The Timor-Leste Region of the Province gathered in Assembly from 2-4 September at São Elias community in Hera.
The Assembly was attended by all Solemnly and Simply Professed Carmelites in the Region together with Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) and Fr David Hofman (Secretary, Preparatory Commission 2016 Provincial Chapter).
The Assembly was facilitated by Australia Marist Brother, Tony Clark.
In his opening address Fr Denis Andrew drew attention to the rapidly changing membership of the Province. Members are young and growing in Timor and older and diminishing in Australia.
Not only is there a need to expand the number of ministries in Timor, there is also a need for Timorese brothers to support ministires in Australia. Therefore, decisions now need to be made about the future gorwth and development of the whole Province. The Provincial Assembly held in June, he said, asked that all Solemnly professed members of the Province discuss these issues at the Provincial Chapter to be held in April 2016.
Following reports from Fr Bruce Clark (Regional Prior), Br Antonio Oliavio (Director of Projects, Zumalai), Fr Manuel Almeida Da Costa (Parish Priest, Zumalai) and Fr Paskalis Patut (Regional Bursar), Br Tony Clark led a process of defining priorities for the future.
The final version proposes that Timorese brothers be trained for formation ministry (training of new Carmelites), academic ministry (to teach theology, Portuguese and English), in spirituality ministry (retreat giving and spiritual direction) and for ministry in Australia.
In addition, investigation into taking a new parish in Timor and establishing a spirituality ministry will be undertaken.
These proposals have been sent to the Provincial Council.
In dealing with the revision of provincial legislation regarding Timor-Leste, Fr David Hofman said it was important that any new statutes reflect the changing nature of the Province.
Perhaps the time had come, he said, to abandon the idea of Timor-Leste being a separate region of the Province and to emphasise the emerging reality of one Province of Carmelites living and working in two countries.
Various proposals reflecting this idea and integrating existing statutes for the Timor-Leste Region with the general statutes of the Province were discussed and refined by members of the Assembly.
These proposals will now be sent to the Preparatory Commission for the 2016 Provincial Chapter for consultation and further discussion in the Province.
