Nurturing Solidarity and Belonging in the Society – Interculturality
On Monday, September 15, 2025, two topics were at the center of the Plenary Council.
Father Apollinaire Chishugi, a confrere in Nairobi, was invited to speak on the topic: “Nurturing Solidarity and Belonging in the Society”. He gave a thought-provoking talk based partly on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Through this parable, he presented solidarity as love for our neighbors and ourselves. He also used the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4 to illustrate missionary life as a reciprocal solidarity. Finally, he discussed what he called the unsatisfactory need for renewal of a sense of solidarity and belonging. Throughout his presentation, he provided tangible examples, including personal ones, to demonstrate that, no matter where we come from, love unites us and should always unite us. Nevertheless, he challenged our superiors by pointing out areas that need more attention. For example, he addressed the fears and uncertainties that grip some confreres and the need to value confreres.
Fr. Apollinaire’s talk was related to the second topic of the day: Interculturality. Father Pawel Hulecki presented recommendation after recommendation from the Capitular Acts on “Interculturality as Prophetic Witness”, highlighting the key elements from the various reports that indicated strengths and weaknesses.
Some of the strengths include the following: interculturality is recognized as part of our charism; language learning fosters unity and intercultural exchange; clear recognition of the need for ongoing formation in intercultural living; clear affirmation of the missionary spirit: service beyond one’s home Province; communities’ intercultural life appreciated by local people and Church authorities.
Some weaknesses include: risk of favoritism toward compatriots; possible tension when bilingualism becomes more a requirement than a lived experience; risk that intercultural issues are addressed superficially during big meetings; lack of clear criteria for what constitutes “valid reason” for home service; some leaders may lack skills to mediate cultural differences effectively.
On this day, the Provincial Superior of Maghreb, Fr. Benoît Mwana Nyembo, presided over Mass.
By the end of the day, the hope was that each confrere would feel and say: “The Society is our home”.
(As reported on Friday, the Plenary Council participants visited three prisons on Sunday. This can be seen here, on the Society’s Facebook page).
By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.,
