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The General Chapter of the Crosier Order met in Mário Campos, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from July 28 – August 15, 2003. Twenty-four delegates participated, representing the four Provinces of the Order (Europe, U.S., Indonesia and Brazil), the Proprovince of East Papua in New Guinea, the Region of the Congo and the General administration of the Order. The delegates were assisted by thirteen others, among them Crosiers, religious of other communities and lay people, as facilitators, translators, secretaries, etc.
The business of the Chapter was primarily the deepening of religious community life throughout the Order: living together for God alone according to the Rule of St. Augustine, accepting the joys and burdens of a life signed by the Glorious Cross of Jesus, forming membership and preparing leadership. The Chapter revisited the Constitutions of the Order, studying them and making changes for their continued vitality.
The Chapter elected its 57th Master General, American Fr. Glen Lewandowski, the first non-European in its 800-year history to lead the Order. Belgian Fr. Pierre-Paul Walraet and Indonesian Fr. Heribertus Kartono were elected as General Councillors. The General and his Councillors will serve until the next General Chapter in six years.
The Chapter experienced a difficult moment on August 3 when the retreat house was attacked by four armed robbers who threatened the lives of the members of the Chapter and made off with documents, money and computers. Fr. Huub Wagemans was slightly injured when one of the robbers became aggressive. No one else was hurt. The Chapter spent much of the next day de-briefing about the terrifying experience.
Croisiers throughout the world now have the report of the Chapter in hand and the Provinces, Proprovince and Region are setting about its implementation.
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