Meeting of the Provincials of Africa
From 25 to 27 January, the five Provincials of the Marist Region of Africa met in Lilonguwe, Malawi. Brothers Ken McDonald and Ă“scar MartĂn, General Councilors, were present. The group welcomed two new provincials, Br. Alphonse Tiamaro, Province of Madagascar, and Br. Mark Omede, Province of Nigeria. The other provincial prsents were Brothers Emmanuel Mwanalirenji-Gunduloni (South Africa), Cyprian Bankakuu Gandeebo (West Africa) and Venceslas Baindekeli Beimoyato (PACE).
“The meeting of Provincials of Africa in Lilongwe was a moment to closely follow the Marist life and mission on this continent,” stressed Br. Óscar. “It is very interesting to see how there are regional advances, shared dreams and many projects,” he added.
During the meeting, the Conference of Superiors of the African Continent (CSAC), the provincials discussed a number of important issues concerning the future of Marist Life and Mission in the region of Africa. “There was open and honest discussion in an atmosphere of fraternity and a real sense of hope for the future”, said Br. Ken.
Another highlight was the visit to the Lavalla200> Community of the Region, newly created in Malawi last October. It was a moment of rich coexistence, sharing about dreams and difficulties, and living the shared charisma. The community is made up of two Brothers (Frédéric Nadji Ngarsandje from Chad and Dièudonnè Byenda from Rwanda) and two Marist laywomen (Maggie Virginia Gundo from Malawi and Maria Liezel Igoy from the Philippines).
The Provincials had also a moment with the bursars of the Region, who had at the same time a meeting in Lilongwe.
Some topics in the agenda of the provincials’ meeting were:
- Report of BOT-MIUC to CSAC
- African Mission Commission
- Recommendations of Vocational forum of Formators
- Report of MIC and MIUC: New Academic Year 2023-2024
- Budgets of CSAC and BOT-MIUC
- Courses in Africa 2024: Child rights / Spirituality of the heart / Community leaders
- Connection with Br. Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, Vicar General, about formation in leadership
- Prevision-forecast of Formators
- Commissions: Reimagining MIC-MIUC / African Structures / Marist new work
- Lavalla200> community in Malawi
- The monitoring tool Child Protection Policies
