KENYA PROVINCIAL DIRECTORY 2008 DRAFT

 PART ONE: MISSIONARY SERVICE

Section 1: Evangelization

1.       The Comboni Missionaries are in Kenya at the service of local Churches through their Hierarchy.

1.1     The missionary belongs to the local Church where he is called to live. He acts as a responsible co-worker, putting at its service his personal resources.

1.2     The missionary keeps good relationships with the local Bishop and clergy; he promotes friendship and co-operation with them and pastoral agents of the area, so that it may be accepted also when criticism and challenge are required. He favours informal contacts as most determining for collaboration.

1.3     New initiatives in the apostolate are encouraged and welcome, provided a clear agreement is stated with the local hierarchy beforehand.

2.       The handing over of parishes and institutions to the local clergy decided by the Provincial Superior and the General Council in consultation with the radical members of the Province present in the Province is implemented gradually in dialogue with the competent authority and those who are succeeding in the commitment.

Language and Culture Study
3.       When a confrere arrives to Kenya for the first time, he is given the opportunity to prepare himself for missionary service by learning Kiswahili, visiting our Missions and eventually study the local language, if possible. During this time he is not given any other commitment.

4.       English is the official language in Kenya and Kiswahili is the national language. A good knowledge of English is required.

4.1     Everybody appointed to Kenya will be given the opportunity to learn first Kiswahili and then the local language of the area to which he is assigned for pastoral work.

4.2     Even after the introductory period, missionaries keep on studying local cultures. Local communities, especially at zonal level, plan and carry out initiatives in this field.

4.3     The confreres on 'first mission appointment' as well as those still in temporary vows are followed in a special way by a confrere appointed by the Provincial Council.

4.4     An Introductory course to Kenya is planned every two years

Inculturation
5.       The Comboni missionary, aware of the necessity of inculturation, encourages and supports any initiative that enhances the incarnation of Christianity in the local culture. He continually strives for "acculturation" i.e. to insert himself in the local and African situation.

Catechumenate
6.       The Comboni missionary pays special attention to the catechumenate, from the stage of first contact to mystagogy, to ensure a grounded initiation in the life of the Church.

6.1     The social teaching of the Church is an essential part of the contents proposed during the catechumenate.

Human Promotion
7.       The activities of human promotion are considered and carried out as an essential part of evangelization and as a contribution to the integral development of human persons in today's Kenyan society.

8.       The Comboni missionary pays particular attention to social justice and peace, and to the education of the people to accept their community, social and political responsibilities.

8.1     Therefore he tries to maintain a dignified human relationship with the employees, and provides them with just and fair working conditions and salaries.

9.       The Comboni brothers of the province play a specific role in the missionary activities of integral human promotion.
9.1     Every year all the brothers of the province meet in an assembly to examine and up-date a topic referred to their role in evangelization.

Priorities of the Province
10.     The priorities of the Province specified in the Six year plan are:
- On-going Formation
- First Evangelization, especially among the pastoralists and semi-pastoralist people with attention to the Islamic challenge.
- Urban areas and slums, in solidarity with the poor and with attention to the youth.
- Missionary animation of the local Church through formation, information and prophetic denunciation
- First Formation and Vocation Promotion
- Other Issues demanding our attention are Justice and Peace, the Institute of Social Ministry in Mission at Tangaza College

Missionary Approach
11.     The Comboni missionary needs permanently to be converted to the "HOW" he is called to live its being a missionary in Kenya today. An annual evaluation and planning of activities is expected to be done by each community and zone when they revise the community and zone Charter.

11.1   The missionary lives in solidarity with the peoples aware that evangelization is carried out as a Community and not as an individual. The methodology of “Small Christian Communities” is to be emphasised according to the AMECEA orientation.

11.2   In their dealings with people the missionaries strive not to foster people’s dependency on material goods and take care to build simple, viable structures

11.3   The criteria of missionary methodology indicated by the CA ‘03, nos. 97-132 are taken as a permanent orientation for the Comboni activity. These criteria are:
- A contemplative vision of apostolate and human development
- A ministerial action which seeks collaboration
- The use of financial resources which are used for the mission, according to Gospel values and are based on a culture of communion and sharing.  Self-limitation becomes an expression of our following Christ
- Training and formation of our personnel
- The importance of Missionary Animation as a help the local church to open to the ad gentes missionary dimension
- The awareness of being part of the local church
- Inculturation
- Dialogue and proclamation to be carried out in inter-religious contexts

Pastoral Agents
12.     The Parish Priest fosters dialogue with and co-ordinates all pastoral agents in the Parish, including other Priests, Sisters, Catechists and Lay missionaries (Apostolic community). He is responsible for the final decisions.

12.1   Our communities follow the practice of the Church in Kenya and directives of Canon Law regarding Pastoral Councils, Financial Committees etc., which promote the involvement of all the Christians in the activities and administration of the Church.

12.2   Each community belonging to the Apostolic Community though maintaining its own life style, distinct administration and separate facilities, is open to the service of coordination of the Parish Priest and to the various meetings of prayer and sharing scheduled together.

13.     Comboni missionaries in Kenya foster a special co-operation with the community of the sisters in the mission; with the Comboni Sisters this is particularly motivated by the same charism.

