1. In order to be more faithful to the call to “follow the example of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, by preaching the word of God to the poor” (Const. 1), attentive to the signs of the times, and to facilitate wider missionary discernment and decision-making, the Congregation is organized into five Conferences (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.1 and 2.2):

a) Conference of Redemptorists of Asia-Oceania

b) Conference of Redemptorists of Africa and Madagascar

c) Conference of Redemptorists of Europe

d) Conference of Redemptorists of Latin America and the Caribbean

e) Conference of Redemptorists of North America (which includes the English-speaking Region of the Caribbean).

The goal of these new structures is to stimulate a re-awakening of our Vita Apostolica and to prompt a new availability for Mission among all Redemptorists and lay associates, “urged on by the apostolic spirit, and imbued with the zeal of their founder,” “as helpers, companions and ministers of Jesus Christ in the great work of redemption” (Const. 2).

2. The following principles guide the process of restructuring for mission:

a) Principle 1: Restructuring is for Mission.

b) Principle 2: Restructuring for Mission should stimulate a re-awakening of our Vita Apostolica. It should prompt a new availability for Mission.

c) Principle 3: Restructuring for Mission should seek out and accompany the most abandoned, especially the poor. To this end it should be a restructuring within Units and Conferences, and also across the boundaries of Units and Conferences.

d) Principle 4: Solidarity in Mission includes an ability to optimize resources, both human (professed members and lay associates) and financial.

e) Principle 5: Restructuring for Mission requires association among Units, always searching for a common way forward.

f) Principle 6: A vital part of our Mission, both historically and in our time, is theological reflection rooted in spiritual and pastoral experience. New deployment of our theological resources is essential to the challenge of restructuring for Mission today.

g) Principle 7: Participation and Co-Responsibility: the restructuring process will involve all Redemptorist confreres and lay associates, and in some way all those people in the midst of whom we exercise our Mission. For this, a process of conscientization will accompany the Process of Restructuring (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, Principles).

3. The Conference, established by the XXIV General Chapter, is a structure of the Congregation embracing a certain number of Provinces, Vice-Provinces, Regions and Missions. The confreres and their collaborators join their efforts to better promote the mission of the Congregation in the whole territory of the Conference, in accordance with general and particular law.

The following Profile describes the nature and role of the Conferences (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 6.1-6.11):

The pastoral challenges of our time demand a structure which facilitates wider missionary discernment and decision-making. The Conference provides such a forum, thus avoiding the tendency toward provincialism while still taking local needs seriously. In this manner, the Conference assists the General Government in its governance of the Congregation.

The structure of the Conference will enable a more effective realization of the mission of the Congregation. The Conference provides a forum for collaboration in the areas of apostolic priorities, missionary initiatives, personnel, the establishment of international and inter-Provincial communities, formation, finances, etc.

The Conference will provide security for fragile Units as well as an appreciation and development of particular churches within the Congregation. The Conference will provide a setting, in the area of initial and ongoing formation, where current and future generations of Redemptorists will be shaped by a more culturally diverse worldview.

Chapter I: The Missionary Work of the Congregation

4. Fidelity to our Redemptorist charism demands that we continually discern where the most abandoned are, especially the poor, and how we are called to serve them (cf. Const. 1). The Conference provides a forum in which this discernment can be done. Every Conference moved by “missionary dynamism” (Const. 14), determines its pastoral priorities. This discernment should always be made in the light of Const. 5, which states: “preference for situations, where there is a pastoral need, that is, for evangelization in the strict sense together with the choice in favor of the poor is the very reason why the Congregation exists in the Church, and is the badge of its fidelity to the vocation it has received.”

5. The Assembly of the Conference, after dialogue within the Units of the Conference, determines its apostolic priorities. This task requires a periodic evaluation and revision by the Assembly. However, these priorities will always include pastoral concern for those involved and affected by the mass movement of peoples and those who suffer because of human trafficking (cf. Decisions, Principle 3). These apostolic priorities, which correspond to the missionary character of the Congregation, shall be submitted to the General Government for approval (cf. Const. 17).

a) Each Unit will continue to discern and develop its own pastoral priorities in light of its own particular history, its personnel and resources, and its missionary response to local pressing pastoral realities. These priorities will be reviewed at least once a quadrennium by the Assembly of the Conference.

b) The pastoral priorities of any Unit should reflect the pastoral priorities of the Conference as a whole.

