ANS News ROME, FEBRUARY 1, 2009: The Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, with a letter 
dated January 31, 2009, presented to the Salesians Congregation the “Project for Europe.” As pointed out by Pope Benedict XVI in his two messages to the 26th General Chapter and by the Chapter itself, Europe is now one of the new frontiers on which to “re- launch the Salesian charism.” The drawing up of the “Project for Europe,” begun immediately after the General Chapter, followed a very precise programme. In summer 2008 Fr Chávez co-involved the Provincials of Europe and their Councils in an enquiry in which starting from their own circumstances, they were asked to reflect on how to revive the Salesian witness and mission in the contin
ent. The European Provincials suggested priorities, proposals for forms of collaboration and ways in which to coordinate the Project. The replies were used to produce a “Working document,” which was studied during the meeting of the European Provincials held in Rome from November 27 to 30, 2008. The reflections and the proposals which emerged were given to the Rector Major and the General Council who drew up the “Project for Europe.” In the last few days Fr Chávez has appointed the members of a Commission for the Project for Europe with Fr Francesco Cereda the Councillor for Formation as the chairman. The Commission will have the task of identifying the objectives and the strategies of the Project for Europe, of defining them in terms of results that can be evaluated, of encouraging and monitoring the implementation of the Project. Every six months the Commission will meet and then report to the Rector Major and to the General Council. At the end of the winter plenary session the General Council approved the “Project for Europe” which is now being consigned to all the Salesians so that it may be shared by the whole Congregation.
dated January 31, 2009, presented to the Salesians Congregation the “Project for Europe.” As pointed out by Pope Benedict XVI in his two messages to the 26th General Chapter and by the Chapter itself, Europe is now one of the new frontiers on which to “re- launch the Salesian charism.” The drawing up of the “Project for Europe,” begun immediately after the General Chapter, followed a very precise programme. In summer 2008 Fr Chávez co-involved the Provincials of Europe and their Councils in an enquiry in which starting from their own circumstances, they were asked to reflect on how to revive the Salesian witness and mission in the contin
ent. The European Provincials suggested priorities, proposals for forms of collaboration and ways in which to coordinate the Project. The replies were used to produce a “Working document,” which was studied during the meeting of the European Provincials held in Rome from November 27 to 30, 2008. The reflections and the proposals which emerged were given to the Rector Major and the General Council who drew up the “Project for Europe.” In the last few days Fr Chávez has appointed the members of a Commission for the Project for Europe with Fr Francesco Cereda the Councillor for Formation as the chairman. The Commission will have the task of identifying the objectives and the strategies of the Project for Europe, of defining them in terms of results that can be evaluated, of encouraging and monitoring the implementation of the Project. Every six months the Commission will meet and then report to the Rector Major and to the General Council. At the end of the winter plenary session the General Council approved the “Project for Europe” which is now being consigned to all the Salesians so that it may be shared by the whole Congregation.