14.     A diocesan priest, a missionary of another institute, or a Fidei Donum Priest, may be accepted in the local community through a common agreement between the Bishops and the Provincial Superior and the approval of the community. The terms and extent of this co-operation are stated in a written agreement by the persons concerned.

Catechists and Lay Ministers
15.     Comboni Missionaries consider the formation of Catechists and lay ministers a priority of their missionary activity.

Lay Missionaries
16.     We welcome the collaboration of lay missionaries in our communities (Associates, Comboni Lay Missionaries and Members of other organisations).

16.1   Those who come with a regular convention of Associates (DSP) are considered collaborators of our communities for the period they have been assigned to the Province, and share the life of the community. However, they do not have the right to active vote in decisions which request a deliberative vote.

16.2   The Comboni Lay Missionaries (NAP) live in a community of their own, self-managing and self-supporting and hold a written contract with the diocese for their work and remuneration. They are part of the apostolic community and participate in the Comboni charism through scheduled initiatives (e.g. prayers, celebrations, meetings, etc.).

16.3   The Lay people Members of other organisations are under the direct responsibility of the Diocese. Lay people coming to help in our Missions are expected to be practising Catholics. They also participate as much as possible in the local Apostolic community.

16.4   The Provincial Superior and an appointed Co-ordinator are responsible for the care of all the Lay Missionaries present in our Province.

Section 2: Missionary Animation, Vocation Promotion and First Formation

Missionary Animation
17.     Every missionary is committed as part of his vocation to the missionary animation of the local Church and takes special care to support missionary initiatives (e.g. activities of Mission Appeals, Mission Sunday, New People magazine, other missionary publications, missionary vocations promotion...).

17.1   The Comboni missionary in Kenya considers missionary animation of local Churches with its fruits of promotion/formation of missionary vocations an essential part of the Comboni charism.

17.2   Every year, each community specifies in its community Charter concrete initiatives for missionary animation, promotion and care of vocations.

17.3   The community welcomes “Comboni candidates” for pastoral work and follows them in their formation, in co-operation with their Formators.

17.4   The NPMC follows a proper Charter and depends on the B.O.G. of the Provincials of the English speaking Africa and Mozambique.

Vocation Promoter and Zonal Co-operators
18.     A missionary in the province is a full-time Vocation Promoter.

18.1   He plans and carries out initiatives to animate the communities in this field; contacts possible candidates, their families, parishes and schools, and follows them up to their entrance in the formation centres; co-ordinates all initiatives of vocations promotion for our Province.

18.2   The vocation promoter will visit parishes and schools all over Kenya, and involve other confreres in
this activity.

18.3   He carries out his activity in close collaboration with the Secretariats of First formation/Vocation Promotion and Missionary Animation.

19.     In every Zone of the province a “contact confrere” is chosen to put in charge of Comboni missionary animation and vocation promotion among the youth, especially those in secondary education.

First Formation
20.     The first Formation refers continually to the fundamental document of our Institute in this field, “The Ratio Fundamentalis, 1991” and to successive documents elaborated henceforth.

Postulancy
21.     The formation of Postulants is based on an “Educative Charter”, prepared by the Secretariat for First Formation and approved by the Provincial Council.

21.1   The Comboni community of the Postulancy has a minimum of two formators.

22.     In order to be accepted in the Postulancy, a candidate needs:
- to come from a sound catholic family;
- to have reached the necessary academic standards for admission to the Kenyan major seminaries;
- not to be older than 24 years;
- to have an adequate Christian formation, shown by prayer, reception of sacraments and positive
involvement in church activities;
- to have the human qualities requested by the Directory of Vocation Promotion: especially physical and psychological fitness; psychological and medical tests are demanded, AIDS included, balanced personality, sincerity and openness to other people;
- to have been followed by the Vocation Promoter for at least one year before joining the pre-postulancy
- to undergo a period of pre-postulancy for one year.

23.     The postulants are not Comboni missionary members. The province provides the school fees with boarding and lodging for each postulant; the postulants contribute with personal work and provide for their own personal expenses, stationary and transport home for their holidays.

24.     Only those postulants who have come to a clear choice for the Comboni noviciate (i.e. willing to try the first experience of Comboni life) and have showed their ability to accept its specific demands are admitted to the noviciate. The applications are submitted to the Provincial Superior and his council with a personal report from the formators.

25.     Postulants for brotherhood stay together with the candidates for priesthood, unless their number makes it possible to have a separate Postulancy, with a Brother formator.

Inculturation of Formation
26.     The Comboni Missionary shows appreciation for the African culture and values, encourages African candidates to be proud of their background and to express their own Christian faith in African ways.

The Noviciate
27.     The inter-provincial Noviciates of Namugongo (Uganda) and Lusaka (Zambia) are open to novices of other English-speaking Provinces in Africa. Being inter-provincial, it is governed by a special Directory approved by the General Council.

Scholasticate and Brothers Centre.
28.     The International Scholasticate and the Brothers Centre depend on the General Administration.. They follow Directories approved by the General Administration.

28.1   Scholastics and brothers in temporary vows are welcomed in our communities. When their presence needs to last for a longer period as part of their training, the formators clearly explain to the hosting community what is expected of the candidates and of the community. A missionary in the community is specifically appointed to follow them.

28.2   Being located in our Province the Scholasticate, the CIF and the NPMC are an opportunity and a challenge to our Province for a missionary commitment in the field of Missionary Animation.