6. This process is to be followed in determining the apostolic priorities:

c) First, discern to WHOM we are sent, in the concrete context of the Conference. In other words, who and where are the abandoned, especially the poor – whom the Conference is called to serve.

d) Second, describe WHAT is the content of the evangelization we proclaim within the concrete context of the Conference;

e) Third, determine HOW the Conference is going to respond to these pastoral needs. What strategies and pastoral methods should be used?

7. In developing the apostolic priorities, the process should take into consideration the human and material resources available, the historical and cultural conditions, pastoral methods and traditions of the countries, local churches and Units.

a) Meetings of the members of the Conference should be promoted under the inspiration and guidance of the Coordinator and with the collaboration of the secretariats concerned. They should deal with theological, pastoral and similar branches of knowledge and with the adaptation of methods in the apostolate. Such meetings must be held regularly so as to maintain continuity and stability.

b) To develop the apostolate, it seems very opportune that the Coordinator and the Assembly, in conjunction with the Secretariat dedicated to the mission, should set up particular groups of members to experiment with new types of missionary work. Experiments of this kind should be carried out in collaboration with the local church (cf. Gen. St. 025).

Chapter II: The Apostolic Community

8. Each Unit shall carry out its missionary mandate in cooperation with the whole Congregation (Const. 141). Such cooperation is to be conducted in a spirit of mutual harmony (Const. 142).

9. No Unit should act in isolation. New associations among Units shall be established, always for better service to the mission, overcoming unacceptable rivalries or divisions which can be a source of scandal, and enabling a more fruitful understanding of Redemptorist identity (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, Principle 5).

10. This spirit of solidarity should permeate all dimensions of the life of the Congregation, on all levels of our structures and in the lives of the confreres. This solidarity should be expressed in personnel, administrative, economic decisions and in the whole process of discerning and planning apostolic activities. Special attention should be given to the Units experiencing fragility with respect to human resources.

11. International and inter-Provincial communities provide a striking witness to our common Redemptorist vocation. They are a concrete, necessary means to respond to the pastoral urgencies of the world today. They should be appreciated and supported by the whole Conference. After the discernment of the Conference, confreres should make themselves available to be sent to these communities. The Units will generously share their human resources with the entire Conference.

International communities are established for the sake of mission in accord with the Directives of the General Government. They are sometimes called inter-Provincial communities, though not always. These are communities governed by an agreement that involves more than the host Province. International communities will be under the auspices of the Conference Assembly.

a) The Conference Coordinator, with the approval of the (V)Provincial Council of the host Unit involved, as well as in consultation with the Conference Assembly, may establish inter-Provincial communities.

b) (Respecting GS 0186) Units from other Conferences, with the permission of the Conference Assembly and the host Unit, can establish communities within the North American Conference.

c) Confreres from Units outside of North America are welcome, with the approval of their (V)Provincial Council, to assist in the pastoral mission of the Conference of North America. However, such confreres must be on loan to a particular (V)Province within the Conference. The Conference Coordinator must be informed of these assignments.

d) All confreres who live and minister in the North American Conference are bound to follow the norms for the Ethical Treatment and Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults of the host (V)Province, as well as the local (Arch)Diocese in which they have been granted faculties. The Conference Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with these norms. Any violation of these norms is subject to local civil law requirements. The (V)Provincial of the lending Province of any confrere accused of a violation is responsible for following the protocol requirements of local (Arch)Diocesan and civil authorities.

12. The Assembly, in light of the pastoral priorities of the Conference, will decide where international or inter-Provincial communities might be established and their particular mission. These decisions, along with the reasons for establishing international communities and their program of preparation, should be submitted to the General Government for consultation and approval.

