Mission: Listening and Collaborating with the Local Church – Justice and Peace, Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
The theme of mission, as outlined in the Capitular Acts, was the focus of the Plenary Council held on September 11, 2025.
Three presentations guided the participants’ discussions: those of the General Assistants, Fathers Aloysius Ssekamatte and Pawel Hulecki; and the JPIC-ED Coordinator, Fr. Prosper Harelimana. Each presentation addressed some aspect of the mission described in the Capitular Acts.
Fr. Aloysius Ssekamatte addressed the topics of “Listening and Collaborating with the Local Church”. Based on the recommendations of the Capitular Acts and reports from the Provinces and Sections, it was clear that most of our Provinces and Sections have good relationships with the local Church. However, he identified several challenges, including: local people are forgiving of one’s frailty in language learning, but they are less tolerant toward those who disregard or disrespect their culture; very few confreres are competent in writing the local languages at the level of publications; tendency to do what we have always done; some few confreres who opt not to participate in the activities of the local Church; cases of reluctance to accept appointment to mission in poor and remote areas; respectful explanation of the changes that have taken place in our Society and presentation of the way we operate today.
Fr. Pawel Hulecki addressed another aspect of the mission: “Justice and Peace, Integrity of Creation (JPIC)”. After analyzing the recommendations of the Capitular Acts in light of the received reports, he highlighted their strengths. These included: awareness of internal injustices and call to self-reflection; engagement in environmental care (tree planting, clean environment, solar energy); formation of laity and youth is prioritized; strong desire for insertion where key decisions for Africa are made; communities are attentive to social issues: immigrants, abuse, witchcraft, human dignity.
He also mentioned the weak points, including: lack of consistency in handling employees’ situations across Provinces/Sectors; possible over-reliance on a few specialized confreres rather than a shared responsibility; limited follow-up on impact of activities (evaluation, continuity); few confreres are trained for advocacy and lobbying at international/continental level; participation in local associations and Laudato Si’ Platform is still low.
Then, Fr. Pawel invited the Coordinator of JPIC to give his presentation. Father Prosper Harelimana presented a report summarizing the JPIC Coordination’s activities from 2022 to 2025. He began his presentation with the famous quote used by our founder in 1888: “… I am a man, injustice to other men revolts my heart …” Using the JPIC-ED 2022-2028 strategic plan as a starting point, the Coordinator drew out some future perspectives and suggestions: whenever possible, appointing confreres who are passionate about JPIC-ED ministry; encouraging confreres to follow JPIC-ED related online courses (which often are offered at low costs); appointing confreres for further studies in the field of JPIC-ED; evaluate the implementation of JPIC-ED Program for Initial Formation; …
Participants then broke into working groups before concluding the morning with Holy Mass, which was presided over by the Superior General. The afternoon was devoted to sharing experiences. It was remarked that it is by fully living our charism, which is our strength and identity, that a healthy complementarity with the local Church becomes apparent. It was also affirmed that JPIC is part of our charism and DNA. Therefore, no Missionary of Africa should feel estranged from justice issues, whether internal or external.
By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.,
