The 46th General Chapter of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools took place in Rome, Italy, at the Generalate from May 1-22, 2022.
Documents of the 46th General Chapter
Experiences of the 46th General Chapter
The autumn 2022 issue of De La Salle Today features experiences, impressions and hopes from participants at the 46th General Chapter. The magazine also introduces the new Superior General and Council, along with offering thanks to the Superior General and Council who served from 2014-2022.Read the expanded responses here >
Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, Elected Superior General
Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, was elected Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools on May 18, 2022, at the 46th General Chapter in Rome. Brother Armin served as Visitor of the Lasallian District of East Asia (LEAD) since May 2019. Read the announcement from the Institute >
Watch Brother Armin’s message >
See highlights from Brother Armin’s inauguration >
Brother Carlos Gómez, FSC, Elected Vicar General
Brother Carlos Gabriel Gómez Restrepo, FSC, from the District of Bogotá, was elected Vicar General for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools on May 19, 2022. In 2021, Brother Carlos was appointed president of Ethiopian Catholic University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following his service as Visitor of the District of Bogotá since 2016. He served for many years in a variety of higher education roles.
Read the announcement from the Institute >
Brother Chris Patiño, FSC, (SFNO) Among General Councilors Elected
Brother Chris Patiño, FSC, from the District of San Francisco New Orleans (SFNO), is among five Brothers who were elected as General Councilors for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools on May 20, 2022, at the 46th General Chapter in Rome. The Councilors will serve with the newly elected Superior General and Vicar General.
Updates from the General Chapter
Stay updated with the latest from the 46th General Chapter through various resources. Access pictures here >
Message from Brother Jorge Sierra, FSC
Brother Jorge Sierra, FSC, coordinator of the 46th General Chapter, shares a message about the final week of the Chapter and looks ahead to the next steps that follow the gathering. Watch his video >
Audience with Pope Francis
As part of the 46th General Chapter, an audience was held with Pope Francis on Saturday, May 21. Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, newly elected Superior General, read a message to the pope, and Pope Francis encouraged the group to continue evangelizing and educating. He said, “We are aware that the world is experiencing an educational emergency. The educational pact is broken … We must seek a new pact that is communication, working together.” Read the story in Vatican News. Read the pope’s full remarks. Read Brother Armin’s message to the pope.
Daily Updates from the Generalate
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools shared official news, briefings and updates throughout the General Chapter. See daily recaps, stories, photos and more.
Reflections from Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC
Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, RELAN General Councilor (2014 – 2022), shared daily reflections on the events of the General Chapter on his General Councilor’s page.
Reflections from Brother George Van Grieken, FSC
Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, secretary of the Lasallian Research and Resources Service at the Generalate, shared reflections of his experiences during the General Chapter. Brother George also serves as director of the Lasallian Resource Center.
Read his reflections on his blog>
Read his reflections as a PDF >
Report of the Superior General
Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, Superior General (2014 – 2022), delivered his report on May 4 at the 46th General Chapter.
A Commitment to the Global Compact on Education
Brother Robert signed a commitment to the Global Compact on Education on behalf of the Lasallian family as part of the 46th General Chapter. A video released on May 5 offers an introduction to the Global Compact, a message from Brother Robert, the signing, examples of how Lasallians have already been responding to the call, and an invitation to get involved.
Learn more about the Global Compact on Education >
AIMEL Proposals Endorsed
The 46th General Chapter endorsed the proposals of the third International Assembly for the Lasallian Educational Mission (AIMEL) on May 5. They address the strengthening, reorganization and promotion of the global Lasallian community and updating the mission’s lines of work in a new “glocal” (connecting local and global) context.
Hear from RELAN delegates who took part in the recent hybrid gathering >
Social Media
See highlights and posts about the 46th General Chapter using #FSC46GC and #WeAreLaSalle on social media.
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube
Background Information
A General Chapter assesses the needs of the Institute and global Lasallian family then seeks creative responses to ensure those needs are met looking toward the future. Typically held every seven years, the Superior General and General Councilors are elected and entrusted with the vision of the Chapter. The first General Chapter was held in 1694 with 13 Brothers, including Saint John Baptist de La Salle.
Themed “Building new paths to transform lives,” the 46th General Chapter will gather 70 capitulants representing the Districts and Delegations of the Institute. Three international gatherings help to inform the Chapter: the 3rd International Assembly of the Lasallian Educational Mission (AIMEL), the 2nd International Young Brothers Assembly (IYBA) and the 4th International Symposium of Young Lasallians (ISYL).
The three primary themes for the 46th General Chapter are:
- association for mission,
- leadership, sustainability and governance, and
- life of the Brothers.
After the General Chapter, the decisions will be published. Leaders in the Regions, Districts and Delegations will determine how to implement the decisions locally.
In this video, Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, RELAN General Councilor, explains more about the General Chapter.
Schedule Highlights
Superior General and General Council (2014-2022)
Joy in Thanksgiving (Phase 1), May 1-3
- Opening ceremony
- Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry methodology
- Retreat day
Boldness in Truth: Discovering (Phase 2), May 4-9
- Reports
- Guest presentations
- Synthesis day
Boldness in Truth: Dreaming (Phase 2), May 10-11
- Group conversations
Strength in Decision: Designing (Phase 3), May 12-16
- Concretizing paths of transformation
- Superior General “sondage”
- Strategies for co-responsibility
Strength in Decision: Elections (Phase 3), May 17-22
- Retreat day
- Election of the central government
- Papal audience
- Approval of final documents
- Closing Ceremony
From RELAN
Capitulants
Brother Michael Andrejko, FSC
Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC
Brother Chris Englert, FSC
Brother Michael Fehrenbach, FSC
Brother Richard Galvin, FSC
Brother Florent Gaudreault, FSC
Brother Nick Gonzalez, FSC
Brother Ernest Miller, FSC
Brother Chris Patiño, FSC
Brother Dylan Perry, FSC
Brother Robert Schaefer, FSC
Brother Robert Schieler, FSC
Invited Consultants and Experts
Alisa Macksey, CIAMEL President
Heather Ruple Gilson, Co-Secretary of Association (RELAN/RELEM)
Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, Secretary of Lasallian Research and Resources
Translators
Brother Michael French, FSC
Brother John Blease, FSC
Other Resources
Learn more about the 46th General Chapter from the Institute.
Read documents for the 46th General Chapter, including the Report of Brother Superior General.