The Conference Coordinator, with the approval of the Conference Assembly, will approach the General Government for permission for Units to establish international communities where there is a pressing pastoral need for such a community.

13. The Conference shall establish an adequate program for the immediate preparation of the Confreres assigned to live and work in international and inter-Provincial communities. The following elements shall be included in the program:

The place and time when the confreres designated for an international or inter-Provincial community are to live together for some time to get to know each other, to plan their apostolic life together, to work out their plan of community life, to learn how to resolve tensions and conflicts, etc.:

a) A facilitator (perhaps a team) to accompany the community in this process;

b) Particular goals to be achieved in the process;

c) Ways of financing this preparation.

The Coordinator is directly responsible for supervising the whole process of preparation. According to the special role outlined in No. 33 of this Directory, he will also accompany these communities in their apostolic life.

14. The Units, communities and all confreres shall develop an attitude of transparency and trust in their mutual relations. For this purpose, the Conference Assembly shall determine the ways in which Units will present to the Conference their situation in the areas of pastoral planning, finances, and personnel resources.

The Conference Finance Secretariat will meet annually with the Conference Coordinator to evaluate the financial resources and needs of the various Units in order to make recommendations to the Conference Assembly.

The Unit Provincials, at their semi-annual meetings, will evaluate personnel resources.

15. The Assembly shall indicate specific ways in which Units, communities and confreres could be involved in actions and events on common and local levels (XXIV General Chapter, Decision 2.7).

It is the primary responsibility of each Unit (V)Provincial and his Council to consult with members and keep them informed of the actions and events of their (V)Province assemblies. At the invitation of the (V)Province, the Conference Coordinator should be welcome to participate in various gatherings and meetings of each (V)Province. The Conference Coordinator is not a voting member of the various (V)Provincial Assemblies, but should be invited to attend, when possible.

16. The Assembly will determine ways of integrating lay people through participation in our life and mission, and ways of exercising their co-responsibility for the mission.

The Conference Coordinator should meet each year with the Secretariat for Partnership in Mission in order to assist the ongoing development of co-responsibility with laity in the mission of the Conference.

Redemptorist Lay Missionaries, Associates, and Collaborators in Mission should meet at least once during each quadrennium. The Conference Coordinator and the Conference Secretariat for Partnership in Mission are responsible for coordinating the meeting.

Quadrennial Conference meetings may be conducted regionally, where appropriate.

Chapter III: The Apostolic Community Dedicated to Christ the Redeemer

17. Restructuring for Mission is a call to individual and communal conversion and to a profound renewal of our Vita Apostolica in all its dimensions. This conversion is a challenge to all Redemptorists, irrespective of age (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, Principle 2).

18. Religious profession makes every Redemptorist available to the whole Congregation and not only to a particular Unit. Hence, confreres should overcome any attitude of provincialism, which closes them within the limits of their own Units. Every Redemptorist should esteem the cultures of others, recognize cultural limitations and give evangelical countercultural witness.

19. Religious profession calls Redemptorists to a new availability. This requires them to leave secure and comfortable places and lifestyles for the sake of the mission (cf. Const. 15).

20. The Coordinator of the Conference, with the help of appropriate secretariats, will promote and provide opportunities insofar as possible,

a) For common inter-Provincial retreats and days of reflection;

b) To help confreres grow in a deeper understanding of our common Redemptorist vocation, mission, spirituality and charism;

c) To review their lives in interaction with confreres from different Units and countries;

The Conference Secretariat for Spirituality, under the direction of the Conference Coordinator, will oversee the development and implementation of these programs.

Chapter IV: Formation of the Apostolic Community

21. Initial formation is a significant dimension of the Vita Apostolica of the Congregation. It should be shaped by the international character of the Congregation. It must help and challenge the candidates to grow in their sense of belonging to the whole Redemptorist family. It should stir in them availability for mission that goes beyond the borders of their native Units. For this reason:

a) Formation programs shall include elements of preparation for the international mission, for example: studying foreign languages and other cultures, meeting with confreres from other Units, living in international or inter-Provincial communities;

b) As far as possible during their initial formation, the candidates shall have an experience of life in another Redemptorist Unit or country.

