118 PART TWO: AN EMPIRICAL ACCOUNT having verified that this was true. The Community received the visit in obedience, as a sign of the paternal attention of Pope Francis and as a help in discerning the profound causes of a grave unease regarding ‘the exercise of authority, the handling of governance, and the fraternal climate’ in Bose.281 Four members of the community, including the founder and former prior Enzo Bianchi were summoned to leave the community for some time. The community stressed that no further impediments were imposed and that “the dispositions do not regard in any way questions of doctrinal orthodoxy.”282 Furthermore, the decree signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Vatican Secretary of State) and approved by Pope Francis continues to acknowledge the ecumenical reality of the community through: … [e]xplicit and repeated references to our most precious peculiar traits; the choice of monastic life in celibacy and common life, the presence of brothers and sisters in the same community, the ecumenical composition of its members and involvement in the ecumenical movement, an ecumenism not only spiritual and of intentions, but of a concrete daily life among brothers and sisters who belong to different Christian Churches.283 So far, it is uncertain when, and even whether, Brother Enzo or the other two brothers and one sister will return to Bose. It is a very painful experience for the community. As a side note with regard to the current study, it illustrates obviously that sharing the Eucharist within or across denominational boundaries never safeguards against communitarian struggles. The community generates an income through its printing house Edizioni Qiqajon and several types of handicrafts including pottery, beekeeping, woodworking, and the manufacturing of icons. The fruits of this labor are being sold in the shop at the entrance of the monastery. In addition, the community grows its own crops and several monastics have paid occupations outside the monastery, for example, in a hospital. Apart from the lived ecumenism through living and praying together, the monastics contribute to the ecumenical mission by hosting conferences, mainly on Protestant spirituality and on church architecture. Guests reside in an apartment building designed just for this purpose, with simple but spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms and a common breakfast room in the basement. They have lunch and supper in small 281 Monastero di Bose. 282 Monastero di Bose. 283 Monastero di Bose.
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