28.3   As far as missionary animation and vocation promotion are concerned they work in close cooperation with the Secretary of Missionary Animation and the Vocation Promoter of the Province.

28.4  Scholastics from our Province who conclude their formation training are to have at least one year of pastoral experience in the Province, before their perpetual vows. Candidate brothers will have the chance of practicing their profession and get a necessary missionary exposure after the first profession and the essential ministerial training; a period of two years is the minimum requirement to reach these objectives.

PART TWO:  A COMMUNITY OF BROTHERS FOR MISSIONARY SERVICE

Section 1 - Consecrated Life

Chastity
29.     The Missionary lives the vow of Chastity as a new way of loving others gratuitously, especially the poorest and most abandoned, in the footsteps of Daniel Comboni.

29.1   The missionary pays special attention to the African value of interpersonal relationships. Chastity should manifest and express specifically the capacity of relating to others, to welcome them and deal with them always with respect and love.

29.2   In the community, confreres should help one another to be attentive to the social and cultural sensitivity of African people, in order to be true and prudent in their social relationships, avoiding serious misinterpretations.

29.3   The attitude in which the Comboni missionary relates to people should manifest the novelty of the Gospel which helps people to be respected and live marriage as authentic and meaningful human relationship.

Poverty
30.     We live in a society characterised by exploitation, corruption and unequal distribution of riches resulting in few wealthy people and the majority living in misery. The missionary is attentive not to be caught up by the capitalistic vision and dynamic, but rather to side with the poor in solidarity with them through a simple life-style.

30.1   A community charity fund and communitarian planning can be a means to live in the spirit of the vow of poverty, and lead to a common policy towards helping the poor. A parish relief committee (or social services) could be a useful body.

31.     The members of the local community plan together both ordinary expenses and particular projects and agree on possible contributions to the Provincial Sharing Fund and to the extraordinary expenditures of the Institute.

31.1   In planning the budget, the local community takes into consideration the situation of the poor and that of other non-Comboni communities.

32.     All the offerings received belong to the community and are administered by the community (Money in community is always ‘ours’, never ‘mine’!). A missionary, on individual basis, does not dispose of any money or valuables. The community has to use money respecting the intentions of the donors.

32.1   Specific equipment and cars are assigned to institutions and offices, not to individual missionaries, who therefore, when transferred to another community do not take them along with them.

32.2   The community of a confrere being transferred is encouraged to give him a donation that will help him in his new commitment.

33.     The Provincial Superior with the consent of the Provincial Council and the communities involved, can transfer funds from a community to another in need.

Obedience
34.     The missionary constantly questions himself on what God's will means in the present history of Kenya (signs of the time). This is carried out at personal and community level.  The "Six year plan" is the specific tool for this discernment in the Province.

34.1   The missionary, in a sense of belonging to the local Church, obeys his bishop and the diocesan directives. He co-operates with all the pastoral agents, enhancing co-responsibility in pastoral planning; the Parish Priest acts as their co-ordinator and animator (Apostolic community).

34.2   The missionary cultivates his sense of belonging to the Institute through obedience to his Religious Superiors for Comboni life and missionary methodology.
34.3   In his pastoral activity he follows the directives of the Local Ordinary.

Confrères in Particular Situations
35      Pastoral fraternal care of confrères undergoing particular situations is regulated by the Code of Conduct.

Section 2 - Community Life

The Local Community
36.     Each Comboni community in Kenya consists normally of three or more missionaries appointed by the Provincial Superior and his Council.

37.     The appointment of missionaries to ecclesiastical offices is done by the local Ordinary upon presentation of candidates by the Provincial Superior.

38.     The transfer of a missionary from one religious community to another is done by the Provincial Superior with a letter of assignment, in dialogue with the confrere and the community, after consultation with the Bishop.

39.     Elderly confreres who have been working in the Kenya Province are welcome and are expected to give their contribution of personal experience, prayer, evangelical witness and brotherly communion.

40.     The official language of the Comboni Missionaries in Kenya is English. They use it in meetings, conversation and official publications.

41.     Every community considers hospitality an important Christian value, especially here in Africa. People are welcome in our houses according to the following guidelines:
- Cordial hospitality is extended to our guests, with attention to necessary privacy.
- The local socio-cultural environment is taken into account.
- If a guest is to remain in the community for a long period (e.g. more than a week) of time, the matter is agreed by all its members.

42.     In the community house there are:
‑        Main documents of the Holy See, of the Episcopal Conference and of the Diocese.
‑        Official documents of the General Council and of the Provincial Council.
‑        A book with the minutes of the Community Council.
‑        A book for Mass Intentions.
-A record of the assets belonging to the Comboni Community, and of those belonging to the parish or institutions.
-        A diary of the main events.

Zones
43.     The communities of the Province are grouped in Zones.

43.1   The communities of each Zone meet together on the occasion of the monthly day of recollection, Comboni celebrations, on-going formation meetings, pastoral work planning, festivities, etc. A confrere is chosen as Zone co-ordinator by the confreres of the Zone and approved by the Provincial Superior.

43.2   The communities of the Zone plan together pastoral priorities and guidelines, development projects and other forms of co-operation.

43.3   Each Zone has a library connected with the one of the provincial house, with relevant cultural/pastoral material.

43.4   Each zone elaborates a zone charter.

The Local Superior
44.     The local superior is appointed by the Provincial Superior after consulting the members of the
community.

