The business of the General Chapter is very much underway in Malang, Indonesia.
After the opening ceremonies which included a cultural welcome and Mass, Chapter delegates from around the world heard reports from the General Councillors responsible for the various geographical regions of the Order. Each presentation was followed by small group discussion and then a plenary session reporting on the small group discussions. The General Councillors for Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, Oceania, Australia regions reported on both progress made and difficulties encountered in meeting their 6-year plans. You can read more detailed information here.
The General Chapter turned its attention to the work of the offices in the General Curia and the International Commissions on Friday and Saturday. This includes reports from the Bursar General, the Procurator General, the International Commission for Safeguarding, the International Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation Commission, the International Commission for Liturgy and Prayer, the General Secretariat for Carmelite Laity, the International Commission for Youth. Saturday afternoon saw reports from the Office of the Postulator General, and the Order’s Communications Office, the Institutum Carmelitanum, and the International Commission for Communications. You can read more detailed information here.
During the several days of reporting the Chapter members also had the opportunity to visit various cultural and Carmelite sites in and around Malang. Included in the tour was the Cathedral of Malang. The diocese has had only Carmelite bishops since its establishment as a Apostolic Prefecture in 1927. There was also a visit to Masjid Jamik, the oldest mosque in Malang. It is located in the heart of Malang which is almost 90% Muslim. Not far away is Sacred Heart Catholic church, originally built by the Jesuits but turned over to the Carmelites in 1923. The complex is the site of the original Carmelite provincial office which is being restored to once again house the offices. The group then travelled to Karmel Paranti Jati Prayer Garden and Kolumbarium. This site also contains two residences with one Carmelite community as well as the Padmawlyata Museum, a prayer garden, and the chapel with the tomb of Bishop F.X. Hadisumarta, former bishop of Malang and Sorong and the ashes of many of the Carmelites who served in the province.
The Padmawlyata Museum has displays of items from the early days of the Indonesian missions and a story board explaining the history of the Carmelite in Indonesia.
In the afternoon, students from St Albert’s Carmelite High School welcomed the Chapter members with a Balinese dance. Later the Carmelite students presented a Balinese meditative dance inspired by the ancient Indian epic of Ramayana. The day finished with a festive meal at the Batavia Reso, a vintage restaurant which serves traditional Javanese food.
This week the General Chapter heard reports from the International Formation Commission, the community of the International Centre of St Albert (CISA) in Rome and the General Delegate for Congregations affiliated to the Order. You can read more detailed information here.
Photo: Frs Roque Soares Da Cruz and Paul Cahill - Delegates to the Chapter from our Province
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