Gatherings of all students in the Conference for prayer, study and recreation is an important value of the North American Conference. The Conference is blessed with students from many cultures and nationalities. Such gatherings foster a deep appreciation of various cultures, as well as the commonality of the Redemptorist vocation. The Conference Secretariat of Formation will plan these gatherings.

Units within the Conference are highly encouraged to welcome Redemptorist students from other Units, both within and outside the Conference, to foster the values expressed in this Statute.

22. To achieve a better quality of formation and to avoid dispersion of its resources and strength, the Conference will establish adequate structures, especially at the level of the Novitiates, Theologate and immediate preparation for perpetual profession (cf. Const. 142).

a) The Conference determines the number of common Novitiates that will be established in its territory. Any common Novitiates have their proper directories.

A common Novitiate for the North American Conference is located in Toronto, Ontario Canada. All (V) Provincials and Regional Superiors of North America, whether or not they have Novices in the Novitiate, are encouraged to participate in the meetings of the Inter-Provincial Novitiate Board.

Units outside the Conference are welcome to send Novices to the North American Conference Novitiate. Invitations will be extended by the Conference Coordinator; admission to the Novitiate will follow the norms of Canon Law. (V) Provincials or their delegate(s) of Units sending Novices to the Novitiate are welcome to participate in Inter-Provincial Novitiate Board meetings.

It is recognized that due to reasons of rite, language, and culture, Units in the Conference may establish their own particular Novitiate, with the approval of the Conference Assembly.

b) The Conference determines the number of common Theologates that will be established in its territory. Common Theologates have their proper directories.

The Conference seeks to have a common Theologate. The Conference Coordinator, in conjunction with the Conference Assembly and in consultation with the (V)Provincial Councils of the Units and the Conference Secretariat of Formation, will work together to bring this goal to fruition in a timely fashion.

It is recognized that due to reasons of rite, language and culture, Units in the Conference may establish their own particular Theologate, with the approval of the Conference Assembly.

c) In addition to directories proper to each house of formation, the participating Units will provide joint management through a common agreement overseen by a Board composed of representatives from participating Units.

d) The Conference organizes adequate programs for the immediate preparation for perpetual vows. Insofar as possible, this shall be realized as a common project of the various Units in the Conference.

23. Special attention shall be given to the selection and preparation of formators. Units shall select the confreres most suitable for this task. The appointment of formators shall have precedence over other appointments. The Units, through their Formation Secretariats, jointly choose formators for international and inter-Provincial formation communities. They shall jointly guarantee means and opportunities for the ongoing formation of formators, using local resources, the means proposed by the General Secretariat for Formation, the Center for Redemptorist Spirituality, and other resources.

24. The Conference shall establish joint programs for the ongoing formation of all confreres. They will use the means proposed by the General Secretariat for Formation, the Center for Redemptorist Spirituality, and other resources. Special attention shall be given to the period of transition to ministry, i.e., the period of the first five years after perpetual vows or ordination.

Chapter V: Government of the Apostolic Community

First Section: The Structure of the Conference Article 1: Members of the Conference

25. The Conference is an intermediate structure between the General Government and individual Units. It includes all Redemptorists who live and work within its borders (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.1).

26. The Units of the Conference are: the Provinces of Baltimore, Denver, Edmonton-Toronto, Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupré, and Yorkton; the Vice-Provinces of Richmond and Vietnamese Ex Patriam; and the Region of English-speaking Caribbean.

There are confreres on loan to or within Units in North America. These confreres are full members of the North American Conference during the period of their service in the Conference.

Article 2: The Assembly of the Conference

27. The Assembly is the decision-making body of the Conference. It is the function of the Conference Assembly to:

a) Determine the apostolic priorities of the Conference and revise them in accordance with the missionary character of the Congregation;

b) Propose, amend, authentically interpret or abrogate the Conference Statutes;

c) Propose three candidates for the office of Coordinator to be presented to the General Government.

Besides these, the Statutes may determine other tasks and competencies of the Assembly, according to its situation.

