Managing Material Resources – Reflecting on Simple Life Style

On September 18, 2025, two speakers got the participants going.

The Treasurer General, Fr. John Itaru, started his presentation by talking about the purpose of the Plenary Council according to our Constitutions and Laws (C&L 240, § 3).

Based on the 2022 General Chapter’s recommendations, he presented the Society’s financial situation clearly and transparently, indicating that it is sound and not in crisis. However, the Society faces several challenges, which explains the General Council’s decisions regarding certain financial issues. The Treasurer General’s presentation included figures and reflections.

Some of the points he highlighted are as follows: fundraising initiatives have been undertaken; our parishes should do more to support us; efforts are being made to hand all salary and extra stipends received from pastoral engagement over to the Local Bursar; means of transport remain problematic; and despite the commendable efforts, the dependency at the Society level to finance our mission remains very high, hence the gap between income and expenditure.

The Treasurer General concluded his remarks by stating that three words should guide every Missionary of Africa in the management of our material resources: gratitude, providence, and prudence.

The second speaker was Superior General, Fr. Stanley Lubungo. He addressed the question of simple lifestyle in light of the Capitular Acts. He enriched his remarks with a reflection that he had previously presented in other forums on this topic so dear to us. Below is a link to that reflection, which can be used for meditation on simple lifestyle.

Father Prosper Harelimana, the JPIC-RD Coordinator, was the main celebrant at the Eucharist celebration for all participants.

In the afternoon, the participants met for a plenary session. Father Barthélémy Bazemo, the AMS Provincial, gave a brief presentation on applying for development funds in Washington and Canada. During the sharing session, participants expressed their gratitude to Fr. John Itaru and Fr. Stanley Lubungo for their captivating presentations. They acknowledged that financial challenges must be faced and that simple lifestyle does not mean misery. The fundamental question remains: How can we imitate Christ?

You will find the Superior General’s text on simple lifestyle here.

By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.,

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.,

Integrity in Ministry – Ongoing Formation

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, three speakers gave a presentation. Fathers Pawel Hulecki and Lowrent Kamwaza simultaneously presented the issue of integrity in ministry, while Fr. Aloysius Ssekamatte addressed the theme of ongoing formation and self-care.

Father Pawel led the first session, which began with a prayer incorporating extracts from the Capitular Acts related to integrity in ministry. He then moved on to the recommendations and elements from the Provinces and Sections’ reports. Here are some of the strong points he highlighted: many confreres feel free to share difficulties in their communities; confreres in difficulty are supported: rehabilitation, renewal courses, accompaniment; confreres with difficulties are accompanied locally, not sent back to home Provinces; most confreres have collaborated with the treatment programs; confreres received guidelines against financial scandals – awareness raised.

He then discussed a few weak points, including: some confreres refuse to share due to lack of confidentiality or judgmental attitudes; immediate assistance procedures may vary from one community to another; lack of clarity on long-term monitoring and evaluation of accompaniment effectiveness; lack of systematic monitoring or follow-up to ensure coherence; risk of financial mismanagement if confreres lack proper training or motivation.

Finally, he invited Fr. Lowrent Kamwaza, the Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry, to present his report.

Father Lowrent began by pointing out that the 2022 General Chapter coincided with the promulgation of the “Policy on the Prevention of Abuse and the Protection of Minors and Persons in Situations of Vulnerability” on May 13, 2022. He then presented the Coordination for Integrity in Ministry’s strategic plan for the period 2022-2028. The plan focuses on three aspects: prevention; intervention and management; as well as accompaniment and supervision for quality assurance. The Coordinator listed the many activities carried out by the Coordination and highlighted the challenges encountered in carrying out this function. He concluded with several recommendations: support the PEP/AMS sectors in integrating confreres into existing diocesan structures with established safeguarding frameworks; plan the succession of the Coordinator; consider a six-month training course for confreres in charge of CIM in the Provinces; audit and review the general policy; and finally implement the strategic plan for sessions in the remaining Provinces.

Father Aloysius Ssekamatte then addressed the subject of ongoing formation. His presentation was based on the Capitular Acts and on the report by Fr. Olivier Soma, Coordinator of the session for second-term confreres and self-care. Let us take up here the concluding remarks of his report. Regarding the session for confreres in the second term, he noted its significant contribution to their ongoing formation. “After six to nine years of missionary experience, it is generally welcomed and experienced by many as a moment of growth and renewal from the physical, psychological, intellectual and spiritual point of view”. On the subject of self-care, he stressed that this is first and foremost a personal responsibility. “The Confreres’ Self-Care Team aims to raise awareness among confreres of the importance of Self-care and share information that will help them to develop a holistic understanding of it”. However, the team needs the collaboration of all confreres.

Father Aloysius then addressed other aspects of ongoing formation, inviting Provincial Superiors and Delegate to send confreres to the various ongoing formation sessions. He presented the possibilities offered to confreres by the Society.

Father Barthélémy Bazemo, the AMS Provincial Superior, presided over the day’s Eucharistic celebration.

At the end of the day, participants praised the Coordinator for Integrity in Ministry for his commitment. We will also remember the Superior General’s remark: “Calling a confrere to account does not mean that we are not fraternal”. Regarding ongoing formation and self-care, participants were encouraged to make use of the opportunities offered by the Society with gratitude.

In the evening, the Plenary Council participants were invited to our theological formation house for vespers and dinner, as posted on the Society’s Facebook page.

By: Serge Zihalirwa Boroto, M.Afr.,