Girard0245

19 March 1843 - Bishop Pompallier to Father Forest, Kororareka

Summary

Father Forest is now seen by Pompallier as provincial of the Marists. Forest did not want the title but provisionally accepted the responsibilities of the job (see f/n (1)). He has just written to the Bishop, asking him for what is effectively a job description. Pompallier says that these things must be taken into consideration: (1) the goal to be achieved, and the means (to do it?) becoming easy to know, (2) what cannot be done and (3) what is expedient to do. The goal of the provincial’s responsibility is to secure the perfection of the religious through the observance of the Rule and maintaining a religious spirit in the context of apostolic work. What the provincial cannot do: he has no responsibility for souls nor for any ministry on their behalf. He should do nothing that would interfere with his direction of the religious. He cannot move religious around; or authorise the building of new establishments and buildings. What it is expedient for him to do: live near the Vicar-Apostolic and his administration, to have a shared understanding with the Vicar-Apostolic on matters concerning the mission work. He is to see himself as the spiritual father of the men under the religious authority of the Superior-General of the Society of Mary.

Based on a copy written by Claude Girard, except for the final words (below, §9) written by Jean-Claude Colin, APM OOc 418.1. A double sheet, forming four pages, two of which are written, followed by two blank pages. Forest sent this letter to Colin along with his own letter of March 26, 1843 (cf. doc. 247, §38).

Translated by Merv Duffy SM, January 2025

Text of the Letter

J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)

Kororareka, March 19, 1843.

To the Reverend Father Forest, Provincial of the Society of Mary for the Mission of Western Oceania.

My Reverend and dear Father Forest,

[1]

In the letter you wrote to me yesterday, you requested written clarifications about your position in the mission, the duties or responsibilities associated with the role of provincial, both regarding this house and the other mission stations.

[2]

It is with pleasure, dear Father, that I will share with you what I believe to be beneficial and orderly in all these matters under the circumstances of this mission to date. I have learned that the Reverend Father Superior General has been in Rome to request the approval of the Society’s rules from the Holy See and to further coordinate matters in the missions entrusted to the Society's work.

While awaiting responses from the Holy See and the Reverend Father Superior General in this distant country, here is what I understand regarding your role as provincial. In general, to properly understand matters and to act wisely and prudently in any administration, it is necessary to consider:

1. The goal to be achieved, as this clarifies the means;

2. What cannot be done;

3. What is expedient to do.

[3]

1. The goal of the provincial role here is to ensure the perfection of the religious, by observing the rule and maintaining the religious spirit amid apostolic work. Thus, each member—whether priest or brother—must report to him about their internal state, either by letters or during visits the provincial makes to them or when they have opportunities to visit him. The primary duty of the provincial, representing the General, is to ensure the proper observance of the spirit of poverty, chastity, and obedience among the regular members of the Society and to see that they are submissive in their ministry work to the ecclesiastical authority responsible for the flock and these labors.

The direction of consciences, religious visits, and retreats for the religious are also key aspects of the Reverend Father Provincial's duties in this mission. These constitute the purpose and functions of his role.

[4]

2. What the provincial cannot do: As he is not the provicar of the apostolic vicariate nor the rector of any station, he does not have the care of souls in the mission regarding the faithful. He is not obliged to carry out sacred ministry duties in this regard and, moreover, must avoid any activities in the mission that could hinder his vigilance, care, and guidance of the religious.

The Apostolic Vicar, however, grants him extensive powers, especially for matters of internal forum, but he exercises these regarding the faithful only as he deems appropriate. No one in the mission has the right to command him to perform the sacred ministry, and if he does so, it is a cause for gratitude, given the great needs of the ministry. Yet his cooperation in our work must not, once again, interfere with his important role as provincial, which upholds the religious spirit and thereby ensures the success of both the apostolic labors and way of life.

[5]

The provincial cannot transfer members between stations, reduce their number, or add new members or establishments. He does not direct the establishment of missionary stations, chapels, churches, etc.—all matters of pastoral ministry. He is only to ensure that the religious observe the spirit of poverty in their residences. As missionaries and pastors, their dwellings, houses, and furnishings may sometimes seem to conflict with the letter of poverty, but in these cases, they must be seen more as priests and pastors than simple religious.

[6]

3. What is expedient to do: Reside near the Apostolic Vicar and his administration. Consult with him on many matters indirectly related to apostolic work, such as issuing circular letters of advice that the provincial can and should send periodically to all the religious.

The members under your religious jurisdiction are all members of the Society of Mary in Western Oceania. This is a dispersed community, and you are their spiritual father and director under the religious authority of the Reverend Father Superior General and the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Apostolic Vicar for the sacred ministry. All these notions address your third question.

[7]

Regarding your second question: In this Bay of Islands establishment, you are the first assistant priest of the station, which is administered by the Apostolic Vicar, the provicar, and a missionary, Reverend Father Garin. Reverend Father Tripe is the second assistant priest. Anything you do in the sacred ministry of this station will give me the greatest joy. Wherever you are—whether in the house or the chapel—you hold the first place after the provicars.

Holding conferences on the rule, vigilance over the religious, spiritual correspondence, visits, and receiving accounts of the internal state as per the rule, when deemed appropriate—these are the main aspects of your position as I understand them. All for the glory and love of Jesus and Mary.

[8]

Believe me to be your very affectionate and devoted servant and friend in their holy names.

Signed:

Jean-Baptiste François, Bishop, Apostolic Vicar

[Written by Colin]

[9]

Certified copy.

Lyon, July 29, 1843

Colin

Notes

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