Responding boldly to the emerging needs
The eighth Chapter of the Province of Southern Africa took place from the 28 to 31 of October, 2019 in the community of “Marist Secondary School”, in Mtendere , Malawi. The theme of the Chapter was “Responding boldly to the emerging needs”, as an echo to the fifth call of the XXII General Chapter.
The Chapter Assembly was formed by Br. Provincial and twenty-two Delegate Chapter members, from the six countries, which form the Province, including also two Post-Novitiate Brothers from the Marist International Center (MIC). Three Marist laypersons participated as guests (from Malawi, Angola and South Africa) and five Brothers offered their services in the Secretariat, interpretation and photography.
Brothers Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General, Oscar Martin, General Councilor, from the General Administration, participated and Br. Mark Omede, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelization, was invited to be the facilitator of the Chapter and to support the Coordinating committee of the Chapter.
Br. Norbert Mwila, Provincial, named for a second mandate, presented a report on the manner as to how the priorities of the Province have been treated, during the last three years. He thanked the outgoing Provincial Council and the whole Province for their work and for the trust, they have given him as Provincial.
Br. Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General, expressed to the Chapter Assembly, among other ideas, the following:
“With Mary and like her, we can give a greater place to God in our life and have a freer heart, which makes us capable to accept novelty. Southern Africa is a Province of young Brothers, with an average age of 45 years. It is necessary to revive the fire of the passion in our heart to live our consecrated and community life better, to generously serve so many children and young people in the six countries, which form the Province. I thank Brother Norbert, for his dedication, closeness and leadership. My desire for the new Council, that they serve the Province as a Global Family, beyond each one of the countries. I remind you that all, brothers and Laity, in the Province, in Rome, in the Institute, form part of the same team, we wear the same T-shirt as “Marists”: the team of Mary”.
The Chapter reflection centered on five main themes, which offered Br. Provincial and his Council suggestions for the animation and government for the next three years: Community life, Mission, Laity, Formation and Sustainability of our Mission.
The last day, after a process of discernment accompanied by Br. Oscar Martin, the new Provincial Council was elected. The following are the Brothers elected: Ebel Muteveri, Francis Jumbe, Geraldo Medida, Fortune Chakasara, Euclides Nangolo and Evans Musakanya.
In the Eucharistic celebration of the last day, the priest invited Br. Norbert to go to the front, together with his new Council, to receive the blessing and be sent by all the Chapter Assembly.
The Province of Southern Africa is present in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
