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Addendum 1: (1) We propose reconfiguring the International Commissions by combining the International Commission for Culture and the International Commission for the Study of the Charism and the Spirituality of the Order. The International Culture Commission and the International Commission for the Study of the Charism and the Spirituality of the Order (Charism and Spirituality) appear to have the same basic purpose: the study and promotion of the charism and spirituality of the Order. A few other tasks, assigned to these Commissions since the last General Chapter, seem more appropriate to the International Formation Commission. Since the last General Chapter, there was some duplication of roles. For example, the International Culture Commission met to discuss its topics which were then discussed a second time by the Administrative Board of the Institutum Carmelitanum with only a slight change in membership. Eventually the two groups just met together in a single meeting. The Carmelite Institutes around the world would be the appropriate place to have topics such as those covered by the International Commission for the Study of the Charism and Spirituality of the Order discussed. Yet there is no formal link between the Commission and the leadership of the Order’s Institutes. Valuable projects, such as the Spiritual Directory and the on-going formation courses, occur without any formal connection to the Order’s Institutes. It was the International Culture Commission and the Administrative Board of the Institutum Carmelitanum which worked to provide networking among the Institutes. However, the initial effort to bring the Institutes together received a dismal response, we believe, because there was no project to create energy around networking. We see a necessary link between formation and culture and would recommend that the heads of either International Commissions serve on the other commission. We would also recommend that the praeses of the Institutum Carmelitanum serve on both International Commissions to provide the academic resources necessary. (2) We propose making the Delegate for Culture responsible for the promotion of higher studies by members of the Order. We believe that, as an Order, we are not promoting the intellectual life of the Order sufficiently in order to be prepared for the future. Since the last General Chapter two strategies were carried out by the International Culture Commission, primarily through the efforts of the Delegate for Culture, to encourage advanced studies by members of the Order: (1) pro-actively encouraging, primarily through the Delegate for Culture, students and their Provincials to pursue advanced degrees, (2) conducting a “needs assessment” beginning with a survey of the Provinces to see what members have advanced degrees and in what areas. Both strategies had limited success. In order to strengthen this critical area of the health of the Order, we propose appointing a member whose primary responsibility would be to (1) identify the needs of the Order in this area, (2) work with formation directors and provincials throughout the Order to identify students capable of higher studies, (3) monitor and encourage students involved in higher studies. These three tasks, while the primary responsibility of the Delegate for Culture, do not preclude the person for being involved in some other work or ministry. However, that ministry would have to be very flexible in its time commitment so as to allow the person to visit formation houses through the Order. Perhaps the title “Delegate for Culture” no longer
fits the role of that individual. We would suggest “Delegate for Advanced
Studies” or “Regent of Advanced Studies”. Members of the International Culture Commission Michael Plattig, O. Carm. |