UISG Bulletin 179/2022

The themes of interculturality, synodality, and the abuse of power are the subject of this Bulletin N. 179.

These are themes that challenge consecrated life to be present, sustaining, and prophetic where women and men seek release from poverty and fear. These are also areas that offer the leaders of religious institutes the chance to walk together and collaborate in unison. Thus they can make an effective contribution and create a valid alternative to the indifference and egotism that increasingly mark today’s society, and thereby furnish a visible sign of witness to the Gospel and transparency of God as we help to construct the Kingdom.

Interculturality, Leadership and Vows: Liability or Richness

Sr. Patricia Murray, IBVM

Amid the growing diversity in religious life leadership must ask “are there brothers and sisters among us who whisper and even shout “I can’t breathe, we can’t breathe” because they feel marginalized culturally? Are we not called to examine the radical implications of what it means to live as an intercultural community? How are leaders to lead an exploration of the meaning of the vows in today’s multicultural world? Are we not being called “to discover the dignity of difference and celebrate it?” If we can demonstrate to the world that we who are culturally diverse can live and work together, then we can be a prophetic sign of hope in today’s world.

Potential Challenges for Interculturality in African Society and Religious Life

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF

In identifying the dynamics of intercultural living, it is vital to understand and acknowledge culture not just as what makes us different, but as the common denominator – because no person is without culture. Intercultural training will undoubtedly help women religious to learn ways to cultivate healthy relationships and together build intercultural communities but learning alone will not transform these communities. Members of the communities will be required to have intentionality, tolerance of ambiguity, mistakes, a forum for venting frustrations without judgment, appropriate correction, and genuine attentive listening, encouragement, and compassion.

Synodality in the Catholic Church

Sr. Anne Béatrice Faye, CIC

Today, the voice of the Church is composed of many different voices and the Synod is a time of grace where the unified and coherent message is diversity and plurality. In other words, synodality is about discerning how the Spirit moves through and with the Body of Christ, so that we can continue to fulfill our mission of evangelization in the world. In this context, this Synod is relevant to discerning needed reforms in the Church.

Naming the Unnamed. What Is Conducive to Abuses of Power and Conscience in Consecrated Life?

Ianire Angulo Ordorika, ESSE

In Religious Life, as such, there is a breeding ground for abuses of power and conscience. This statement does not imply that they occur per se, but rather that in this vocation there are circumstances that are much more conducive to it than in other areas or in other ways of following Jesus Christ. In what follows, we will briefly explain these elements that interrelate and facilitate such abusive situations. To do this, we will divide them into specific elements of Religious Life, specific elements of individuals, and elements that concern group dynamics.

Changes in Canon Law dealing with Abuse

Fr. Benoît Malvaux, SJ

The revision of Book 6 of the code of Canon Law, which deals with criminal law and its consequences in the matter of abuse, is a complex question that I am going to attempt to present in as clear a fashion as possible. First, I shall locate this revision within the context of the evolution of thinking in the Church as regards criminal law. Next, I shall present the new norms regarding abuses and the penalties with which they are sanctioned. Lastly, I shall offer some brief personal thoughts regarding the implementation of the new system.

Read the UISG Bulletin 179/2022