SVD
Generalate

The meeting evaluated the missionary status of all PRMs through reports from the Zonal Coordinator, the PRMs superiors, various Zonal Coordinators, and Lay Partners. There were inputs from the General Superior and other General Coordinators present. At the end the assembly put together resolutions and recommendations for the next term.

Some Assembly Highlights

As a missionary congregation, we are faced with the demands of the very sophisticated and wounded world. Therefore, we realize that we must be very creative and innovative to make sure that our missionary intervention remains impactful and sustainable. Christ’s Mission is our Mission. The World is our Parish

The best way to do this is through constant evaluation of our apostolates, sharing of resources and best practices across our PRMs (Provinces, Regions, and Missions).

The Zonal Assemblies and meetings help us to consolidate our ideas and resources with the aim of improving our interventions.

During the May Zonal Assembly in Antananarivo, we shared ideas on how our mission in AFRAM Zone can be more impactful.

Our Strengths and Weaknesses

The Theme for 19th General Chapter, talked about the “Wounded World”. During the discussions, the capitulars realized that as SVDs we are also part of the wounded world, and therefore, the call to become “wounded healers”.

In this regard, the assembly identified our strengths and weaknesses, which include the following:

• Gifted people AND with a lot of personal wounds.
• Community oriented AND sometimes weak to deal with conflicts and frustrations.
• Very resourceful people AND in some instances very disconnected to the mission realities.
• Willing to collaborate AND grappling with the tendency to high living standards.
• Religiously correct AND sometimes poorly motivated to missionary work.
• Intellectually capable AND tempted to only do pastoral maintenance.

Impactful Leadership

Since the members of the Assembly were the PRMs superiors and Zonal Coordinator of out 4CDs, it was important to be reminded of the SVD understanding of Leadership. In his input, the General Superior, Rev. Fr. Anselmo R. Ribeiro, highlighted the following aspects of leadership: –

“As SVDs”, emphasized Fr. General, “we understand that leadership in all levels must be Collegial/synodal”. The important aspects of an SVD leader are, Animation, Coordination, and Administration”. The key attitudes of a leader include “Solidarity, Respect, and Love” for the ones that he leads.

One of the ways to heal the wounded world is through VIVAT international, where SVD is a founding member. Through this platform we can carry out Advocacy activities with a Human Rights Based Approach. The key principles of VIVAT are:

-Making the Grassroot voices heard by the global community.

-Advocate for giving to others what belongs to them first (Justice) before giving them what belongs to me (Charity).

-It is about asking the relevant questions rather than propagating unsustainable projects.

-Participating in the United Nations Human Right Council to represent JPIC efforts from the grassroots.

-To bring the attention of the world to what is happening at the grassroots.

-Lobbying at permanent missions of member states.

-Our participation as SVD is Crucial.

Finances

Missionary work needs resources both financial and personnel. Bearing in mind the dwindling donor funding for missions in the world today, the few last General Chapters have been stressing on self-reliance for sustainable mission. The assembly discussed the ways that the zone could work toward financial and personnel self-reliance. The assembly made resolutions and recommendations toward the realization of self-reliance. These include: –

• Sharing of personnel across the zone
• Training more confreres in professional apostolates
• Being deliberate in proper financial management
• Investing in sustainable projects
• Investing in Lay Partners

The assembly also elected a new zonal leadership team that will serve a four-year term. Below is the new team

1. Fr. Hugo Calis – Zonal Coordinator
2. Fr. Cyprian Kuupol – ExeCom Chairman
3. Fr. Lawrence Muthee – Zonal Communications Coordinator
4. Fr. Martin Cingel – Zonal Mission Animation Coordinator
5. Fr. Frank Owusu Ayakwah – Zonal Bible Coordinator
6. Fr. Nicholas Aazine – Zonal JPIC Coordinator
7. Br. Gabia MFUDI – Zonal Brother Contact Person
8. Fr. Lambert Assogba – Zonal Formation Coordinator
9. Fr. Ioane Racumu – Zonal Finance Coordinator

Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
Zonal Communications Coordinator