Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

SM NZ Chapter votes ‘no’ to reconfiguration

Marist Fathers NZ 2016 Chapter
Society of Mary New Zealand 2016 Provincial Chapter

The New Zealand province of the Society of Mary is meeting in Chapter 3-8 July.

A major issue for consideration is the reconfiguration of the Asia district, and Australia and New Zealand provinces into one province.

The issue of reconfiguration with Australia was initially voted on eight years ago, New Zealand voting “yes” and Australia saying “not yet”.

For the last year or so, and at various levels, the whole New Zealand province engaged in a process leading to its 2016 Chapter making a decision on this matter.

The main topic of day two of the Chapter was reconfiguration and early Tuesday evening the Chapter issued the following statement.

“The Chapter of the New Zealand Province of the Society of Mary has voted 17-1 against the above proposal to form a new province with the Province of Australia and the District of Asia.

A restructured province is too unwieldy, would range over a vast geographic area, cover four different legal jurisdictions, be too demanding on administrators and will not produce new energy for mission. There are also too many financial and legal risks.

“We did this seriously and prayerfully, conscious of the impetus for reconfiguration given by a series of General Chapters, and the desire of the General Administration for structural change to address our diminishment as a congregation.

“We felt that the suggested restructuring, which would cover a vast geographic area and four different legal jurisdictions, is unwieldy, and overly demanding on those elected to govern and administer the proposed new province. It is hard to see that it would produce new energy for mission and ministry.

“Further arguments expressed in the Chapter sessions included concerns about financial and legal risks in the present political climate and the disproportionate amount of work to address problems that were fundamentally administrative.

“While opting against this particular proposal, the Chapter strongly recommits the New Zealand Province to the ends and purposes of the Society of Mary in the Asia Pacific region including cooperation with the Province of Australia and the District of Asia.

“We are aware of the many common enterprises that have characterised our history and the warm friendships that bind the Marists of our region together. We will continue to work together and explore new ways to collaborate in ministry.”

Two weeks ago the Australian Provincial chapter voted 15 – 4 in favour of reconfiguring with Asia and New Zealand.

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