44.1   He is expected to co-ordinate/animate the members of the Community, using towards consensus
and implementation the means of the "community charter".

44.2   To help the local superiors in their role, a periodical meeting for them is organised at provincial level.

The Community Council
45.     The community council meets at least once a month and whenever needed. It deals with both
formative and administrative matters concerning community/individual life and apostolic activities.

45.1   The superior is responsible for its regular meetings, its agenda preparation, its decisions record and
implementation.

45.2   The minutes are made available to the Provincial Superior during his official visit.

46.     Ordinarily the vote of the community council is consultative.

46.1   The following matters require consultativevote :
a) coming together with nearby communities for days of retreat or for other meetings;
b) planning for the annual retreat of the community members;
c) planning for annual and home leave;
d) time-table for personal prayer of each missionary;
e) arranging the weekly ‘day-off’ of each missionary;
f) approving a special period of prolonged prayer that a missionary may request;
g) initiatives and programmes of on-going formation;
46.2   The following matters are submitted for deliberative vote:
a) the daily, weekly and monthly celebration of the liturgy and community prayer;
b) work and apostolic plans that involve members of the community permanently;
c) form and practice of communitarian poverty;
d) the budget of the community and the annual financial report;
e) extraordinary expenses;
f) particular equipment that a missionary may take with him when transferred;
g) substantial offerings, contributions to other bodies (diocesan, etc.);
h) to admit a new employee or to dismiss someone from work;
i) initiatives of public involvement and witness

46.3   In case of a deadlock over a deliberative vote, the superior may take a decision and inform the
Provincial Superior about it.

47.     The community council includes moments of reflection on the Rule of Life, the Provincial Directory, official communications from the Gen. and Provincial Councils and on other documents of the Church.

48.     When a missionary needs to be absent from the community for extraordinary commitments, he asks
the consent of the superior and community.

Community Charter
49.     The Community Charter  contains the agreement (consensus) reached by the members and approved by the Superior, on the purpose/style of living and acting, on moments of prayer, on the schedule of the various meetings with the Apostolic Agents, on concrete policies/initiatives of the Community.

49.1   It is linked to the concrete situation of the community and of the place; therefore it needs to be revised and updated every year; copy of it is sent to the Provincial Superior.

49.2   It is commented upon during the official visits of the Provincial Superior.

Section 3 - Life of Prayer

50.     Once a week the community organise a particular moment of prayer (e.g. hour of adoration, Eucharistic celebration...) in which all its members participate; other members of the Apostolic Community may be invited. Community daily prayer includes: Holy Eucharist, Lauds and Vespers.

51.     It is advisable for the missionary to inform the community about his daily programme of personal
prayer.

52.     Prayer with the people is the first form of evangelization; participating in it through liturgical celebrations or other traditional prayers (Penitential services, Rosary, Novena, Stations of the Cross...), the missionary witnesses to his people the spirit of personal relationship with the Lord.

52.1   Special attention is given to the Comboni celebrations (15th March, 10th October, Sacred Heart), to African Saints and to the Kenyan national feasts.

53.     Besides the yearly retreat, a missionary may ask, in agreement with his community, for a period of prolonged prayer whenever he feels a personal need of it.

54.     The monthly day of Recollection follows a time-table agreed upon in common: it includes the presentation of a theme, a time for personal reflection and prayer, a moment of sharing or review of life and the celebration of the Eucharist. Where possible, it is organised preferably together with other communities at zonal level.

55.     The sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated both at personal and community level. On some particular occasions, the community celebrates a communal penitential liturgy with the possibility of the individual reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

PART THREE:  THE PROVINCIAL COMMUNITY

56.     All local communities of the Province form the provincial community of Kenya under the Provincial Superior.

The Provincial Superior
57.     The requirements to be Provincial Superior, the norms for the consultation and terms for his appointment are laid down in the RL no. 119.

57.1   Before the opinion poll takes place, the Provincial Council calls for a personal, communitarian and zonal discernment on the situation of the Province and possible candidates for the offices of Provincial Superior and provincial Councillors. The written report of the communitarian discernment is taken to the zonal meeting. The reports of the zonal meetings are sent to the Provincial Superior for publication and distribution to all communities of the Province.

57.2   To foster brotherly union in the Province, the Provincial Superior fosters personal relationships with all the members, offers easy chance of informal contacts with each confrere and each community both directly and through provincial publications, takes part, as far as possible, in days of recollection, in zonal and diocesan meetings.

57.3   The Provincial Superior cares that his official visits to a community, carried out possibly together with a Councillor, become a moment of evaluation, reflection and communion. He prepares them and carries them out by taking time to live with confreres, to reflect on contents of the Rule of Life, this Directory and the Community Charter, to manifest his orientations, to support the community in what concerns its religious and missionary life.

57.4   At least four times a year, he calls the meeting of the Provincial Council.
‑ He schedules a yearly calendar with all the provincial initiatives.
‑ He examines the detailed directives in the Vademecum of the Provincial Superior.

The Provincial Council.
58.     The Kenya province has four Provincial Councillors. Their term of office lasts three years, with the possibility of being re-elected to successive terms.

