The African Mission Commission (AMC) meets in Nairobi
After a lengthy wait for the first opportunity to hold a physical meeting, the African Mission Commission finally managed to hold its first in-person meeting from the time of the pandemic from 29th June to 6th July 2022 in Karen, Nairobi – Kenya. This meeting, coming after a very long time due to the pandemic, was very important because it was the first time to meet in person with two members that have recently been added to the Commission. Besides, it was necessary to meet and share experiences that have in a way negatively affected the smooth implementation of the Commission’s planned activities due to Covid-19.
Key Reflection Points, Proposals and Decisions
Marist Life and Mission on the African Region is need-driven as enshrined in the Strategic Plan (2017 – 2022) that focuses on four main priority areas namely; Child Rights and Safeguarding, Marist Youth Ministry, Communication, and Transformative and Servant Leadership Formation. At the just-ended meeting, the Commission spent most of the time to deeply listen to reports from Administrative Units with interest on the level of implementation of the Strategic Plan. It became clear from the discussion that while Administrative Units have made some positive strides in different areas at varying degrees, there still remains an enormous amount of work to be carried out in the four priority areas covered by the Strategic Plan so as to yield the expected outcomes. This necessitated a critical review of the Strategic Plan which led to a proposal for further extension of the current Plan from 2022 to 2025 upon CSAC’s authorization. The Commission urges AUs to harness results achieved so far and reinforce full implementation of revised activities by propelling different groups and individuals into immediate action.
The Commission also reflected on a few proposals that require urgent attention as follows:
- The Commission is working with relevant authorities and teams to encourage the Region’s participation at the planned online Provincial MYM Coordinators meeting organized by the Secretariat for Evangelization and Education scheduled for 19th July 2022.
- In the same vein, the Commission is also advocating for the Region’s participation at the planned Marist Youth gathering in Lisbon, Portugal in July 2023 and World Youth Day in August 2023.
- There are plans to conduct an online meeting on the Marist Global Network of Schools later this year.
- The New Horizon II project being carried out in the Province of Southern Africa has just entered its third and final year. We look forward to a fruitful end and sustainability of positive outcomes achieved so far. The Commission will be engaging FMSI office in Rome to look at possibilities of replicating that intervention to other AUs within the Region that face similar challenges too.
Membership of African Mission Commission
Currently, the membership of the Commission is as follows:
- Southern Africa – Br. Francis Jumbe, Chairperson
- West Africa – Br. Isaac Kwame Frimpong, Vice Chairperson Madagascar – Br. Michel Maminiaina & Link Provincial Nigeria – Br. Mark Iwu
- Central East Africa (PACE) – Br. Michel Longena Bokolu
- Ex-Officio Members
- Secretariat for Evangelization and Education:
- Br. Carlos Alberto Rojas (Director) Br. Mark Omede (Co-Director)
Vote of thanks
The Commission extended a word of thanks to its founding members (Br Ifeanyi Mbaegu and Br John Kusi-Mensah) who have been recently replaced in the Commission, for their long years of selfless service to the Commission in particular and the Region as a whole. Their wise and dynamic leadership steered the Commission to where it is today. We cannot thank them enough! May God grant them abundant grace in their other roles and responsibilities.
The Commission remains grateful to the support that CSAC offers in support of the works of the Commission. It is hoped that the continued engagement with CSAC will facilitate the realization and growth of Marist Life and Mission in our Region. The difficult times of the pandemic has taught the Commission some lessons. The Commission will continue to learn through prevailing experiences and discern the most appropriate way to move on with CSAC’s dreams and aspirations in alignment with Marist global view.
Members of the Commission continue to appreciate the unwavering material and expert support it receives from the Secretariat for Evangelization and Education. Brothers Carlos Alberto Rojas (Beto) and Mark Omede always accompany the Commission in its reflections and decisions, and steer members of the Commission into action so as to make some giant steps in order to move side by side with Mission Commissions in other Marist Regions of the world.
Re-statement of Purpose
The Commission remains resolute in its commitment to providing the strategic discernment and thinking in the areas of Marist Life and Mission in conformity with the goals and aspirations of CSAC in alignment with the global Marist strategic direction.
In Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Champagnat.
Br Francis Jumbe AMC Chairperson