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MI International Council Jan. 19 -21, 2011, Bologna, Italy
The council was held at the Mother House of the Fr. Kolbe Missionaries in Bologna, Italy. Each council member gave a brief review of the ministry they were involved in for the MI. Some of the more important topics that were discussed was the relationship of the Conventual Franciscan Order with the MI which was founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan and the MI which is now a Public Association of the Faithful. Like all relationships, this one too is a growing and evolving one. There were three main issues that dominated the three day meeting, 1.) The structure of the MI, 2.) Formation in the MI, 3.) Finances.
A discussion of the Structure ensued about the role of an MI center, what is a center and should there be continental, national, regional and local centers and what is a City of the Immaculate? The role of the national center and how national centers are determined was discussed. It was acknowledged that for smaller countries, requiring 5 local centers in order to have a national center is not realistic. As the current Statutes of the MI are being reviewed this will be taken into consideration. For now, continental centers were not accepted as it is already difficult and time consuming to care for a country let alone a continent.
Formation was then discussed. That there was a lack of unity of the MI and formation throughout the world was a concern. A basic manual was thought to be needed that would give a common identity and understanding of the MI. All preparation for Consecration should off a Life of St. Maximilian, a history of the MI, theology of Consecration and an explanation of the consecration prayer. It was noted that one can be consecrated immediately but that one should not be enrolled in the MI without a basic consecration class as stated above.
Finances for the International Center have always been a concern as there is no regular income and the center is totally dependent upon the generosity of national centers and individual MI members. It is hoped that this can be alleviated by making the needs of the International Center known to the wider membership.
Lastly the worldwide MI was divided into regions among the members of the MI International Council to better assist in communication and meeting the needs of the local MI.
Bro. Louis Schmid OFM Conv. is responsible for Australia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and New Zealand.
Fr. Patrick Greenough OFM Conv is responsible for USA/Canada, Great Britain/Ireland, English speaking Africa, Southeast Asia and Nepal.
Fr. Piotr Cuber OFM Conv. is responsible for Pland, Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Czech, and Slovakia
Br. Francois Godefert is responsible for Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, French Canada, French Africa, French Polynesia, and France.
Raffaell Aguzzoni FKM is responsible for Italy, Croatia, Slevenia, Romania, Bosnia, Malta, Sweden, and Germany.
Fr. Sebastiano Quaglio OFM Conv is responsible for Brazil, Portugal, Angola and South America
Fr. Francisco Diaz Valdez OFM Conv. is responsible for Spain, Mexico and Central America
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