ICI: A NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Scarboro Missions turns over responsibility for the Interamerican Cooperative Institutoe to new leadership who envision a Latin American Centre for Catholic Social Thought

By Fr. Jack Lynch, S.F.M.
March/April 2010

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Fr. Harvey Steele, founder of ICI

For more than 45 years, the Interamerican Cooperative Institute (ICI), which Scarboro missioner Fr. Harvey Steele founded in Panama, has continued to flourish and is now entering a new period of service. In January of this year, Scarboro turned over the buildings, land, and responsibility for ICI to a new Board of Directors with Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras as President and Carlos Lee, a well-known Panamanian lawyer, as Executive Director.

During the almost 10 years that I served as ICI’s Executive Director, I often dreamed about the day that Scarboro would be able to turn ICI over to a board and staff of Latin Americans. I can remember feeling uncomfortable that a Canadian was still in charge of a Latin American Centre when there were so many qualified Latin Americans.

I actually remember sitting alone on the balcony of the house at ICI one Friday evening, wondering how best to implement a transition, when a group of people arrived for a workshop on the pedagogy of Jesus. The next morning I attended the reflection led by a Mexican theologian. We broke into groups, each with a different gospel text, and were asked to identify the qualities and characteristics of Jesus’ teachings in the text.

Our group was assigned the passage of Luke’s gospel in which the disciples meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus. People appreciated how Jesus was patient and helped the disciples to understand the scriptures. After a number of additional comments, the woman sitting beside me said distinctly and clearly, “Jesus knew when to leave. Like a parent he knew when to let go and leave them on their own.”

No one in my group was aware of my hopes of implementing a transition for ICI. The woman’s words were like a private revelation and encouragement to me to follow through as soon as possible with my dream. That was in the late 90s and the transition has not been quick, but the end result is wonderful.

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez of Honduras, President of the new ICI Board, with Fr. Jack Lynch, signing the transfer of responsibilities of ICI.

From its beginnings, ICI has experienced many forms of transition. Fr Harvey Steele, better known as Padre Pablo, established ICI to train leaders in the cooperative and credit union movement in Latin America. In the mid-70s, ICI followed the guidelines of the Latin American Bishops Conference and promoted the option for the poor in its courses and favoured students who were economically disadvan-taged. In the 80s, ICI’s outreach and course content were diversified to include any grassroots organization that served the interests of the poor and disadvantaged, giving women and their participation greater importance. Over the years the courses and content evolved with time and the changing needs of the organizations.

Throughout the years one dynamic has been constant: with each course a group of approximately 40 participants, leaders of grassroots and cooperative organizations, arrive at ICI. My experience is that on average, the participants have come from 11 or 12 different countries and cultures in the region, primarily Central America, the Caribbean, and the Andean countries of South America. One of the intangible lessons from the program has been the appreciation of the diversity and richness of Latin America, but above all a sense of pride in all things Latin and solidarity among each group of participants that lasts to this day.

In all of ICI’s transitions, its belief in the dignity of the human person and the right to live in dignity as a son and daughter of God has been primary. Secondly, the Institute’s essential conviction throughout the years has always been that education is a key component in consolidating and strengthening any organization and its members. Finally, ICI demands that leaders of any organization be men and women of integrity who manifest a harmony between what they say and what they do. “By their works you shall know them.”

A meeting of the new Board. Panama. January 2010

Catholic Social Teaching

With the transition this year, I have an additional hope for something new and dynamic. The new Executive Director, Carlos Lee, has outlined a vision for the next few years to create at ICI a Latin American Centre for the teaching and diffusion of the Social Teaching and Thought of the Catholic Church. All the Board members heartily endorse this new vision.

We give thanks to God for a wonderful next step and we look forward to seeing ICI grow in both its capacity and influence. We recognize the vision of Padre Pablo and his determination to create a centre at the service of the poor. We pray that God will continue to bless the new vision and the new team.
Fr. Jack Lynch is Superior General of Scarboro Missions.

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