Governance: Managing Human Resources – Accompanying Confreres – Senior Confreres Senior Confreres
On September 19, 2025, fathers Anselme Tarpaga and Stanley Lubungo led the Plenary Council.
Father Tarpaga, Assistant General, said that if our charism is the feet of the Society, then leadership is its head. Referring to the Capitular Acts, he listed expressions that describe the Missionary of Africa leader and his responsibilities. He cited the following: service, animation, co-responsibility, subsidiarity, proximity, conversion, planning, formation, and renewal.
He then highlighted the positive aspects of leadership within the Society and the areas in which we still need to improve.
Finally, he discussed what he called “the identity of the M.Afr. leader and his style of governance”. You will find a link to this text below.
The second presentation, led by the Superior General, addressed the well-being of confreres from two perspectives of the Capitular Acts: on the one hand, accompanying confreres, and on the other hand, senior confreres. Father Stanley Lubungo praised the Capitular Acts, emphasizing their positive and prophetic nature regarding the well-being of confreres: “Despite our differences in origin, we live together as brothers and take care of one another”. Unfortunately, he lamented, “reality is not always so glorious”. He added that we should strive to emulate the Samaritan from the parable in the Gospel of Luke, as Fr. Apollinaire Chishugi described in his presentation to the Plenary Council. Those in leadership positions should help their confreres care for others.
Father Jaya Mrutyun, the SOA delegate, presided over the Eucharistic celebration to conclude the morning sessions.
When the plenary assembly resumed in the afternoon, the participants recognized the paramount importance of the two themes presented by fathers Anselme and Stanley, which could be the subject of a recollection. They encouraged everyone to adopt collaborative leadership and remain faithful to our constitutions and laws instead of trying to impose decisions.
Governance and Identity of M.Afr. Leadership by Anselme Tarpaga
By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.