58.1   Before the official election, an opinion poll takes place involving as much as possible a discernment at the community level, each elector proposing four names. Anyone wanting to renounce his passive vote, does so officially, immediately after the results of the opinion poll are known.

58.2 The four Provincial Councillors have to represent preferably the four zones of our Province

58.3   The official election takes place in two moments:
a) Each elector writes two names on the ballot-paper and returns it to the provincial office within the fixed time. The two members who receive the highest number of votes are elected.
b) After the notification of the two elected, a second ballot takes place, following the same procedure, for the third and fourth councillors.

58.4   The election of the Vice-Provincial Superior follows the norms stated in the RL no. 122. The councillor who obtains at least three votes is presented to the General Council for confirmation.

59.     The 'quorum' of the provincial council is formed by the Provincial Superior (or vice provincial) and at least two Councillors. A majority of three votes is required when the matter demands the deliberative or the consultative vote. The deliberative vote is taken by secret ballot; for the consultative vote the same procedure is to be followed whenever a Councillor requests it.

59.1   For urgent decisions, where the deliberative vote of the Council is necessary, the Provincial Superior requires the consent of two Councillors and reports the matter at the next meeting.

59.2   Each Councillor may enter into the agenda any item received from confreres or communities, as well as his own.

59.3   Each missionary has the right to come before the Council and present personally an issue. Likewise, the Council may call any missionary when deemed useful.

60.     It is up to the Council to assign special responsibilities and competence for particular sectors to some        of the Councillors.

60.1   The Provincial Council organises an annual retreat, leaving it free for the Comboni Missionaries to
join retreats held by Dioceses or other groups.

60.2   With planned regularity, the Provincial Council consults the Secretariats in analysing situations and implementing decisions, meets with the Comboni Sisters, and sets apart time for moments of its own on-going formation.

61.     When a member of the Council is unable to continue in his duties as a Councillor new elections are
called. When a Councillor is absent temporarily, the indications of the RL 126.2 are followed.

Provincial Secretariats and Offices

62.     Various secretariats are permanently established in the Province. They are “technical-advisory-executive bodies which serve the Provincial Council and the province, and act in collaboration with their respective General Secretariats (RL no. 129.1). In their advisory role the secretariats animate the provincial and the PC on new issues needing reflection and decision.

62.1   The Secretariats help to find ways to collaborate with the same Secretariats of the Comboni Sisters.

62.2   Secretariats in the Province are
a) Secretariat of First Formation and Vocation Promotion.
 - It studies specific problems concerning first formation and vocation promotion and proposes solutions so that the Provincial and his council can take adequate decisions.
 - It examines the pre-postulants’ reports presented by the vocation promoter at the end of their experience and assess the pre-postulants’ aptitude to join the postulancy
 - It proposes possible candidates to the role of formator in the postulancy to the Provincial and the council
 - It proposes courses of preparation and re-qualifications for the formators of the postulancy
 - A Comboni sister is welcomed to attend the meetings of the secretariat unless special, confidential issues are to be discussed.

b) Secretariat of Evangelization and Ongoing Formation.
 - It animates the Province, the zones and the communities on topics concerning evangelisation, the Church in Africa, major social and political trends influencing evangelisation, justice and peace and integrity of creation, and on issues regarding the Comboni charism and missionary methodology. It coordinates the activities proposed by the General Secretariat at provincial, zone and community level.
 - It proposes courses and seminars confreres could attend. It makes the Provincial and his Council aware of the confreres attending the Comboni Year of Formation
 - It proposes a programme of specialisation and re-qualification of confreres to the Provincial and the council
 - It helps the communities elaborate the community and the zones’ charter
 - It supervises the activities of the Informal group and the regular issues of Missionary Reflection. A confrere appointed by the Provincial superior is in charge of these two commitments. He may be a member of the secretariat.

c) Secretariat of Mission Animation
 - It helps those in charge of this sector to raise the missionary consciousness and responsibility of the local church through formation, information and prophetic denunciation.
 - It proposes viable suggestions for mission animation in our zones and communities.
 - To update our provincial website is the responsibility of the secretariat through the Missionary Animation team
 - As Mission Animation includes New People Media Centre and the provincial commitment of Mission Animation, representatives of both have to be present at the secretariat.
 - One of our teachers in Tangaza is part of the Secretariat. He is chosen by the Provincial superior
 - The head of the secretariat is a member of the Mission Animation team.

d) Secretariat of Finance.
 - It helps the Provincial and his council to properly discern on financial matter according to the needs of the mission and to take sound decisions.
 -. It helps towards the implementation of the zone common fund
 - The head of the Secretariat of Finance is the provincial bursar

62.3    The Secretariats meet at least four times a year and proper record of the meetings and kept in the provincial archives.

62.4   The Secretariats are made up of a secretary appointed by the Provincial Superior with a deliberative vote of the Provincial Council (RL no. 127.2), a confrere from each zone of the Province, and a member of the Provincial Council. The Provincial can designate any other confreres to take part in the meetings of the Secretariats.

62.5.  Exception to the above composition is the Secretariat of Basic Formation and Vocation Promotion, whose members are the formators from the houses of formation present in the Province (postulancy, scholasticate and Brothers’ Centre) and the vocation promoter. However, a brother is always present. A member of the provincial council is to be part of the secretariat.

