Minority, Councilors, Initial Formation, Custodies and Vicars

A little more than a week ago, Bro. Steve Greco made a comment on one of my posts from General Chapter asking for information about the content of the Constitutions that we are renewing. It was very difficult then to describe a lot of it, because the direction of most debates was very uncertain. Well, lots of things were decided this week.

Probably of great interest to our Capuchin brothers still in initial formation is that the definition of Capuchin formation was changed. Constitution 23,4 (the number will change later) will now read: "Formation in our Order is implemented in two phases: initial and ongoing. Initial formation includes initiation into consecration according to our form of life, lasting until perpetual profession, and preparation for work and ministry, which may begin during initiation. Ongoing formation follows initial formation and is life-long." While this wording extremely pleases the Italian-speakers in the order, it will prove confusing for English-speakers until they get used to it. Part of the problem for English-speaker is that "initiation" and "initial formation" will too easily seem like the same thing. Let me try to explain.

"Initiation" is now the term describing what the Midwest Capuchins used to describe with the term "initial formation." Initiation begins with postulancy and ends with perpetual profession. It focuses on becoming a Capuchin with all the rights and obligations of any friar. However, since preparation for work or ministry is generally not completed at the time of perpetual profession, the new constitutions envision the friar's initial formation to continue until that initial professional training is complete. So, obviously those studying to be ordained priests do not complete initial formation until their ordination as priests. Likewise, friars studying to be teachers or counselors or social workers will not complete initial formation until the basic required training for those professions is complete.

So Initiation begins with postulancy and ends with perpetual profession. Initial Formation begins with postulancy and ends with the completion of initial preparation for work or ministry.

This will require a change in language and attitude among Midwest Capuchins. We're used to thinking that a man is out of initial formation after perpetual profession. That mentality will be challenged by the new constitutions. However, it's also fair to note that the Formation Council of the province has recently become more concerned about formation between perpetual profession and the completion of work or ministry preparation. Maybe there is a confluence of ideas going on here.

Midwest Capuchins might feel vindicated in a different change of terminology. The body that advises a general or provincial minister used to be called a "definitory" and the persons making up the definitory "definitors." For decades now, many language groups have complained that these words have no natural meaning for them. This general chapter has changed the name of the group to "council" and the people to "councilors." The Midwest Capuchins have done this for decades.

A big change in structure and terminology demands a complicated explanation. Until now, the structure of the Capuchins comprised provinces, vice-provinces, and custodies. There also are delegations and presences, but they are not considered circumscriptions of the order. The preparatory commission for this general chapter was bothered by the fact that many vice-provinces are not under the authority of a province at all, but rather the general minister. This makes the term rather non-sensical. The commission's solution was first to raise all custodies to the rank of vice-provinces, thus giving them slightly more rights such as representation at the general chapter. But then to eliminate the terminology problem, the commission recommending calling all these vice-provinces "custodies."

I know. It seems like we're playing mind games. But the solution attempted to use terms that make sense and reflect Franciscan history (Early Franciscans called these groups "custodies."), while giving them all slightly more authority. However, it's always hard to change terminology that carries hidden meanings as well. This is particularly felt by vice-provinces that feel like they are demoted to being custodies, even though they have all their old powers. Still, one newly created vice-province told of how it had a big celebration upon becoming a vice-province. Now, six months later, it's called a "custody" again. Now that this issue is settle, it will be inserted into chapter 8 on government and go up for approval this afternoon.

There was also some drama today. Even before chapter, yours truly was working to change the name of chapter four on poverty to include the Franciscan value of minority. The whole process is too long to describe here. But against the predictions of many, the choice actually made it to the very final stage of approval for chapter four. The amendment read, "Shall the chapter change the title of chapter four to 'Our Life of Poverty in Minority'?" The vote came in at a 85-85 tie. Because the amendment required an absolute majority it failed. A tie is not a majority. The entire chapter with the original title went on to be approved in its entirety.

Personally, I considered the vote a bit of a justification, even if I was disappointed the amendment did not carry. Many, early in the process, said this idea had no legs, that it was not that great a concern of the order; that the proposal of the preparatory commission would be impossible to overcome. Well, I figure that a tied vote shows that there is a great deal of interest in the value of minority and how we talk about it in the order. Anyway, we can all go home now and live our minority regardless of how we voted on the title.

One last item involves the general vicar. You might think of him as the vice president. Currently, the general vicar is elected from among the eight councilors (This chapter actually changed the number to 9.). The preparatory commission was proposing that the general vicar be elected immediately after the general minister and that he not represent any particular geographic area of the order. Instead, he would reside  in Rome working mostly on behalf of the general minister who is often absent from Rome. The idea had only luke-warm support and went down in a preliminary vote on issues related to government. It seems the capitulars don't like the idea of a vicar hanging around Rome too much. They're afraid he'll interfere too much in other people's jobs. Also, many seem to believe the election of councilors give the chapter a natural nomination slate for vicar. I'm sure some also had other reasons for their vote. Now, the status quo regarding the vicar will be inserted into the text of chapter 8 on government to be considered by the chapter for approval this afternoon.