Two days of South Asia Economers’ Meet took place in Don Bosco Provincial House, Okhla, New Delhi, on 22nd and 23rd February, 2021. Eleven Provincial Economers were present. After the opening prayer animated by Fr. Babu Varghese, Youth Ministry Delegate of New Delhi Province, Fr. Biju Abraham, Provincial Economer of Delhi Province and Fr. Amaladoss Samson, Co-ordinator of Economers’ Forum South Asia welcomed Fr. Biju Michael, Regional Councillor of South Asia, Fr. Davis Maniparamben, Provincial of New Delhi Province and the participants.
In the opening address, Fr. Davis Maniparamben appreciated the significant roles the Economers play in the provinces of South Asia in ensuring responsibility, accountability and transparency in financial administration and the leadership they provide for the variety of services in the region. Fr. Davis said, “We may be strong as individual provinces, but together we can be stronger and synergize to reach out much more than we can imagine.” He stressed that we need to align ourselves to the vision of the Rector Major and that of the Regional Councillor for South Asia region to make a real impact of our Salesian mission for the young.
Fr. Biju Michael, Regional Councillor for South Asia, spoke about the role of Provincial Economers in transforming systems and recalled their attention to the centre of the Salesian charism. He stated: “Any organized human system, like our SDB Congregation, is a complex system that is formed of four fundamental components such as purpose, organization, process and resources. The purpose should be something that is shared and inspirational. When many intelligences focus on a unified purpose, the impossible begins to evolve.”
In the afternoon online session, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, Economer General, presented the Priorities of the Rector Major and the General Council for the six-year period from 2020 to 2026. Mr. Joselyn Martin, Auditor addressed the Economers in the evening session and clarified their doubts on tax compliance.
Fr. Babu Varghese SDB