28. The Redemptorists of a Conference are represented in the Assembly by:

28.1 Representatives with voting rights:

a) General Consulter(s) from the Conference;

b) Coordinator of the Conference;

c) (Vice) Provincial, Regional Superiors, and members of the O(V)PCs and ORC of the Units;

d) One Vocal elected at-large within each Unit;

e) At least one Brother shall be a member of the Conference Assembly. If no Brother is elected as a Vocal, at least one shall be appointed. The Coordinator will make the appointment after consulting with the members of the Conference Assembly.

28.2 In accordance with the following provisions:

a) Each Unit within the Conference shall determine how its Vocal is selected. The term of the Vocal is to be decided by the Unit. If the Vocal resigns from office or has to be replaced, the Provincial Council shall determine how the replacement Vocal is to be selected.

b) Units outside the North American Conference that have recognized established communities of perpetually professed confreres serving in pastoral ministry within the Conference at the beginning of the quadrennium are entitled to a Vocal with voting rights at the Conference Assembly. The Provincial Council of the sending Unit will decide how their Vocal is selected.

c) If possible, twice a quadrennium, the Conference Assembly will meet in such a way as to coincide with an opportunity for one of the semi-annual board meetings of the North American Inter-Provincial Novitiate Board.

d) When the Superior General participates in the Conference Assembly, he is always the President of the Assembly and has voting rights. Lay associates and other persons without voting rights may be asked to serve in the Conference Assembly. The Conference Assembly issues such invitations.

e) Particular consideration should be given to ensuring that at least one lay person who is a member of the Conference Secretariat on Partnership in Mission participates in the Conference Assembly.

29. At the Assembly, a two-thirds majority vote is required to propose, amend, authentically interpret or abrogate the Conference Statutes. In other matters, an absolute majority of votes is sufficient, unless the contrary is stated in the common or proper law (cf. Gen. Stat. 0141).

30. The Statutes of the Conference, as well as decrees proposed by the Assembly, which pertain to the subject matter of the Constitutions and Statutes, cannot be promulgated until they have been approved by the General Council (cf. Gen. Stat. 0142).

31. The Conference Assembly meets annually. It is convoked by the Conference Coordinator. The Secretariats of the Conference will meet at least once a year, or more often if needed.

Article 3: The Coordinator of the Conference

32. Each Conference has a Coordinator, who is appointed by the General Council for the sexennium from a list of three candidates proposed by the Conference Assembly (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.3).

a) The three candidates are to be selected by a majority vote of the Conference Assembly.

b) Ordinarily, a Major Superior should not be presented as a candidate for Coordinator.

c) Each Unit is to develop its own process to nominate potential candidates for Conference Coordinator. Proposed candidates may be from the Unit itself, or from other Units. The Superior and Vocal of each Unit are to present the nominations to the Conference Assembly. In addition, all confreres within the Conference are encouraged to submit nominations along with reasons for their choice to the Conference Coordinator currently in office. Confreres on loan from a Unit outside the Conference are to have full participation in the nomination process developed for identifying candidates for Conference Coordinator.

d) The position of Conference Coordinator is a full-time ministry appointed by the Superior General and his Council.

e) Three candidates must be presented to the General Council within a year after the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter.

f) The Coordinator of the Conference will remain in office until his successor is appointed by the General Council.

33. The Coordinator will exercise his authority as delegated by the Superior General in the following areas:

a) International and inter-Provincial communities and initiatives;

b) Initial and ongoing formation;

c) Promotion and implementation of economic solidarity;

d) Development of a social apostolate;

e) Assistance to Units that need help in organizing their structures;

f) Promotion and facilitation of a process of fusion or federation, or other forms of association, where appropriate; and

g) Accompaniment during General Visitations (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.4).

34. The Coordinator is Chairman of the Conference and of the Assembly (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.3).

