The Extraordinary Visit of the General Government to the Vice-Province of West Africa and to the Mission of Ghana took place from 5th to 9th March 2018. The meeting was in Ouagadougou (Burkina-Faso), at Saint Gerard House. The Visit was led by Fr. Alberto Eseverri, General Vicar of the Congregation and by Fr. Zéphirin Luyila, Coordinator of the Conference of Africa and Madagascar. 63 confreres have participated in the Extraordinary Visit: 31 priests, 16 students in Theology and 7 Novices from the Vice-Province of West Africa and 7 priests and 2 students from the Mission of Ghana.
The visit started on Monday 5th March 2018, at 3:00 pm with the introduction of the confreres to each other and then the presentation of the message of the General Chapter and of the plan of Action of the General Government. At 6:30 pm, we had our opening Mass of the Visit presided by Father Alberto. After supper, Fr Alberto and Fr Zéphirin had a meeting with the students.
The following day, Tuesday 6th March 2018, was the retreat day on the theme of the sexennium: « Witnesses of the Redeemer: in solidarity for Mission to a Wounded World ». The day ended with a meeting between the members of the General Government and the formators.
The 52 decisions of the XXVth General Chapter were presented to us, one by one, on the third day of the visit. And we had time to share on these decisions in small groups. Programme of the third day ended with a meeting with the Lay Associates of the Redemptorists.
On the fourth day, the Communicanda n°1 was presented to us. After the presentation, we met in small groups to make proposals for the restructuring of the Conference of Africa and Madagascar.
Finally, on the last day, the decisions of the 3rd Phase and of the Assembly of the COREAM were presented to the assembly. And our essential task on that day had been the choice of the 4 priorities most important for us. The Extraordinary Visit ended on Friday 9th March 2018, with the closing Mass at 11:30 am.
This Assembly has been a wonderful experience for all of us. We have especially appreciated the fact that, after the General Chapter, the General Government came to explain to us the decisions taken by the Chapter members.
Fr. Noël Koutré SOTTIMA, C.Ss.R
