Chapter Communication - 26 May 2022
Well, yesterday… …it did not rain. Today the sun has returned to us, this time with a humid heat, which invites us to be patient and reminds us that the Lord is preparing something, or rather someone, for us.
It is difficult to bring news today because everything is happening behind closed doors. I think that the confreres among you who have already participated in a chapter will be able to tell you more than I can on the subject. However, I will venture to give you a detail or two.
During the Eucharist at noon, the main celebrant and preacher opened a small opening for us. He spoke briefly about the preparation for the election of the Superior General, in particular about the words of the Chapter’s spiritual animator, Fr David Sullivan, concerning the qualities of a Superior General. May he be a man of vision, a man of understanding of the realities of today’s world, a person who listens, a leader who is able to put his vision into practice and motivate us in the pursuit of mission today and in living our own missionary charism. Let him also be a man of the Word of God, of prayer, of faith, a man of God.
We observed that the capitulants were more serious and that they took time to share with each other, either in a separate room or somewhere in the garden. The Chapter schedule indicates four ‘election’ times during the day. We have no news about the voting ballots. Yet there is a kind of connivance, a unity between us all in the house.
NOW, AS I WRITE THE INFORMATIONS OF THE DAY, THE NEWS OF THE ELECTION OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL REACHES ME. THE CAPITULANTS HAVE ELECTED FATHER STANLEY LUBUNGO FOR A SECOND TERM.
STANLEY LUBUNGO IS RE-ELECTED SUPERIOR GENERAL
OF THE MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA
TODAY, AROUND 5PM
WE CONGRATULATE HIM AND ASSURE HIM OF OUR SUPPORT.
Let us offer our prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord and to the Holy Spirit for the election of the Superior General. May our Superior General remain the person the mission needs, the person the Church of Africa needs, the person the universal Church needs and finally the confrere the Society of the Missionaries of Africa needs.
Let us welcome him with joy as a gift from the Lord to us. May the Lord sustain him in the accomplishment of his mission.
Stan, all of us, your confreres, thank you for accepting the responsibility of leading the Missionaries of Africa for a second term. We assure you of our friendship, support and prayer for you. May the Lord accompany you, share his wisdom with you, and guide you in the exercise of your responsibilities. May God Bless you always and grant you peace and joy in your ministry.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…
On friday, the day after the election of the Superior General, is a day of relaxation for the capitulants. Work will resume on Monday. I wish you a good weekend.