35. The tasks of the Coordinator include the following:

a) To guide the process of wider missionary discernment in the Conference;

b) To chair the Conference’s review of life in a missionary perspective;

c) To act as “animator” and support for new missionary initiatives in the Conference;

d) To be attentive to the needs of fragile Units and to facilitate necessary decisions;

e) To ensure that the Conference finds good structures for initial formation;

f) To facilitate ongoing formation for confreres called to new initiatives, which may include establishing international communities; and

g) To act as liaison with the General Council in all matters pertaining to the Conference (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions 2.6).

36. Coordinators will participate at least once a year in one of the extraordinary meetings of the General Council, as indicated by the General Council (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.5).

37. The Coordinator is assisted in his work by a Conference Council (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 2.3). The Council shall be made up of four members of the Conference. No Unit will have more than one member on the Council. The Council may advise the Coordinator when the Conference Assembly is not in session. They shall be elected by a majority vote of the Conference Assembly.

38. The office of the Coordinator shall be in a location reasonably accessible to the members of the whole Conference. After his appointment, the Conference Coordinator shall consult with the Conference Assembly as to the best location.

39. The Coordinator is an ex officio member of the General Chapter (XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 4.8).

Second Section: The Conference and the General Chapter (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 4.3 – 4.11) 40. The General Chapter will be celebrated as a process in three phases:

Phase I: The Initial Phase (Pre-Chapter Meeting);

Phase II: The Canonical Phase of the General Chapter:

Phase III: The Implementation Phase (Post-Chapter Meeting).

Article I: The Initial Phase (Pre-Chapter Meeting)

41. The first phase of the General Chapter process will take place at the Conference level and deals with the tasks outlined in Constitutions 107 and 108. This will offer the possibility of a broader participation of Units, confreres and lay associates. As an integral part of the General Chapter process, the representatives of the Conference will examine its life, mission and priorities.

42. Tasks of the Initial Phase

a) To evaluate the apostolic life of the Units within the Conference, in fidelity to our Mission and the signs of the times;

b) To look at common experiences, missionary priorities, new pastoral situations, etc.;

c) To determine the apostolic priorities of the Conference in line with the Redemptorist Mission;

d) To examine common initiatives of initial and continuing formation;

e) To promote inter-Unit collaboration and possible new initiatives;

f) To nominate, for election at the Canonical phase of the General Chapter, candidates for Superior General;

g) To nominate, for election at the Canonical phase of the General Chapter, at least two candidates for the General Council, not necessarily from that particular Conference;

h) To prepare for the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter.

43. Representation and participation in the first phase of the General Chapter (Pre-Chapter Meeting).

Representatives with voting rights:

a) Superior General and General Consultor(s);

b) Secretary General, Treasurer General and Procurator General participate in one Initial Phase Meeting as designated by the General Government;

c) Members of the Canonical Phase belonging to the Conference;

d) Superiors of Missions;

e) Provinces, Vice-Provinces, Regions with more than 20 members which do not already have a Vocal for the Canonical Phase will elect one Vocal to attend the Initial Phase;

f) Provinces with more than 200 but less than 300 confreres will elect one more Vocal;

g) Other members designated by the General Council;

h) Following Conference Statute No. 28.2.B, any Vocal representing at least 10 confreres living within the Conference from a Unit outside the Conference.

Participation without voting rights:

a) One moderator from the canonical phase of the General Chapter;

b) Experts (Periti);

c) Lay associates;

d) Other persons designated by the General Council;

e) Other persons designated by the Conference Statutes.

Article 2: The Canonical Phase of the General Chapter

44. Tasks

a) To bring together the evaluations and priorities of each Conference and their most important decisions and recommendations in the context of a worldwide discernment of the Congregation’s Mission;

b) To propose to the Congregation the necessary orientations to ensure greater fidelity to its charism, enabling it to renew itself in the service of the Church and the human family;

c) To elect the Superior General and the General Council;

d) To fulfill any further responsibilities indicated in the Constitutions and Statutes and Directory of Chapters.

45. Representation and Participation

Representation and participation at the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter will follow the Directory of Chapters 700, with the addition of the five Conference Coordinators who will be ex officio members.