62.6   The heads of each Secretariat are appointed ‘ad nutum’ by the Provincial Superior and do not end their service with the Provincial Council. (RL no. 129)

Provincial Assembly
63.     Every year, the Provincial Superior convokes the Provincial Assembly. Every missionary is expected to take part in it as a sign of co-responsibility, communion and sharing.

63.1   The agenda for the Provincial Assembly is prepared by the Provincial Council. It is sent to all missionaries in good time so as to enable them to prepare themselves adequately.

63.2   Missionaries may enter other points in the agenda by informing in writing the Provincial Council early enough. The Assembly dedicates at least half a day to current issues.

63.3   Important themes to be discussed in the Provincial Assembly may be preceded by opinion enquiries through questionnaires, community reflection and contributions.

63.4   Comboni Sisters, facilitators and other guests may be invited to the Assembly by the Provincial Superior with his Council.

Probus Vir
64. In the Province there is one Probus Vir, appointed by the Provincial Superior after a consultation among the missionaries of the Province. He cannot be a provincial Councillor. His mandate is ad nutum of the Provincial Council, but not beyond five years, after which he is either confirmed or replaced, following a new consultation. A simple majority of votes is required.

Provincial Archives
65.     The provincial Archives are deposited kept and updated in the residence of the provincial superior.
66.     The Archives are divided into:
a) Historical matters.
b) General affairs.
c) Personal matters.
d) A secret section for confidential matters.
c) Documents concerning properties.

67.     The Provincial Superior alone is entitled to grant other confreres access to the archives under
precaution to safeguard one's good name.
68.     Care is to be taken to preserve diaries of houses, documents of religious and civil authorities, memories written by confreres, photos, slides, films, tapes or cassettes of people, places and events connected with our Institute.

Personal Care
69.     The Province takes care of its missionaries' on-going formation and health; everyone has the right to schedule his period of home-leave, the annual rest, his retreat and other formation courses and to take care of his health through proper medical treatment.
69.1   Each Missionary is the first responsible of his own Ongoing Formation to be planned in dialogue with his Spiritual Director and Superiors.

Annual Holidays
70.     Missionaries are ordinarily entitled to fifteen days of resting period every year, and also a full week
free for their annual retreat: all this is planned at community level.
70.1   The expenses for the annual leave are met by the community. The community council decides the
amount to be allotted, taking into account the concrete needs of each missionary.

Home Leave
71.     A Missionary has the right to a period of home-leave, or equivalent holiday, every three years. If one  prefers to postpone his home-leave for one or two years, he may do so with the consent of the Provincial Superior. The length of home-leave corresponds to one month per one year of mission work. Extra-time is allowed for special medical treatment or for renewal courses.

71.1   The schedule for home leave is determined well in advance, in consultation with the local Ordinary, the Provincial Superior, the community and the confrere concerned, so that the continuity of pastoral work may be guaranteed.

71.2   The Provincial Superior, together with the missionary concerned, draws up a programme for his holiday, including any eventual extraordinary trips, and informs the General Council and the Provincial of the Province where is going.

71.3   A missionary's home-leave plan may include:
- medical check-up and treatment,
- temporary insertion in a community of the Province of origin,
- special times for on-going formation,
- possibility of contact with and mission promotion in one's Church of origin.

71.4   Home-leave travelling expenses are met by the local ordinary and the local community on a fifty-fifty and a yearly percentage basis, or by the Provincial Sharing Fund for the confreres who have been working at the service of the Province.

72.     On return from home-leave, the missionary is available for a possible new assignment in the province.

73.     A missionary is to travel to his home country, outside the usual holiday schedule, only for serious reasons such as personal illness which cannot be treated on the spot, or the dangerous illness or death of a close relative. In other particular cases the Provincial Superior has to decide.

73.1   Temporary absences from the Province are authorised by the Provincial Superior and his council for reasons of health, study, apostolate. In such cases the indications of the Rule of Life are followed

73.2  A missionary who has his home in Eastern Africa could be allowed to have one month leave per year. The Provincial Superior will draw up a programme with the interested party. In this case the 15 days of resting period per year does not apply.

PART FOUR:  ADMINISTRATION OF GOODS

Section 1 – General
74      Our resources are for the good of the mission and the use of them respect Gospel values; each member and community of the Province strives to bring about a culture of community (CA ’03, nos. 101.1, 102). So “the practice of poverty in the Institute requires that whatever is acquired or donated is used for evangelization, for promotion work and for preparation and sustenance of the missionaries” (RL no. 30).

Ownership and Patrimony
75.     The Institute is officially and legally recognised in Kenya as a "moral and juridical entity" under the title of "VERONA FATHERS REGISTERED TRUSTEES". Certificate of Incorporation P. S. 356/1, dated 24-5-1974, owner of L.R.NO.330/339, Ngong Road, Nairobi. The right of ownership belongs to the Institute here in Kenya and not to the local communities.

75.1   The upper limit of the provincial administration will be the equivalent of one year’s ordinary expenditure.
76.     The missionary respects the laws of the country.

76.1   Each community follows the laws of the country and directives of the Kenyan Church regarding
employment and insurance and makes just and fair contracts with its workers.

77.     Means of transportation are given in use to the institution or office and not to individuals.
77.1   Vehicles are never registered in the name of individual missionaries.

77.2   Vehicles belonging to the Institute are registered in the name of "Verona Fathers", followed by
address of the diocese or institution where the vehicle operates.

