ASSOCIATION OF THE FAITHFUL FOR THE COMMUNITY OF MULHOUSE
Fr. Maurice Berquet
What reflections led to an association of the faithful for the community of Mulhouse - La Valla?
One of the priorities was the structuring of the group of lay people in Mulhouse committed to perpetuate La Valla and provide a basis for brothers-laity partnership at the level of the province. It was a matter of recognising all the lay people engaged with the community. So it was necessary to find a form of recognition embracing everyone.
We had observed some hesitations at the Institute and province level in particular (just after the fusion) as regards to the place of the laity and the formation of mixed communities. We responded to a call from God to initiate the mixed community.
Since the French part of the province of the Hermitage had no more vocations, it seemed important to us to plan for the future on the basis of an already smoothly running experience.
The La Valla community was (and still is) very involved in the local mission among young people with responsibilities in the pastoral area and a letter of mission signed by the Auxiliary Bishop of Strasbourg on the one hand and on the other of a nature falling canonically under Champagnat Marist spirituality.
Why the choice for a private association of faithful (and not a public one, for example)?
We then studied the different possibilities for recognition, including attaching ourselves to the Fraternities of the Champagnat Movement, which we quite quickly ruled out because of very different objectives and life commitments.
So we then studied the two forms of canonical associations:
The Private Association of Faithful maintains a large degree of autonomy and allows adaptation for evolving needs. It freely appoints those in charge and chooses its spiritual advisers itself; the diocesan authority is confined to verifying that the faith proclaimed is truly that of the Church and that there is no deviation in matters of morals.
The operation of the Public Association of Faithful is more controlled by the ecclesiastical authority. It has to confirm the appointment of those in positions of responsibility. It appoints the ecclesiastical assistant (who is not necessarily Marist).
From experience, do you consider this structure the best adapted to conducting the Marist mission together, brothers and laity? What are the advantages and limitations?
For ourselves, since we have signed a document attached to the canonical statutes which define the bonds, the rights and duties of the community as a private association of faithful and the Marist Province of the Hermitage, we consider this option as particularly suitable for the lay people as well as the brothers presents in the community.
There is one limitation: every private association of faithful is born in a specific diocese and it is its Bishop who becomes its referent.
An advantage: very good insertion in the local Church and so many members have discovered Marist spirituality.
Another advantage: the diocese of Strasbourg has counted on a great involvement of the laity in the mission and the structure of the diocese.
A further advantage: the laity cannot have a religious superior or provincial, even if they say «Our Provincial». The structure clarifies each one’s responsibilities and roles.
This is clearly a step towards the autonomy of the lay Marists.