ANNUAL MEETING OF COVIAM Moundou (Chad) 1-8 May 2017
Assistant General, Zeracristos Yosief, cm reports…
The origin of most Provinces, Vice-Provinces, Regions and missions of COVIAM is in Europe. It is understandable, therefore, that COVIAM experiences the same linguistic difficulty as that of CEVIM. In fact four languages are used by COVIAM: French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.But only English & French are the official ones.
Linguistic diversity constituted the most immediate manifestation of differences among the COVIAM members though concealing a whole lot of other differences like diversity in mindset, lifestyle, cultural practices and even systems of thoughts. As a result in the first decade of its existence (1994-2004), COVIAM really struggled to achieve the necessary consensus to focus on common ideas or common projects. It was obvious that cultural and linguistic differences were posing a challenge to the principles of regional cooperation. However, years of persistent efforts enabled the members to transcend the challenges posed and embrace a coherent vision of cultural diversity which, far from being a threat or challenge, was seen as an opportunity opening the way for initiating regional common programs.
Who could have ever thought that COVIAM would have a joint international mission or a common regional formation program? International Mission in Chad which began in 2011 and common regional formation program in Enugu which began in 2015 are the glaring examples of common projects initiated and administered by COVIAM. Success doesn’t just happen. It is based on planning and organization. The COVIAM needs to be commended for what it has achieved so far despite all the challenges. It is now able to dream bigger and noble endeavors.
One of the biggest hurdles for the realization of its dreams is economic instability. In the past COVIAM was criticized mainly due to its lack of efficient organization, strategic planning, lack of foresight and innovative common programs beneficial to the confreres in the region. When one goes deeper into the reality of the situations one realizes that these criticisms are unjustified. We can have well-articulated and innovative strategic planning only if we have the assurance of two fundamental elements in place: personnel and finance. The COVIAM members were lacking, for the most part, the economic assurance needed for making a good strategic planning. When you are left with empty hands and bare feet, you cannot do much of planning to realize your dreams.
The reality is that none of the member Provinces, vice-Provinces, Regions, and Missions under COVIAM is economically self-sufficient. The infrastructure, the lifestyle, the transportation means, the cost of living and the level of comfort in the provinces vary according to the possibilities and financial capabilities of their mother provinces. Some economically powerful provinces have been able to invest millions of dollars in creating giant structures. Of course, now, to maintain the huge structures substantial amount of financial resources have to be found. The capability of generating income internally from within the province or region is seen only in one or two instances.
A change in the perception of our lifestyle is perhaps the need of the hour. We need to adopt a sober lifestyle which respects the lives of the African people with whom we live and for whom we work. The house we live in, the food we take, the dress we wear and the vehicle we use; all seem to suggest that we are more identified with the elite in the society rather than the common man. We live in the well-furnished four storied building to look down on the huts where the common man live.
Certainly, this was not the type of lifestyle adopted by the first Vincentian missionary in Africa, St. Justin de Jacobis (1839-1960). The house he lived in, the food he took, the dress he wore and even the bed he slept in were very much identical with what had been used by the ordinary Abyssinians. The formation houses he had and the Churches he built were perfectly equal to the houses and churches of the Abyssinians of that time. Precisely for this reason St. Justin is imprinted and lives on in the hearts and minds of the Abyssinians. He was a true Son of Saint Vincent, a true missionary of Jesus. The true missionary found his mission not on the power of money, but on that of faith lived in hope, Certainly hope “never disappoints” (Rm 5,5).
Although the African continent is blessed with lots of valuable natural resources, its inhabitants are mostly mired in poverty. That a continent’s abundant natural resources can have so little effect on its people’s quality of life over so many years appears strange, but that is the sad reality of African continent. The COVIAM reflects this reality. In most of our communities in Africa, we are blessed to have vast areas of fertile land and streams flowing through the land. Yet we have not learned to manage the soil and land to achieve some direct benefit. We don’t even produce things for our own consumption. It is not that we have not discovered the fact that good land management returns a financial and emotional reward. Though we know it, we just do not venture into the productive use of our available land.
It is true that in the past some formators misled the Africans saying, “Money is not a problem!” As if there were inexhaustible sources of money! At that time we the Africans did not manifest our intelligence to react to this form of slavery, perhaps for our young age. However, thanks to God, in recent times there is a greater awareness and as a result, a new mentality is developing within COVIAM: “the strategy of small steps“. This new mentality speaks about our conviction and determination to walk according to the size of our legs. If it was not for the emergence of this new mentality, it would not have been possible to begin the regional common formation program in Enugu, Nigeria. It began with the sole contribution of the COVIAM members. Certainly this change in mindset and consequent determination to take small steps are not without challenges because some have expressed concerns and anxiety regarding its practicality. However, COVIAM is determined to take small steps to accomplish her noble dreams.
This new vision of things helps us to carry out the projects at different phases. For example, in places where education is an absolute priority, African wisdom says: do not expect to build a four-story building to start education, rather start under a large tree or under a curtain with available local resources. In the second phase initiate activities to ensure its continuity. There was a conviction in the effectiveness of this method behind the beginning of common formation project in Enugu, Nigeria, in the year 2015. We are aware of the criticisms out there regarding its beginning and future success. COVIAM is convinced that the common formation program in Enugu can lead to greater interprovincial collaboration in Africa in particular and in the Congregation in general.
Two young brides, excited about the love they experienced at the time of their marriage, but at the same time worried about how to preserve them in their lives, went to talk with a wise man from their city. “Teacher, they said, what must we do to preserve this love that we are experiencing now?” The Master replied, “Son, have a thing or a person that you both love with the heart“. COVIAM is finally determined to have a common project giving the opportunity to grow its candidates for greater collaboration in the future.
I would like to conclude by saying that the annual assembly of COVIAM in Chad has taken place in a very fraternal climate, though the weather conditions were not very pleasant; having temperature from 40 to 44 degree Celsius throughout. Moundou, Chad, was chosen as the place of the annual meeting because Chad’s mission is looked after by COVIAM in collaboration with the General Curia. On May 6, 2017, members of COVIAM were expected to visit Bebalem, the mission started in the year 2011. Unfortunately, the heavy rain and thunderstorm that day made it impossible to travel through the mud road to reach the place. We made an attempt but had to return from half way. Obviously, the confreres, Daughters and the faithful of Bebalem who were eagerly waiting for us were very much disappointed. We were sorry we could not visit our first mission. We simply cannot help certain situations. Certain situations are beyond our control. We are greatly thankful for all the rich experiences.
It was all very nice (see photos below).
Zeracristos Yosief, cm
Assistant General
