“United to be dispersed” (Jesuit Constitutions, no 655). This was what characterised the recent Vietnam Jesuit Province assembly, held to gain a deeper understanding of the decrees of General Congregation 36 and how they can be applied in the life and mission of the Jesuits in Vietnam. They came together before rowing into the deep of their ministries.
Fr Hung Pham SJ, who was a GC 36 delegate, opened the three-day gathering with sessions on the decree on Jesuit life and Mission, and the decree on Governance. His discussions provided the context for the assembly to discern the movements of the spirit and share their thoughts and feelings in small groups.
As a way of renewing Jesuit governance in line with the GC 36 decree, Fr Michael Truong Thanh Tam SJ gave an overview of Jesuit governance in general, including different planning methods. The participants were encouraged to raise questions and share their personal thoughts. Then Fr Peter Truong Van Phuc SJ, Province Delegate for Apostolic Work, presented the five-year (2016-2020) revised Apostolic Plan for discussion in the context of the different ministries.
The assembly also studied the document on “Policy and Protocol on Cases of Sexual Abuse in Pastoral Activities”, under the guidance of Fr Joseph Tran Si Nghi SJ, Province Chairperson for Pastoral Ministry, and Province Consultor Fr Peter Nguyen Duc Tri SJ. The Vietnam Jesuits also considered the “Guidelines for Local Superiors” and the “Relationship between Local Superiors and Work Directors” which were presented by Fr Joseph Pham Tuan Nghia SJ, House Consultor of the Epiphany Community Residence in Ho Chi Minh. Finally Vietnam Provincial Fr Vincent Pham Van Mam SJ addressed the assembly and introduced two new ministries.
The meeting was not only a time for discussion and updating, but also an opportunity for the Jesuits in Vietnam to be together as one large community. Each day of the meeting, held from July 26 to 28, began with a communal prayer and closed with a Mass.
On the last day, Bishop Cosma Hoang Van Dat SJ, Prelate of Bac Ninh Diocese, joined them for an advance celebration of the Feast Day of St Ignatius. He led the celebration of the Mass and shared his thoughts and feelings about his life as a Jesuit and a bishop to his Jesuit companions.
“It was necessary for us to pause and reserve a space for God, before taking the next step in our service to God,” said Fr Thaddeus Nguyen Van Yen SJ, adding that the timing of the assembly made them more conscious of St Ignatius and his early companions in their conversations. “It helped strengthen our spiritual brotherhood,” he said.
