Yaoundé, Cameroon. From December 4 to 14, 2024, African Claretian Missionaries, through the governments of different major organisms, convened in Yaoundé with the General Government for a 10-day meeting to chart strategic directions for strengthening their mission across the continent. Focused on addressing contemporary challenges such as clericalism and sociocultural divisions, the participants emphasized synodal leadership, authentic community life, and the reinforcement of their Claretian identity.
The participants reaffirmed the centrality of the Word of God in their lives and missions, proposing initiatives such as weekly lectio divina, enhanced biblical formation, and the publication of Scripture-centered works. They also prioritized diversifying apostolates beyond parish boundaries, improving teamwork, and balancing missionary expansion with the consolidation of existing communities.
“Strengthening our sense of mission demands creativity and collaboration,” noted one participant. Discussions also highlighted the importance of financial sustainability, urging African Organisms to develop autonomous projects aligned with the Congregation’s apostolic priorities. These efforts will be underpinned by strict transparency and accountability measures.
Key resolutions included promoting intercultural formation and shared projects like the Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa (InCLA) and the Padre Xifré Novitiate, ensuring a more integrated and universal mission. Addressing the spiritual and personal well-being of missionaries, the group committed to fostering deeper personal prayer, spiritual accompaniment, and early intervention for challenges such as alcohol abuse.
Concluding the gathering, the participants underscored the urgency of promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all missionaries. These resolutions set a bold and clear trajectory for renewing the Claretian mission in Africa, faithful to the congregation’s charism and responsive to the continent’s realities.
