Luanda, Angola. The first Ordinary Assembly of the Claretian Missionaries of Mãe de África Independent Delegation took place in Luanda from July 15 to 21, 2022. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, Vicar General of the Congregation, and Fr. Pedro Belderrain, CMF, General Prefect of Apostolate, presided and facilitated the Assembly. The Assembly took the theme of the XXVI General Chapter, “Rooted in Christ, Audacious in Mission,” with a sub-theme, “One heart and one soul: for an evangelized and evangelizer Delegation.”
They began on Friday with a retreat that ended on Saturday, July 16, with the Eucharist, in celebration of the 173rd anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation. The occasion was also marked by celebrating some of the members’ religious profession anniversaries. Fr. Zé Alves, CMF, celebrated his 66th year in consecrated life. Then in the afternoon, they began the Assembly’s work, evaluating the Delegation’s life and mission in the past three years.
Then on the third day of the Assembly, Monday, July 18, 2022, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of São Tomé, Msgr. Manuel António Santos, CMF, visited the group and celebrated the Eucharist for them. They continued with the reflection and work of the Assembly.
On Tuesday, July 19, 2022, Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, announced to the body the new team that will lead their Delegation for the next three years:
Major Superior: Fr. Gabriel Isaias, CMF
Consultor: Fr. Francisco De Assis Lopes Britto, CMF
Consultor: Fr. André Kalundoke Satchiquata, CMF
Consultor – Econome: Fr. Inácio Kahamba, CMF
The Assembly ended on July 21, 2022, with the approval of the final resolutions of the work and a general evaluation of the Assembly. Fr. Pedro Belderrain, CMF, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
With the theme, ROOTED IN CHRIST AND AUDACIOUS IN MISSION; ONE HEART AND ONE SOUL: FOR AN EVANGELIZED AND EVANGELIZING DELEGATION, the Claretian Missionaries of Mãe de África leave this Assembly renewed and committed to continue to work for the proclamation of the Gospel and the realization of their dreams as a Delegation going forth.
