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Week 5: General Chapter 2008 |
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Chapter 2008
August 11 – Week 5
General Chapter 2008: The Election of the Superior General
August 7-9 were days set aside for retreat and deep discernment as the delegates prepared for one of their most important tasks: the election of the new superior general. As noted on the website during the first week of the Chapter, one of the main functions of the General Chapter is to elect the superior general and to propose to the superior general names of those from whom she chooses her general council.
(Cf. Constitutions § 162.)
This past week the delegates have engaged in an election process, characterized by confidentiality throughout, which consisted of communal discernment, prayer, reflection, nomination and information gathering concerning possible candidates. During the first round of nomination, each delegate wrote as many names as she chose. Lists of all named were circulated. During subsequent rounds, as some names were eliminated, delegates wrote four, then two and finally one name. In between each round there was time for personal prayer and reflection and a period of information gathering, either in the home table groups or, finally, in the general assembly. In addition to group consultation, there was opportunity for one to one consultation.
Finally on the third day, Saturday, those nominated so far spoke to the assembly in turn to share their response to the feedback they had received the day before. After further prayer and reflection, each delegate then wrote one name; these names comprised Nomination List #4, from which delegates would choose the superior general on Sunday, August 10.
Clare Pratt, RSCJ (left) and Kathleen Conan, RSCJ (right)
Clare Pratt, RSCJ, has been the superior general of the Society of the Sacred Heart for the last eight years (2000-2008). She is a member of the United States Province and the fourteenth superior general of the Society after the time of Madeleine Sophie Barat (1802-1865).
The new superior general named August 10, 2008, is Kathleen Conan, RSCJ, a member of the United States Province and the current Provincial. Kathy is the second American named as superior general since the time of Madeleine Sophie Barat and her mandate will be for the next eight years.
The Constitutions of the Society describe the role of the superior general in the following terms:
The Superior General is elected by the general chapter. She has authority over the whole Society and governs according to the Constitutions. She represents the Society with respect to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities. Her principal responsibility is to further the unity and vitality in the Congregation and to keep it faithful to the Constitutions. § 163
She exercises authority and carries the responsibility of government with the help of the general council… Her mandate is for eight years. She must be finally professed for at least ten years. § 164
She can count on the prayer and unwavering support of the Society, and she will find in her council the help necessary for carrying out this important office. She herself must have deep personal integrity, as well as a real capacity for listening and for relating. Generous in her service of the Society and its mission in the Church, filled with a spirit of prayer and discernment, she will be wise and courageous in her decisions and in her manner of implementing them. She will exercise her authority with simplicity, and with gentleness and humility which will come to her from her union with the Heart of Jesus. § 165
The superior general is elected by two-thirds of the votes…. If the person who has been elected superior general is not present at the chapter, she is sent for immediately and all business is suspended until her arrival. § 166
To read more about Kathleen Conan, RSCJ, the new superior general of the Society of the Sacred Heart, click on the link to RSCJ International.
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