North East leaders look for a vibrant future
Innovations in multiplying leadership among religious who can bring about Good Governance is a felt need of the religious congregations.
Religious Congregations taking on to Good Governance is a great leadership initiative for the Church and society in North East, said Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, inaugurating an important gathering of the Major Superiors.
North East Regional Consultation on Good Governance in Religious Congregation with the theme on “Innovations in Animating leadership” was held from 4-5 May, 2012 at N.E Diocesan Social Forum, Guwahati represented by 51 religious leaders of 32 congregations of the region.
Welcoming the unique gathering, Sr. Milly Fernandes UFS, the Regional President of CRI, said that such initiatives by the religious leaders can make the Church in North East a greater witness to the values of the Gospel.
The Archbishop brought home the reality of religious life today stating “Many congregations which had origin in Europe and flourishes there have now Indian or Asian superior generals or general councillors, and many of its members are Indians. In order to revitalise religious life innovative leadership is considered very important and CRI have been conducting leadership conferences at regular intervals.
He concluded saying “Let us follow the rule of love professed and lived by Jesus. Let our dioceses, congregations and institutes be ruled by compassion and love, consensus, transparency and participation and be homes where children of God live together”.
Some of the proposals brought out by the participants on various aspects of religious life based on good governance were:
- Participatory decision making at all levels, involving every member.
- Consensus method of decision making is an ideal to be pursued but it is a long process, need training and orientation to this method. It needs lot of spiritual preparation and dying to one’s own ego.
- Transfer of decision making to the stakeholders in all areas of life and mission is a process that needs new learning and new structures. It is a challenge to the leaders of today.
- It calls for a paradigm shift in leadership functioning and authority service.
- Maximum utilization of Human and material resources is an objective of great importance.
- There is a need for clear cut policies to be prepared and followed for the project approval and implementation
- We are to be accountable and transparent to the public regarding our vowed life in all its dimensions.
- The policies for various apostolates should be made and existing policies to be evaluated and renewed. It should be made known to all, especially the stakeholders.
- There should be written policies for recruitment and formation and training of members. Arbitrariness and authoritarianism are sources of corruption.
- The participative structures of our ministries have to be increased and made effective their process and results.
- The use of technology is of great help in putting in place the characteristics of Good Governance.
Since Good Governance is a global process involving all sections of society we need to network with others to learn and improve our system.
The major superiors sought various strategies to carry forward the initiatives and make Good Governance a way of life for the religious in India.
The Consultation was conducted by a National Team composed of Sr. Karuna, Fr. John Peter and Bro. Mani Mekkunnel.
Sr. Mercy, the Regional Secretary of CRI who organised the important event expressed satisfaction with the enthusiastic response of the Superiors.
Source: CRI
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