After four weeks of chapter work, Fr. Sylvester Heereman, L.C., speaks in this interview conducted by Karl-Olaf Bergmann, director of the communication office for Western and Central Europe, on the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ in Rome: on the culture of spiritual dialogue, the long journey of renewal in recent years and the request for prayers for the next six years.
For almost a month now, the General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ has been meeting in Rome, an event that takes place only every six years and which orients the future of the Congregation. Sylvester Heereman, L.C., delegate for Western and Central Europe, describes his impressions as marked by prayer, sharing and decisions: an atmosphere characterized by openness, a willingness to understand one another and a culture of dialogue that leaves room for the action of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, he emphasizes that it is not so much a question of “great novelties” as of patience and consistency on the road to renewal, and of discerning together what aspects should be prioritized in the coming years.
P. Sylvester, after almost a month of General Chapter in Rome: your provisional balance in one sentence? And why does a General Chapter last so long?
My provisional balance is this: together we always find a way, even when sometimes it seemed impossible.
The Chapter, in effect, lasts a long time. In larger congregations, 3 to 4 weeks is usual. In our case, 5 to 6 weeks. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that the General Chapter is held only every six years and is the highest instance of government in the Congregation. In our particular case, we have introduced many changes in the last 12 years in important areas: formation, exercise of authority, community life, administration, protection of minors and the structure of the great Regnum Christi family. In these weeks all these changes are reviewed to evaluate if they have been implemented, if they have been taken on board, if they have borne fruit and if adjustments are needed.
Where do you perceive that the General Chapter “walks in the Holy Spirit”, as Fr. John Connor, L.C. said? In prayer, in common conversations, in decisions or in dealing with each other?
I perceive it above all in the way we treat each other and in the culture of dialogue. We speak to each other with great sincerity and openness, despite differences of opinion. In this climate, the Spirit of God can act with greater freedom, although it is never automatic and always requires from each of us the willingness to understand our brothers and sisters.
In addition, in the Chapter we have adopted the so-called “spiritual dialogue” as a method, inspired by the Synod on Synodality. Important topics are first addressed in small groups, where everyone can intervene and where we serenely seek not only consensus, but a shared intuition about the action of the Spirit.
In your opinion, what are the fundamental questions guiding the direction of the General Chapter for the future of the Congregation?
I can't say for sure yet. All the possible topics are on the table. It seems to me that the underlying tone is to move forward with patience and constancy in the renewal begun in recent years, letting it permeate more and more the culture of community life. This has many ramifications. It is a matter of walking together, while respecting that the experiences and rhythms are very diverse.
What spiritual fruits do you already perceive now, and what does this mean concretely for the spiritual family of Regnum Christi?
A spiritual fruit that we are experiencing in these days and that we hope to “take home” is this attitude of wanting to understand, to express ourselves frankly and to seek the way together, beyond differences.
Are there some or some orientations of the Chapter that could be especially important for the territory of Western and Central Europe, both spiritually and apostolically?
It is still too early to say. It was only last week that we began to address the various issues. The first two weeks were dedicated to assimilating the many reports on the life and mission of the Congregation and, naturally, to choosing the new government. The concrete accents will be defined in the next few days. I think that there will be no great novelties, but rather continuity in the implementation of institutional renewal, a process in which we are still immersed.
Many in Europe are still unfamiliar with the new CEO. How would you describe him, from your personal experience, in a few words? Which priority seems to occupy a central place in your heart?
I have known Fr. Carlos for a long time. We have not lived in the same community or worked closely together, but we have met frequently and, for example, have attended the last three General Chapters together. A few months ago he was in Düsseldorf visiting the places connected with his family history. His grandfather was a German Jew who emigrated before the war; all the family that remained in Germany died.
Carlos is a spontaneous and direct person. He says what he thinks; with him everything is clear and direct. He is cheerful and approachable, knows how to listen and is also very determined. These qualities will be of great help to him in his new responsibility. I think that his main concern is the good of his confreres.
What has touched you personally the most during these weeks - perhaps an encounter, a moment of prayer or a decision? Why do you ask for the prayers of everyone in Regnum Christi?
I pray, above all, that we may discern together what elements should mark the next six years, so that we may all grow more in our vocation to make Jesus present, who goes out to meet people, shows them the love of his heart, gathers them together, forms them and sends them out.
What moved me most was the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit in the elections.
Profile
Sylvester Heereman, L.C., was born on September 10, 1974 in Bad Neustadt an der Saale (Germany). In 1994 he entered the novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ in his native country. He took his first vows in 1996 and perpetual profession in 1999. From 2001 to 2003 he was territorial secretary in Italy. From 2004 to 2006, while completing his studies, he was part of the team of formators at the International College of the Legionaries of Christ in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 23, 2006.
On February 6, 2007, he was appointed Territorial Director for Germany. Following the unification of this territory with that of France, he was appointed territorial director of Western and Central Europe on June 10, 2011. On February 16, 2012, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis appointed him vicar general.
Álvaro Corcuera, L.C., assumed the duties of Director General of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi on October 15, 2012, following his temporary resignation for health reasons. In the Extraordinary General Chapter of 2014, he was elected General Councilor.
Sylvester is currently the coordinator of vocation ministry in Germany and a member of the Territorial Board of Directors of Regnum Christi in Germany.
