Rex Salvilla, cicm
Vicar General
When I was the Provincial Treasurer of the CICM RP Province, I visited a confrere in a parish. He was building a multistorey dorm for the elementary school children. The dorm was 70% accomplished, but no one knew when and how it should be finished. One does not need to be a structural engineer to assess the structure as a safety hazard. It was a cause for concern for any sensible person. I asked him if he had a building permit, an electrical permit, a plumbing permit, etc. Nothing. I asked him about his plan to raise funds when he started the construction. Nothing. I suggested to him not to let any child sleep in that building.
I also told him that adults may use it for meetings during the daytime. I was afraid an accident could happen. I was right. Sometime later, there was heavy rain in the evening. The slope near the building collapsed. The building was seriously damaged (and eventually collapsed). Luckily, nobody was sleeping there that night. What if there were small children inside? Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated case in our Congregation due to the lack of planning and disregard of our CICM policies. We have so many problems connected with construction and repair. As Jesus said: And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out to see if he had enought to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, anyone who saw it would start making fun of him and saying, «Here is someone who started to build and was unable to finish.» (Lk 14: 28-30)
As religious missionaries, our lives are a complex web of interconnected aspects. Spirituality, community life, initial formation, ongoing formation, missionary works, parochial works, and health care influence one another. A healthy community life can positively impact other aspects, while a lapse in one area can have detrimental effects on the others. For instance, a breach in the vow of chastity can undermine missionary work, and a lack of attention to health care can affect everything else.
During my nine years as Provincial Treasurer, I witnessed the Province investing significant resources in confreres who needed spiritual direction, counseling, or therapeutic programs. Some of these interventions were successful, while others were not. However, the key to success was not the institution's reputation or the program's cost but the confrere's personal decision to change for the better. This personal commitment to improvement is the driving force behind any desired change. Without it, no amount of expensive intervention can bring about the desired change.
As Memo #1 on Spirituality (for the preparation of the 16th General Chapter) states in 2021: At times, we fall because of human weakness. The Congregation helps us stand up to regain our direction through, among other things, spiritual direction, counseling, and, when needed, therapeutic programs. But experience tells us that in the final analysis, it is the personal will of the confrere to remain faithful to the vows at matters most. No amount of spiritual direction, counseling, and therapeutic programs can redirect a confrere to the right path without the Holy Spirit and the deliberate cooperation of the concerned confrere. Healthy CICM community life is a good support for each of us to live our vows faithfully.
It is common knowledge in the Congregation that we send confreres for further studies. After having a degree, many are outside the ministries intended for their studies. Some initial plans were changed, if there was any planning at all. Some studies were extended for various valid or invalid reasons. By hindsight, some were unspoken preparation for leaving the Congregation.
As I mentioned, our life in the Congregation is deeply interconnected. Having been exposed to the financial realities of our Congregation for many years, I am acutely aware of the financial repercussions of wrongdoings, negligence, lack of planning, poor management, and lack of seriousness. I have witnessed how resources were squandered. The root cause? Attitude. We have the intelligence and skills to deliver results, but many of us need the attitude of taking ownership of our actions and putting our hearts into our work. Some attitudes are merely compliant, while the worst is the attitude of someone lacking a CICM vocation.
Ordinary people with limited financial resources plan their lives carefully. Responsible people only spend their money on buildings that can be finished. They do not go abroad and then return to their home country when there is a problem. Many migrant workers face challenges and stick through thick and thin because they have no choice. When they pursue a field of study, many ordinary people know where their studies will lead them – as a teacher, counselor, businessman, computer technician, plumber, welder, or auto mechanic. They put their heart into their action. They value their endeavor.
Dear confreres, let us put our hearts into what we do. Let us own our missionary project, our policies, our ministry, and the specific activities we do. By doing so, we can avoid mediocrity and mere compliance and prevent the waste of our valuable resources. Let's strive for excellence in all our endeavors. §
