Straight into the actual situation of the canadian religious Congregations, there is the question of the leadership and governance of institutes. Who will ensure the animation, direction and management of the communities, their homes and their works?
Our Executive Director, Fr. Alain Ambeault csv, accompanied by Sr. Bonnie MacLellan sjssm, is in Rome this week to discuss these issues with representatives of the English-language national Religious Conferences, as well as with the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
As early as the fall of 2020, a Leaders’ Circle of CRC members highlighted the urgency of addressing the need for people who are ready and able to take on leadership responsibilities. The 2021 consultation on this topic revealed that congregations in Canada were among the most aware of these issues but needed skilled resources. To review the results of this consultation: https://crc-canada.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-06-15-webinaire-sur-la-gouvernance-version-pdf.pdf.
Since this consultation, the CRC has been contributing to further reflection within continental and international organizations. Last October, Father Ambeault presented to the members of the English-speaking Canadian constellation of the International Union of Superiors General, the successes of some communities in creating collaborative projects between institutes and new governance structures.
Here and elsewhere, religious congregations are redoubling their efforts to embrace the future with hope.