Rome, Italy. The General Government met with all the Major Superiors of the Congregation online via Zoom at 12:00 GMT today, May 28, 2020, in view of the XXVI General Chapter. All the Major Superiors were present except for Padre Xifré Delegation. Fr. Yves Loussou, CMF, its Delegation Vicar, participated on his behalf. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, facilitated the order of the meeting.

After Fr. Artur Teixeira, CMF’s giving of instructions and guidelines during the meeting, Father General led the opening prayer. Then the presidents of the different Conferences presented the present situation of the Organisms in their respective Conferences amidst the current pandemic. They answered two questions: How is the pandemic affecting the Major Organisms of the Conference? And how are the Major Organisms living the situation created by the pandemic?

After a fifteen-minute break, Fr. Manuel Tamargo, CMF, General Econome, presented to the body the impact of the pandemic on the economy of the Congregation. He called for a responsible sharing of goods in our Congregation, in the management of investments and expenditures, etc.

Father General then delivered his address to the Major Superiors. He pointed out the role of the Major Superiors, the members of the Local Communities that will take part in the synodal process of the Chapter, bottom-to-top method. Fr. Mathew stressed on the need to create conversations, dialogues, and listening to that which generate life and creativity. He also made the call to welcome the process of preparation as a time of grace, saying that the Chapter itinerary itself is as decisive as the final goal. The complete address is available here: https://www.claret.org/en/our-congregation/general-superiors/mathew-vattamattam/

The meeting ended with a fifteen-minute prayer led by Fr. Gonzalo Fernandez, CMF. And before the final blessing, Frs. Rosendo Urabazo (USA-Canada) and Simeon Nwobi (East Nigeria), CMFF, gave their own words of gratitude for the support and prayers during the time of loss. The chronicle of this meeting was sent to the Provincial and Delegation Secretaries.

Two more separate meetings shall take place – tomorrow (Spanish speaking Major Superiors) and the day after tomorrow (English Speaking Major Superiors). Father General will address the whole Congregation on May 31, 2020.