International Association of Catholic Missiologists

 

STAUTORY SESSION, IACM BUSINESS & ELECTIONS

Saturday, October 2, was dedicated to the IACM business and elections.

After hearing the reports of the President, Fr. John Gorski, on the state of the Association, of the Executive Secretary, Fr. Francis A. Oborji, and the reading of the financial report sent by the treasurer, Sr. Madge Karecki, there was general discussion on the future priorities for the IACM.

There was also formal acceptance of the Acts (minutes) of the Founding General Assembly (2000) and of the periodical reports which the Executive Secretary had already sent to all IACM members.

Thereafter, the Assembly proceeded to the election of the new Executive Board.

Members of the election commission were: Dr. Frans Dokman, Fr. Gustavo Piedrahita and Sr. Bertilla Keum-Ok Park.

The following were elected as officers of IACM for the next four years (2004-2008):

1. President: Rev. Fr. Dr. William La Rousse, MM (USA/Philippines)

2.Vice President: Rev. Fr. Eleazar Lopez (Mexico)

3. Executive Secretary: Rev. Fr. Dr. Bertrand Roy, PME (Canada)

4.Treasurer: Dr. M/s. Luisa Melo Leyton (Chile/Italy)

Continental Representatives:

5.  Africa: Rev. Fr. Dr. Silvester Arinaitwe Rwomukubwe, AJ (Uganda)

6.      Latin America: Rev. Fr. Dr. Joaquin Garcia, OSA (Peru)

7.      North America: Rev. Fr. Nicanor Sarmiento, T., OMI (Canada)

8.      Asia- Oceania:  Rev. Fr. Dr. Lazar Thanuzraj, SVD (India)

9.      Europe: Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Steffen, SVD (Germany/Italy) 

8. GENERAL DISCUSSION

            a) Collaboration between IACM and IAMS: During the Assembly’s general discussion, a question was raised about the nature of the relationship between the IACM and the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS). It was explained that IACM is not in opposition to IAMS and that there are other Associations of Mission Studies. Indeed, there is a need for us to look at ourselves as a Church: The things achieved and of course, mistakes made. Another thing is how do we communicate or transmit the fruit of our missiological research. This is a trust in IACM which is often not stressed in some other organizations. For this and other reasons, IACM has a right to exist! It was also stressed that the richness of the IACM could be seen by the fruits that were enunciated in the themes discussed in the previous and present encounters, symposia, congresses, etc. Furthermore, the fact that in this Cochabamba Assembly, the major paper from Europe was not from a Roman Catholic but a Russian Orthodox Catholic, demonstrates the “universal” perspective of the IACM. The name of IACM already stresses the “Catholic” nature of the Association.

It was also noted that from IAMS there is a strong desire for collaboration with IACM. In fact, it was stressed that IAMS does not harbor any anxiety on the formation of IACM. However, this does not mean that there are no areas to clarify. The aim of what we discuss is the world – the world that will open itself to Christ. Let this reflect in the suggestions we are making for modus of working. Mission is bigger than the church and churches, and working together is part of it.

Again, It was stressed that the fact that so many Catholic missiologists from all continents indicate a positive desire to communicate and work together with others in this discipline is of course very positive. Ten or twenty years ago there was no structural support for this. Hundreds of persons acquired graduate degrees in missiology and then “disappeared.” Now the IACM offers a way for them to associate, collaborate and thus contribute to qualitative progress in this theological specialization. The clear Catholic identity of the IACM is a feature that attracts those who look for theological solidity without secularist vagueness, modernistic functionalism or post-modern reductionism. 

b)      Collaboration between the IACM and Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

A question was asked about the nature of relationship which IACM has with the office of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP)?

It was explained that IACM exists for the purpose of promoting missiological research, studies and educational activities and encouraging collaboration among Catholic missiologists. In addition to this, the Association is at the service of the missionary activity of the Church. This is the primary basis of  its relationship with the Missionary Office of the Church (the Propaganda Fide). Moreover, at its formation stage, IACM received a great support from the Congregation. Since then, the Association has maintained a cordial relationship with that Vatican Office. However, this relationship is based on the desire of both bodies to promote research in mission studies and thereby contribute in the missionary activity.

It was also stressed that in these days in which we emphasize dialogue, there is need to have a closer relationship with such Congregations like the CEP that promote mission studies and are engaged in constant dialogue with those involved in the actual missionary activity of the Church. This does not mean that we have to depend on them but that we need their experience in our mission research and education just as they need ours. Missiologists cannot pretend to do it alone! They need to do it along with others.

c) The relationship between missiology and theology:

There was also a question about the relationship between missiology and theology. This question was answered by examining who is a missiologist? A missiologist is seen as one who has knowledge of culture – a complete knowledge of the cultural context, situations, etc. A missiologist is one who has the expertise to distinguish the diverse areas of study and publications in mission studies.

It was noted that one of the problems today is the method of theological research – the study and knowledge of how the Holy Spirit is operating in diverse cultural realities and ambient of the Church! With what soteriology are we working?

The fundamental of Christian theology is theological methodology. The time calls for studies of diverse cultural contexts. Missiology cannot pretend to do it alone. It needs to work along with other theological disciplines. Mission theology is developed from each particular context and from there the overall Christian theology and mission are enriched. This is the inter-disciplinary role of missiology in theological education and research.

d) Future program and priorities:

These are already reflected on the reports of the Workshop Encounter and the President’s address.  In addition to that, it was expected that we should have our points clarified all the more and get the papers and deliberations of this Cochabamba meeting published. Furthermore, members were requested to put down their names in one of the formed thematic study groups.

Members agreed that we could share the fruits of the groups’ studies through the IACM Newsletter and internet website (yet to be developed). On the last point, Fr. Joaquin Garcia volunteered to assist in the web net-working for the group works. Regions when they meet, can also decide on how they will promote the ideals of the IACM.

Collaboration among ourselves and with other missiological associations was once more highlighted. It was suggested that in future, IAMS and IACM should rethink holding congress on mission by the two Associations in the same year. At this point, the Assembly was informed of the upcoming European Missiological Congress in Paris, France in 2006.