Connecting with Chile and Bolivia

UNITED WITH CHRIST IN MISSION

A SECOND TWINNING AGREEMENT OF BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN THE PROVINCES OF MARYLAND AND BOLIVIA

Context

The 34th General Congregation in its decree 21, International and Supraprovincial Cooperation, finds the foundation of cooperation between Jesuit Provinces in the international character of our mission which is born from the very roots of our Charism.

As we link the universal Ignatian perspective with the growth of global consciousness in today's world, we are obligated to urge a greater and better practice of international and supraprovincial cooperation. The, same decree recommends "brotherhoods" (twinnings) as "an increasingly effective instrument for mutually enriching exchanges between provinces."

Our Provinces, Maryland and Bolivia, belong to two nations, each with a strong personality and cultural, social, and economic characteristics, which are very different from one another. Each country and both Provinces are marked with great resources, gifts and talents. These blessings are readily evidenced in their diverse peoples, their rich cultures and histories and in their natural beauty. The gifts and blessings of the Creator are also present in the lives and witness of the Jesuits who serve there, in partnership with many other dedicated lay Christian colleagues and people of good will. The relations between the two nations are also marked by social, economic and other forms of inequality, which also characterize worldwide relations between the North and the South.

Within this context, the Jesuits of both Provinces have taken up the challenge of solidarity, to build relationships based on a mutual understanding, an appreciation and a respect for our differences, and effective fraternal charity. This solidarity between us has become a prophetic sign for today's world, by its concrete openness to universality overcoming inequality and prejudice.

With this spirit the Maryland and Bolivian Provinces seek to continue their relationship of brotherhood, which will help them put in practice the recommendations of that same general congregation to "foster an attitude of universalism" among Jesuits of both Provinces. These recommendations refer in particular to:

Formation: "As far as possible, Jesuits should receive a part of their formation in another culture."

Permanent Formation: "...every Jesuit should have such opportunities" (to experience the universal character of the Society).

Facility in Languages: "...Jesuits in formation will learn English; those whose mother tongue is English will learn another modern language of global significance, to be determined by the cultural context in which they live. As far as possible, Jesuits who have completed initial formation are encouraged to follow the same principle."

Being sent on mission to another culture: "The ideal of Jesuit universalism is that every Jesuit should be available for assignment anywhere in the world."

Governance: "For the effective living-out of our universality, it is essential that (...the provincials establish a) true and productive cooperation among themselves."

In order to concretize this twinning, Father James Stormes, representing the Province of Maryland, and Father Ramon Alaix, representing the Province of Bolivia, having heard their respective Consultors, update their agreement of 1995, as follows:

1. Mutual Spiritual and Community Support

Both Provinces will work to establish growing connections of friendship in the Lord by means of prayer and intercession. As a sign of practical solidarity among communities of both our provinces, we will seek to twin Jesuit communities with Bolivian Jesuit Communities in terms of mutual prayer, small programs of support and other forms of exchange.

2. Formation

2.1. The Province of Maryland continues to be interested in sending Jesuit students to Bolivia, especially to learn Spanish (taking advantage of the Institute of Languages of Maryknoll in Cochabamba), and for experiences during the summer months. The Province of Bolivia is especially interested in sending Jesuit students to the USA to learn English and for graduate studies (in Theology and other academic disciplines).

2.2. Each of the Provinces will take responsibility for the Jesuit students which the other Province sends as they do their own students, especially in all that refers to personal guidance by Superiors and Spiritual Directors and integration into Community life. There will be a special care to help those students come to a lived understanding of the culture of the country and of the apostolic works of the Province.

3. Ongoing Formation

Considering all that has been said regarding Formation, we agree that, in the measure in which it is applicable, formed Jesuits can be sent to the other Province for study.

4. Apostolic Interchanges and Partnerships

4.1. Each Province will offer to its members apostolic experiences in the other, for a period of time to be set, especially for sabbatical years. The Provinces will offer opportunities for interesting apostolic work with the necessary level of personal support for 'the visiting Jesuits. During the period of this agreement, each province will make its best efforts to place 2 men in pastoral assignments of three years each.

4.2. We will also encourage twinning agreements between apostolic works, communities and parishes in the two provinces as follows:

4.3. We will seek to make it possible that the experience of twinning will reach also to lay men and women who participate in our spirituality. For example, we will encourage a relationship between Jesuit international volunteers and the VOSI of Bolivia, between Christian Life Communities in each Province, and among other similar organizations.

5. Economic Support

5.1 Each Province will give to the members of the other the same economic treatment as its own members.

5.2 Given the respective economic realities, the Province of Maryland will assist the Province of Bolivia in the consolidation of its Arca Seminarii.

5.3 The Province of Maryland will explore ways of being of assistance to the Arca Previsiones of the Bolivian Province.

5.4 Through its Community Development Investment Fund, the Maryland Province will seek to increase its support to social development projects sponsored by, or strongly endorsed by, the Bolivian provincial in areas where the society is present.

5.5 The two provinces will work together so that the Bolivian Province may become financially sustainable and independent.

6. Communication between Provincials

6.1 In order to encourage better understanding and to create more adequate programs, the Provincial or his delegates will make periodic visits to the other Province.

6.2 Both Provincials will maintain a fluid communication so as to concretize decisions and to propose new initiatives within the spirit of this brotherhood.

7. Duration and Renewal of the Agreement

This Twinning Agreement will last for five years. Both Provincials will revise the terms of the Agreement at the end of five years from the date of its signing. At that point the accord may be reaffirmed in the same terms or in new ones as seems most appropriate for the greater glory of God.