The annual meeting of the Conference of Visitors of Africa and Madagascar of the Congregation of the Mission (COVIAM) took place April 6 to 8 2016 in MAPUTO MOZAMBIQUE. Father Alexander Zephirin CM, Visitor of Madagascar and Vice President of COVIAM chaired the meeting in the place of Father Fanta Getahun.
All the COVIAM members were present at the meeting this year with the exception of the new Visitor of Ethiopia and the Regional Superior of Tanzania. The Superior General was represented at the meeting by Father Zeracristos Yousief, CM, the Assistant General.
The agenda included:
- Revision of the statutes of COVIAM
- Presentation on the year of mercy
- Presentation of the new Ratio Formationis
- Orientation on the international missions and mission reports
- Questions on the formation of our candidates
- Election of the new executive (President and Vice COVIAM, and the appointment of a secretary by the President)
Our Assistant General presented observations on topics such as: the Vincentian family in Africa, the new working group of religious dialogue formed by the curia and the next general meeting in Chicago.
A commission was formed by COVIAM for revising the statutes and proposed to the group a new text. After a discussion, COVIAM accepted the new statutes. New items were added such as the recognition of international missionaries as part of COVIAM with the right to vote. The new statutes will be in force for 3 years before any modification can be made.
Father Zeracristos and Father Gary gave us two presentations on two current topics in the Church and in the Congregation of the Mission. Father Zeracristos offered a power point presentation on the theme of “Year of Mercy, Meaning and Responsability“. Father Zeracristos believes Pope Francis wants this year of mercy to help everyone experience God’s love which consoles, forgives and gives hope. He invited us as sons of Saint Vincent de Paul in this year of mercy to do something concrete in the line of mercy and reconciliation. In the second presentation Father
In the second presentation Father Gary based his reflection on the Importance and relevance of the new Ratio Formationis, the proposed document for formation in the Congregation of the Mission. Using powerpoint Father Gary introduced us into the document. He explained the chapters 8 and the 7 stages of formation. The eight main chapters of the document are:
- Overview
- Vocation Ministry
- Postulate
- The internal seminary
- The internship
- The formation of the brothers
- The seminary
- The ongoing formation of members
In a good discussion, COVIAM tried to envision how this is applied in our provinces, vice-provinces and regions. Father Gary concluded his presentation with an invitation to form well our members based on the document.
In regard to the international missions, only the representatives of Chad and Tunisia were at the meeting. We had a general review of the vision of the Superior General and his council. The superior of the Chad mission and the mission representative from Tunisia presented what is happening in these missions and what their concerns were.
Both presentations noted that the bishops have entrusted new responsibilities to the congregation in Chad and Tunisia. A Minor Seminary in Chad and a new parish in Tunisia with new missionaries arrived to strengthen the two missions.
We have followed with great interest the evaluation of the first year of experience of COVIAM for the Common Theologate opened last year at Enugu, Nigeria. This report was read by Father Cyril Mbata, Visitor of Nigeria and representative of the President of COVIAM at the formation at Enugu. In general, we can say that COVIAM is satisfied with the first year of experience. However, we will make efforts to give more time and resources. We hope to create a solid
We have followed with great interest the evaluation of the first year of experience of COVIAM for the Common Theologate opened last year at Enugu, Nigeria. This report was read by Father Cyril Mbata, Visitor of Nigeria and representative of the President of COVIAM at the formation at Enugu. In general, we can say that COVIAM is satisfied with the first year of experience. However, we will make efforts to give more time and resources. We hope to create a solid Vincentian formation program before the next academic year for the better future of the Common Theologate.
Commissions have been formed and they are at work actually to make propositions to Coviam in the near future for the better functioning of the common Theologate. The issue of the Forming of Formators was also raised during the assembly. In the near future the coordinating team for Forming of Formators will propose a plan of action to COVIAM. The assistant general gave us a report on the Vincentian family, the working group of the inter-religious dialogue, the next General Assembly to be held in Chicago. Father José Luis Fernandes was elected as the new president of COVIAM, Father Cyril
The assistant general gave us a report on the Vincentian family, the working group of the inter-religious dialogue, and the next General Assembly to be held in Chicago.
Finally, Father José Luis Fernandes was elected as the new president of COVIAM, Father Cyril Mbata as Vice President and the appointment by the new president of COVIAM of Father Narcisse as secretary that the meeting of this year ended. The next assembly of COVIAM will be held in Moundou Chad on May 2017.