Article 3: The Implementation Phase (Post-Chapter Meeting)

46. The Implementation Phase will take place at the Conference level no more than twelve months after the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter.

47. Tasks The primary task will be to convey the message and direction set by the Canonical Phase of the General Chapter as it relates to the Mission of the Congregation in the Conference. Other suitable events, such as workshops, retreats, etc., may be organized to facilitate this implementation.

48. Representation and Participation The Conference Coordinator and Assembly will be responsible for the representation and participation at the Implementation Phase.

Third Section: Secretariats and Commissions

49. The following Secretariats and/or Commissions will be established at the Conference level:

a) Formation/Vocations

b) Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation

c) Finance

d) Brothers

e) Youth Ministry

f) Partnership in Mission

The Secretariats of the Conference will meet at least once a year, or more often if needed.

The Conference Assembly, or the Conference Coordinator with the consent of the Conference Council, may appoint members to additional Secretariats, Commissions and Committees, as needed.

All Secretariats and Commissions shall have their bylaws approved by the Conference Assembly. The Conference Assembly or the Conference Coordinator and Council when the Assembly is not in session, will serve as the Secretariat of the Apostolate.

50. Liaison with the General Council Secretariats of the Conference work closely with the General Government. To this purpose, a confrere appointed by the General Council serves as liaison. This will allow the flow of information, sharing ideas and experiences, advice and coordination among the Conferences.

Fourth Section: Congregational Networking

51. The Assembly shall identify the areas in which a wider collaboration with other Conferences is necessary or useful. It shall be done in the spirit of the decisions of the XXIV General Chapter. Possible areas of collaboration include:

a) Ministry to those involved and affected by the mass movement of peoples;

b) Ministry to those who suffer because of human trafficking;

c) Redemptorist communications (including new forms of mass media);

d) Shrine Ministry;

e) A Network for Africa and Madagascar;

f) Theological Reflection in our Redemptorist tradition;

g) Popular Missions;

h) Youth Ministry;

i) Missionary Parishes;

j) Social Justice Ministry (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions 3.1 and 3.2).

The General Government will ensure that these structures will be sufficiently dynamic and flexible, with progressive targets that can be evaluated, so as to respond efficiently to the challenges of a fast-changing world. The Assembly, in dialogue with the General Government, should determine specific areas in which such networking should be realized and prepare a realistic plan to develop this collaboration (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decisions, 3.1 and 3.2). A particular concern of the North American Conference is providing financial assistance, when possible, to Units outside the Conference with limited resources for the education/formation of their members.

Fifth Section: The Temporal Goods of the Congregation in the Conference

52. The Conference Assembly will determine how to finance:

a) The office of the Coordinator, including his travels;

b) Meetings of Secretariats and Commissions;

c) Assemblies and other meetings;

d) Communications;

e) Other activities of the Conference.

53. The Conference Coordinator will present to the Conference Assembly, according to the parameters determined by the Assembly, a proposal of the annual budget and a financial report. The Conference Coordinator, in consultation with the Unit Superiors and Treasurers, will develop a formula that invites all Units within the Conference and communities from outside the Conference to share equitably in funding the Coordinator’s office and its work.

Each secretariat, in its bylaws, will present a method of funding. All secretariat bylaws are to be approved by the Conference Assembly.

54. The houses and programs of formation function according to the financial budgets approved, as indicated in their directories. An annual financial report will be presented to the authority determined by these directories.

55. The Assembly of the Conference will pursue ways in which an effective financial solidarity could be realized within the Conference for the sake of the Redemptorist Mission. This will include mutual help in managing financial resources and an attitude and practice of transparency in their use. Particular attention will be given to the situation of the smaller Units.

56. 5The North American Conference recognizes a special bond of financial solidarity with the confreres and people of Haiti in the neighboring Conference. Solidarity flows from the Mission in Haiti being founded by the Ste. Anne de Beaupré Province.

57. The Fund for Africa and Madagascar is an expression of financial solidarity in the whole Congregation. The Procurator for Africa and Madagascar will administer the Fund, assisted by a Commission (cf. XXIV General Chapter, Decision 9).