Friday, August 22, 2014

Figure of a Capuchin




This is an article which was sent to me by one of my friends, who is a religious, penning about his his personal experience of the members of his congregation. I have adapted to our fraternity. This may sound negative picture of friars but i am sure you will agree with me. You can use it for your animation of the fraternity.
INDIVIDUAL CAPUCHINS
            Our men have become more secular, individualistic and addicted to modern gadgets and facilities (Gadget gurus). There s more dependence on modern inventions than discernment, and Capuchin spirituality
 We tend to be narrow-minded with greater emphasis on “My work,” “My ministry” and “touch me not” attitude.
            Mediocrity has crept in as opposed to Magis. The ‘Capuchin Availibity’ willingness to go/do anywhere/anything for the glory of God is not found in many.
            We do not seem to be serious about our vows
            Money, gifts, donations are received by individuals but there is no accountability.
AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL (can be applicable to the province as a whole too)
            We indulge in a lot of criticism especially back biting.
We lack the courage to face each other, speak frankly and strike a healthy relationship. In the same way, we feel jealous of others successes and fail to appreciate and acknowledge them. This leads to a lot of negativism and cynicism.
            The superiors lack courage to care-front those friars who err. On the other hand, the subjects too do not take the authorities seriously. Local superiors are bypassed by the members of the community with regard to important decisions. There is a crisis in leadership. Good governance is missing at various levels.
            Too much mobile gossip and yet lack of communication between friars and provincial, Superiors.

AT THE PROVINCE LEVEL:
            We are neither men of prayer and deep spirituality nor do we show by our deeds and behavior. Our provinces is ‘financially rich but spiritually very poor’
            A ghetto mentality. Ethnicity and other forms of like minded groups destroy the unity that we experienced as Capuchins.
            The provinces have lost the spirit of pioneering. We are now busy maintaining and institutionalizing rather than venturing into new and innovative apostolic priorities.
            Lack of unified vision as capuchin provinces
            There are persons in the province who promote an individual or a group damaging the unity of the members as a whole. There are “God Fathers” in the province.
            There is need of revisiting formation, revitalizing it and make it relevant to the signs of the times. The end product is the reflection of the formations process.
We also need credible formators who set an example to the young Capuchins.
We are covering a large geographical area with numbers dwindling as years go by.
There needs to be more financial accountability.
For the last few years Evangelization thrust is not being seen as the goal of the capuchin friars.
Vocation promotion is become job of vocation promoters and not all the friars, some places it is not given priority
No importance is given to promote vocations to the brotherhood.
Villages seems not to be on our agenda. The people of remote villages do expect the Capuchins to contribute to their growth and development.
QUALITIES EXPECTED FROM THE PROVINCIAL and councilors.
1. First of all he should be a deeply spiritual person, committed to the capuchin charism and the Church. Discerns and prays before decisions are made. One who is led by the Spirit rather than other considerations like pressure groups, ethnicity, god fathers and friends. Be ready to journey alone and become unpopular if needed.
2. The provincial and councilor should keep abreast of what is happening in the secular social-political-economic world to know its trends; as well as know the province its works and its men.
3. He should love his men, be a healer of wounds, and take personal care of persons. At the same time should be courageous enough to care-front persons, reprimand them and take timely action against erring friars.
4. A person who can foster a vision for the province. Should have courage to close down institutions if need be, and open new apostolic ventures after due discernment.
5. An efficient administer as he needs to mange human, material as well as financial resources of the province.
6. He inspires trust, to whom we can confide in without fear of information being leaked out. Confidentiality inspires trusts.
7. Promotes individual initiatives without giving into individualism. Also promotes leadership among the friars.
8. Good communication skills required. Flow of communication from the province to friars in fraternity should be smooth and constant.


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