Bata, Equatorial Guinea. The Claretian Missionaries of Padre Xifré Delegation have started this Sunday, February 13, 2022, its II Assembly in Bata, in the novitiate community. Members have come from the two countries that compose the Major Organism, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The inaugural session was divided into four phases: prayer, a welcome message from the Major Superior, a statement from Fr. Joseph Mbungu, CMF, the President of the Assembly, and some practical questions.

During the morning of February 14, the participants had a retreat led by Fr. Joseph Mbungu Mutu, CMF. The biblical passage reflected in depth was that of the disciples of Emmaus, which they meditated on at the personal, group, and intergroup levels. A methodology that has enriched them by making the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus converted into two fundamental questions: What do they expect from the Assembly? And what must each of them do so that what they expect materializes?

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They concluded the half-day recollection with a Eucharist presided over by our confrere and pastor, Bishop Juan Matogo Oyana of Bata. The latter invited them to consolidate community life, an expressive sign of our missionary identity.

In the afternoon, they began with the discovery stage, looking at the situation of the Delegation, starting from the presentation of the Report of the first three years of the young Delegation.

“We called to discover the presence of God among us, like Mary, with eyes wide open, attentive ears and well-disposed hearts,” said Brother Carlos Verga, CMF.

During the second stage, dreaming (cf. QC 43), they tried to enter into the dream that God has for them, collaborate in God’s dream in all dimensions, share their dreams, and enter into communion with the dreams of others.

To dream is to make the prophetic dimension of the life of the Delegation come to a reality. We will dare to dream something different. We express our dreams by looking forward to what God has for our Delegation.

After listening and collecting the different interventions, the President of the Assembly concluded by thanking the outgoing Government of the Delegation, Fr. José Engonga Mayo, CMF (Major Superior), and his collaborators for the service rendered during these years that are coming to an end.

Then, Fr. Joseph Mbungu, CMF, made official the appointment of the new Superior and his consultors. After the survey and discernment of the General Government, the Superior General has appointed, for the triennium 2022-2025, the following:

Major Superior: Fr. Felix Oba Eworo Bilogo, CMF. (2nd to the left)

Consultor: Fr. Salustiano Oyono Nguema Mangue, CMF (left)

Consultor: Fr. Théodore Ametrogbo Komlanvi, CMF (2nd to the right)

Economo Non-consultor: Fr. Inocencio Moiché Solebaba, CMF (right)

The Assembly ends on Friday, February 18, 2022.

(News from Fr. Antonio Mosanga, CMF – Delegation Secretary)