77.3   Vehicles belonging to the Diocese are registered in its name, according to diocesan regulations.

78.     On joining the province, a missionary keeps under his name at the provincial treasury the goods
given to him for missionary activity, until he receives his permanent appointment.

The Provincial Sharing Fund
79.     In order to meet ordinary or extraordinary expenses, the province established the Sharing Fund which feeds other funds: First Formation, Ongoing Formation, Special Formation, Students, Language Studies, Vehicles, Maintenance, Future Developments, Kenyan Radical Confrères Working Abroad, Fixed Patrimonial Fund of the Province.

79.1   The sources of the Sharing Fund are:
- free contributions from missionaries and communities in agreement with their respective community councils;
- the ordinary contribution of 15% of all the offerings received by the missionaries, except the
subsidy from the local Ordinary and usually the projects sponsored by organisations.
- subsidies and donations to this fund from other sources, e.g. benefits from the procure.

79.2   This fund is used to meet the following expenses:
- expenses of the Provincial Superior and his Council;
- contribution to local Church and local Institutions;
- expenses of confreres not covered by other funds or institutions, such as special cases of air fares,
language courses, etc.
- help to missionaries and communities in special difficulties;(requests are addressed in writing to the Provincial Council through the Secretariat of Finance)
- contributions to the expenses of communities hosting numerous missionaries; (e.g. for retreats,
            meetings, courses, rest, on transit, etc.)
- support to the postulants, novices and scholastics of the Province;
- expenses of the Provincial Secretariats and Assemblies;
- feeding other special funds (i.e. Students, Language Studies, Maintenance etc...)
- extraordinary contribution to the Institute.

79.3   A detailed annual report on this fund is presented to all confreres by the Provincial Treasurer at the
Provincial Assembly.

80.     The provincial treasurer keeps a Provincial Reserve Fund which must not exceed 30% of the yearly running expenses.

Community's Income and Applications for Projects
81.     Local communities keep separate administration for Parishes or Institutions in which they work.

81.1   The money of all and every member of the community is kept either in the community's account at the provincial treasury or in the community's bank account (not parish), always under the name of Comboni Missionaries (plus the name of community). For no reason can money be kept with parents, friends or any other person outside the Institute.

81.2   All bank accounts bear the signatures of at least two missionaries, having the power to sign separately. Normally the two signatures are the Superior and the Treasurer of the community.

82.     Financial accurate records are kept of all financial operations, using the common registration system proposed by the finance secretariat.

82.1   Each community keeps a proper inventory of the assets belonging to the Comboni community and of those belonging to the parish or other institution helped by the Comboni missionaries. Such inventory, bearing the description of immovable assets and investments, is the basic document and instrument at hanging over from one treasurer to his successor, and must also be always signed by the competent superior.

82.2   A proper hand-over is done whenever a local superior or local treasurer is changed.

83.     The Institute's income in the Province is derived mainly from the offerings and donations of Christians abroad.

83.1   Kenya bishops stress that local contributions must increase gradually, in order to create a self-supporting local church.

83.2   The Comboni missionaries in Kenya endorse this Episcopal policy by:
- limiting their expenses;
- planning, while taking into account local conditions and the need to give witness of individual and community poverty;
- getting the local community fully involved at every stage of any financial activity .

84.     The community disposes of the offerings and donations received by itself or its members, according to the intentions of the donor, the development plans of the parish and of the diocese.

84.1   The request for funds for particular projects needs the consent of the community and the agreement of the zone; it has to be forwarded in writing and with the signatures of the members of the community and the zone for the approval of the Secretariat of Finance, of the provincial council and the diocesan planning office. These projects will be exempted from the 15% contribution to the sharing fund.

84.2   No community keeps large sums of money for too long without specific and proper cause. The money for approved projects is kept in a separate account and all approved projects must have a deadline if accomplishment. At the end of every year, the community Council disposes of the "Superavit" which is what exceeds 6 months of ordinary expenses. It must be disposed in this way: 50% is given to the provincial sharing fund and 50% is given to the local church.

84.3   Inheritance In case of inheritance or legacies, whenever a missionary is named in a will, care should be taken to respects the expressed will of the donor. If the missionary is the heir or the legatee, without other indication, the case is to be referred to the provincial Council of the place where the good are allocated. The council in its decisions should keep in mind the present situation of the missionary. Disputes should be admitted to the General Administration.

85.     When a missionary is transferred to another community, his former community, through a deliberative vote decides to help him according to its possibilities and the needs of the new community where he has been assigned.

86.     Acts of ordinary administration refer to the normal running of the community. Acts of extraordinary administration regard new buildings, special repairs of old ones, purchase of cars or other goods which can not be considered for ordinary running.

86.1   Communities, to undertake extraordinary expenses up to US$ 10,000.00 need the deliberative vote of the community Council. For expenses over US$ 10,000.00 the permission may be granted by the provincial council, after consulting the provincial secretariat for finance.

86.2   Extraordinary expenses by the CBC and Scholasticate also need the approval of the Provincial Council.

86.3     Contributions to confrères:
1. The financial contribution of the Province towards a confrere's celebrations of his priestly ordination or perpetual profession will be a maximum of US$ 1,000.

2. At the departure of the newly ordained/perpetually professed for the mission, the Province will provide a maximum of US$ 1000.

