The October 2017 Chapter of the Province St. Clemens bade farewell to two of their members, who have been appointed Conference Coordinators. In the closing session provincial vicar Fr. Jan Hafmans thanked Fr. Johannes Römelt for the way he presided the yearly Chapter meetings the last seven years. As of 1st January 2018, Fr. Römelt has been appointed the new coordinator for the Conference of Redemptorists of Europe. At the same date, Fr. Zéphyrin Luyila Ndongala, vice provincial of the vice-province of Matadi (Congo), will take over the same office for the Conference of Africa and Madagascar. He also served, as ex officio member, seven years in the provincial chapter.
At the chapter, Fr. Jean-Robert Diyabanza Luyindula was present as a guest. He is the vicar of the vice-province of Matadi and therefore the successor of Fr. Luyila.
The Chapter discussed extensively the situation in the vice-province of Matadi that is in a slow and arduous process to economic self-reliance. The chapter expressed some concerns about obstacles in this process, but at the same time guaranteed a further financial support of the vice-province and accompaniment of the process.
Another important theme was the report on the third phase of the General Chapter and the decisions of the assembly of the Conference of Europe. The chapter “sees in the presented action plan of the general government for the continuation of the restructuring process, good conditions for coming to a fusion with other provinces as soon as possible.”
Notable was the presence of eight guests who had accepted the explicit invitation for this chapter meeting by the provincial to all confreres and associates.
Jelle Wind
