Interpretation of C 273 — Members (of the Provincial Chapter) [Constitutions and Directory, 2018 Edition] Responding to a question from Provincial Superiors regarding ex officio and elected members of the provincial chapter and their delegates, the General Council, meeting in session on October 21, 2022, acting collegially in accordance with C 306, clarifies: C 273 The provincial statutes should specify who, in addition to the provincial superior, his council and the superiors of the houses, is to participate in the provincial chapter either ex officio or by election. The number of elected chapter members should be equal to or greater than the ex officio members. According to our law, C 272, the elective chapter of a province has two sessions: the first, celebrated before the general chapter, “especially for electing delegates,” and the second, “another session … in order to conclude or hold the election of the Provincial Superior and to elect his Councilors.” So it is always the same chapter, although held in two session-parts. The fundamental issue is the constitution of the chapter members. The ex officio members of the chapter are not subject to election and their participation is self-evident; consequently, the constitution of the provincial chapter takes place with the election of delegates and alternates. This is the decisive moment for the personnel composition of the chapter. Therefore, the following rules should be observed: 1. Each elected delegate has an alternate. If a delegate was unable to attend the first session of the chapter and was represented by an alternate, the alternate delegate, that is, the same alternate who attended the first session, shall attend the second session of the chapter. If the alternate delegate who attended the first session is unable to attend the second session, no one replaces him. Interpretation of C 273 269
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