3. A confrere, bother/priest, going on home leave is entitled to taker a maximum of US$ 500 with him. This is normally supplied by his community. For special needs, one should dialogue with his community and with the Provincial Superior.

4. After profession, on leaving the novitiate house for his home Province, the newly professed will be given US$ 250.

Section II: Finance Organisation Structures

Finance Organisation of the Province
87.     The financial administration of the province is provided by the provincial treasurer and the secretariat of finance.

87.1   To be appointed provincial treasurer a confrère is given the opportunity for an adequate technical preparation.

87.2   In Kenya the provincial superior is also the legal representative of the Institute together with other confrères named in the board of trustees. He is not therefore to act in legal matter personally, but should normally grant general power of attorney to the provincial treasurer.

87.3   The provincial treasurer is to keep a record of the value of the patrimonial assets of the radical members of the Kenya Province, so that their amount-value may always appear in the account of the Province as a long term debt towards the missionary, until his death or his leaving the Institute.

87.4   Investments Only the provincial treasury may transact investments and perform foreign exchange operations. The authorisation of the provincial council is required for investing money for long periods of time. Fixed deposits for a period of less than one year are not considered investments.

87.5   In investments we have to pay particular attention to ethical and social criteria, in order not to contradict in this sector our style of life-sharing with the exploited and marginalised people 88.6       Speculation must be excluded from any financial investment; preference should be given to investments offering greater security, even if at lower rates. The patrimony is to be divided out in investments of different types to minimise the risks (see CA ’03 no. 101.1-3).

87.6   Confrères not belonging to the Kenya Province who want to help people using the services of the Kenya Procure have to have the authorisation of their Provincial in a written form.
87.7   The Province does not accept the administration of personal asset of the missionary if the beneficiaries are not members of the Institute.

88.     The provincial treasurer carries out the ordinary economic administration of the province and
executes the economic decisions of the provincial council.
His other tasks are:
88.1   To inform regularly the provincial superior and his council about the economic situation of the
province.
88.2   To call the meeting of the provincial secretariat before each meeting of the P.C.
88.3   To visit at least once a year, either in person or through his delegate, all the communities in the province, spiritually animating the Confreres through reflections on the topic of poverty and to audit their financial record and to examine their development activities; to organise meetings for the local treasurers, fostering reciprocal trust and solidarity. By a written mandate of the Provincial Council, to audit the accounts of autonomous administrations present in the Province, always informing them in writing before doing it

88.4   To prepare the provincial budget and annual financial report.

88.5   To inform the communities about the economic situation of the province and of the Institute.

88.6   To give a detailed report each month to each community regarding its account at the provincial
treasury.

88.7   To keep contacts with international bodies and organisations.

88.8   To help confreres in financial and technical matters.

88.9   To keep all documentation regarding title deeds, taxes and insurance polices of the province's
properties.

88.10 To advise in building works and offer general technical assistance.

88.11 To present once a year to all missionaries a detailed account of the sharing fund, after it has been
examined by the secretariat for finance and approved by the provincial council.

88.12 As the legal representative, the provincial treasurer implements wills and other donations in the interest of the Institute or of the Province; he is responsible for the wills of confreres who are radical members of the Province and administers their patrimonies entrusted to him

89      The secretariat follows its own directory approved by the provincial council and revised periodically.

89.1   Ordinarily, it comments the application for assistance from the sharing fund done by members of the province or others.

89.2   Each zone has a confrère who is usually a member of the secretariat of finance. He helps the community of the zone in financial matters and budgets.

Finance Organisation of the Community
90      Every local community has its own local treasurer who, normally, is not the superior. The local treasurer is appointed by the provincial superior and his council after consulting the community concerned.

90.1   The local treasurer keeps accurate records of income and expenditure and informs the superior and the community once a month during the community Council. The report to be sent to the provincial treasurer once a year must be signed by the superior and the local treasurer.

90.2   Together with the annual report, the local treasurer sends to the provincial treasurer the annual budget after it has being approved by the community. This is done by the end of February.

90.3   He looks after the maintenance of the premises, equipment, vehicles and sees that everything is properly insured.

90.4   He pays a just salary to the employees and takes care of their social insurance schemes. In employing or dismissing personnel he is to follow the laws of the country

90.5   When handing over an institution, 50% of the community funds is given to the local church, 50% to the communities to which the members are assigned.

91      In Kenya there are some Institutions run by confrères which are autonomous in their administration, such as the inter-provincial New People Media Centre. Their administrative council is empowered to grant permission for deeds of extraordinary administration, but only up to the limit set by the Provincial Directory and with no authority to make donations and investments, according to no. 87.1 of this Provincial Directory

92      Financial Regulations for confreres who leave the Institute.
1. Confreres of perpetual vows: the form and the amount of help is to be agreed upon between the Province of Origin and our Province, depending on the conditions of the person and of the family. An indicative sum is set at US$ 1,000, together with a firm commitment to help the person in finding an employment.

2. Confreres of temporary vows: travel ticket to go home and US$ 500, to be divided between the Province of Origin and our Province.

3. Confreres in Formation: travel ticket to go home and US$ 300.

4. Novices: travel ticket to go home and US$ 150.

5. Postulants: travel ticket only.

No help is given to confreres who leave the Institute without notice and dialogue.