Dear Brothers,

The Chapter is on the last segment of its work: debating and approving texts . As of this writing, votations on the works of the commissions on Mission and Economics are already done. The plenary work has never been dull. Exciting debates, unexpected calls for point of order, applause (when voting results is all positive), laughter and humor punctuated the sessions. Expressions of impatience and unneccesary comments added "more life" to the process. The text on Mission went through 6 sessions and that on the Economics 3 sessions. Here are some of the exciting issues that either drew a lot of debates or in a sense new:

On Mission: 1. Men and women in mission together: Its introduction describes not only the rational but also the emotional aspects of both the lack and desirability of male and female complementarity in preaching. At one point it asks for pardon from the sisters for the brothers' destructive or condescending attitude towards them. The most debated issue is the proposal to the Order to study and to broaden the theological and ecclesiological dimensions of the theme of preaching and its link to the question of the ordained ministry. Of course, this is to be done while remaining respectful to the Magisterium. 2. Mission in Asia. Here one finds an introduction on the context of Asia and the challenges it presents to the Order. It recommends in particular the holding in Asia of an international congress for the whole order on the theme of dialogue with the world's major religions. It also places interest on the call for collaboration for the Order's mission in the Middle East and Melanesia. 3. Mission in the Countries of the former Soviet Union. The delicate matter in this area is the dialogical approach of mission that is in tune with the predominant presence of the Orthodox Church in the area. 4. Intellectual Mission. In this section one can see what and where in the world do we have important and specialized centers of studies. The most innovative text .is the internet mission of the Order and in concrete, an internet university on the humanities and theology. And the most controversial one is the proposal to study the role of some members of the Order in the injustices of the past (inclusive that of the Inquisition).

On Economics: There is one provision that is formation-friendly and in favor of poor entities,namely, that the expenses for the pre-novices is tax deductible. The point that drew a lot of discussion is the term limit for the provincial syndic. I t is decided that he could not be re-appointed for a third successive term unless he gives his consent in writing to the Master who may dispense him. Two more new things are provided: that ethical norms for investment and savings be established in every province, and that professional fund-raisers be tapped for St. Dominic Fund. The rest are the usual declarations of approval of financial reports , of subsidies to the poor regions of the Order, and of the expenses of the chapter.

We shall have tommorow the presentation and votation on the text of the commission on Dominican Family. As our commission is done with its work we are tasked by the steering committee to look into the question of the vocation of the cooperator brothers. It is hoped this can still be addressed by the chapter this time

Kindly pray more for us as we are about to wind up our work. My best wishes to all.

Fraternally,

Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P.

© 1998 Order of Preachers  General Chapter, 1998  Internet site by Scott Steinkerchner OP  email: steinkerchner@op.org