completed, they will be offered to the General Government for approval.
The election of the new ECLA leadership was another highlights of the meeting. Thus, at the beginning of the second day, a vote was taken which resulted the election of following members: Fr. Carlos Alberto Candeias, Major Superior of Fathima as the president of the conference, Fr Piotr Bęza, Major Superior of Polska as vice-president and Fr. Adolfo Lamata, Major Superior of Santiago as ECLA secretary. The rest of the meeting focused on the coordination of actions between prefectures and areas of government, on the preparation of common events during the course and on a fruitful dialogue on the criteria of community life.
The meeting also agreed to create a commission to draw up the strategic lines for the mission in Europe, using the methodology considers most appropriate and taking into account all the work done so far. The need to create this commission arose during the meeting with the general government in Nairobi. For a better functioning of the commission it was agreed that the commission will be made up of one member from each of the European organisms and Fr Manuel Tamargo, The General Prefect of Economy will act as representative of the general government. Thus, this commission will begin its work after Christmas, with a view to the next meeting of the provincial governments of Europe with the General Government in Vic, in December 2023.
