Identity and Formation of Brothers – Initial and Specialized Formation
On September 17, 2025, the moderator of the Plenary Council, Fr. Charles Obanya, began the day with a presentation in which he invited participants to use Edward De Bono’s six-hat method for reflection.
Father Leo Laurence Maria Joseph, Assistant General, then opened the first topic of the day: Identity and formation of the brothers. In his introduction, he pointed out that all the reports from the Provinces and Sections had affirmed that “Brothers are consecrated Missionaries of Africa, united with the priests by the same oath, and called to serve the mission of the Church in complementary but distinctive ways”.
He then presented the statistics from the 2025 personnel book. At the beginning of this year, the Society had 63 brothers and five brother candidates in formation. Father Leo Laurence then addressed several points concerning the brothers’ vocation: formation and professional training, roles and appointments, identity and recognition, pastoral involvement and missionary insertion, challenges and perspectives, and recommendations moving forward.
In his conclusion, he affirmed that the brothers’ vocation within our Society was respected and needed. Nevertheless, it required deliberate support to ensure visibility, integration, and development. Then, he invited Bro. Anthony Baaladong, the Coordinator of the formation of brothers, to present the committee’s report on the subject.
The committee was set up by the General Council to implement the 2022 chapter’s recommendations. It is made up of five members: brothers Anthony Baaladong, Rodgers Mwansa, and Jacek Rakowski; and fathers Gilles Efiyo and Evariste Some.
Brother Anthony presented the process undertaken by the committee, breaking it down into five points: identification of the Society’s documents on the formation and identity of the brother; evaluation of the current formation system; listening to the experience of other “mixed” congregations; listening to the experience of some confreres; and finally, reflection, discussion and drafting of their recommendations.
One new element proposed by the committee is adopting a policy that candidates will not be asked to declare their desire to become priests or brothers until the start of their spiritual year.
The Coordinator concluded his presentation by outlining the recommendation for the fourth phase of formation with two approaches. The committee described one approach as “radical”, stipulating that the fourth phase would be devoted entirely to professional studies outside the formation community’s jurisdiction. The “softer” approach, on the other hand, allows the brother candidate to spend just one year in a fourth-phase community.
The second topic of the day was initial and specialized formation. Fr. Leo Laurence presented a panoramic overview of our formation, providing statistics at every phase. We have much to thank the Lord for: the Society is blessed with many vocations. A total of 569 candidates are in formation, including 96 aspirants in propaedeutics and 473 candidates in the four phases of formation. Seventy-two confreres are involved in initial formation as formators, not including vocation and missionary animators.
Fr. Leo Laurence continued his presentation by addressing several other aspects of initial formation, beginning with the office of the Secretary for Initial Formation. He addressed the MSF (Missionaries of Africa Formation Session), a charismatic formation program for our formators, in particular.
Regarding specialized studies, 65 confreres are undergoing training in several fields for over one year this academic year. He mentioned several challenges, including choosing suitable confreres, maintaining internationality, and completing studies on time.
Upon reviewing reports from the Provinces and Sections, he noted several positive signs despite the challenges. Vocation animation remains a priority for the Society as a whole, though it is not without its difficulties. Concerns remain about the quota system for admissions due to a lack of space.
In his concluding remarks, Fr. Leo Laurence assured us that initial formation continues to occupy an important place on the General Council’s agenda. The Council strives to ensure that initial formation becomes a true moment of discernment in view of prophetic witness.
Father Aloysius Ssekamatte presided over the Eucharistic celebration on September 17, 2025.
In the afternoon, participants shared their reflections on these topics using the See-Judge-Act method. Regarding the brothers’ vocation within our Society, several participants favored the softer approach. Yet, it was clear that the brothers’ vocation is a gift to our Society. Regarding the vocation promotion and formation process, participants at the Plenary Council emphasized discernment, solidarity among provinces and sections, and respect for the Vademecum.
By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.,
