The Pan-African Meeting of the Capuchins, known as PANAF 2027, has begun its preparatory phase. This major gathering, which will bring together all the friars of the African continent, will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 1 to 6, 2027. Following the official announcement by the General Minister in a letter dated January 20, 2026, the planning has begun. Coordinating this initiative is CAMSA, the Assembly of Major Superiors of the Capuchins of Africa, which has established a committee tasked with handling all preparations and logistics for the event. We recall that on the African continent, the Order has two Conferences: the CONCAO Conference (Conference of Capuchins of West Africa) and the EACC Conference (Eastern Africa Capuchin Conference).
The Pan-African Meeting provides an important opportunity to reflect on various aspects of the Order’s life and works on this vast continent, as well as to strengthen the charism in a region where vocations are on the rise. To this end, the Assembly of Major Superiors has proposed six themes for PANAF, ranging from Capuchin identity and formation to the more practical aspects of mission and collaboration:
- The importance of human relationships in Africa and the Capuchin identity.
- The fraternal economy: fostering growth in human relationships.
- Helping our young people grow in personal relationships and in Franciscan community.
- Mission as collaboration in human and fraternal relationships.
- The Capuchin Friars’ relations with the local bishops.
- Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation in Africa.
Although the Pan-African Meeting will take place in early 2027, the Commission has launched a multi-phase preparatory process aimed at involving all the friars on the continent. As a first step, a questionnaire containing questions on the central themes of the meeting has been sent to all fraternities. The purpose of the questionnaire is to help address the challenges facing the Capuchins in Africa and to suggest ways to express our charism in harmony with the values of local cultures. The goal is to understand the current social, political, economic, and religious context in which each circumscription operates, to determine the future direction to take, and to involve the friars in searching for new paths.
This initial phase is very important because the analysis of the situation of the brothers on the continent lays the groundwork for the issues that will be discussed and decided during the meeting. Furthermore, it sends a clear message: the success of the event depends in part on the responsibility of all the brothers on the continent.
If done properly, this preparation will enable the friars to gather in Addis Ababa in February 2027 already united in spirit and fully prepared to make this event as fruitful as possible.
Official Logo
An official logo was unveiled for the occasion—an image rich in meaning that reflects the current challenges and hopes for the future of the continent and the Order, headed by the motto “Let Us Start Again.” Here are the elements of the logo and their meanings:
- The flame and the splendor: these symbolize our Franciscan charism, upon which we are founded and through which we carry out our work.
- The flame, featuring three colors: dark brown, medium brown, and light brown—separated by a white cord with three knots (the evangelical counsels), symbolizes the African Capuchins, who are united and bound together by the charism of the Order, while each retains their own distinct cultural contexts that further enrich their experience.
- The images of traveling Capuchin friars: symbolizing the five Franciscan protomartyrs (Berardo, Ottone, Pietro, Accursio, and Adiuto—known as the Franciscan Protomartyrs—were five Franciscan friars killed in Morocco on January 16, 1220) and the missionaries from various countries who worked to establish the Order on African soil and gave rise to the indigenous Capuchins.
- The animals, the caravan, and the birds: symbolizing our efforts to achieve stability, peaceful coexistence, and a better future for the continent—where people can work and travel freely, birds in the sky fly joyfully through the air, and animals graze and reproduce without threat.
- The map of Africa: symbolizing our commitment to the world; our mission extends not only to Africa, but to the entire world, wherever our contribution is welcomed.
- A dark blue, slightly choppy ocean: symbolizing the times we live in, which are a mix of turbulence, challenges, and hopes. The choppy ocean signifies two things: the unfair and ever-changing global market policies that are affecting developing countries; and the political instability and economic crises we are experiencing in Africa. The dark blue color of the ocean signifies a time of transition, as the deep night gives way to the bright day.
- The deep night: symbolizing the challenges we currently face, such as economic problems, the lack of adequate systems, the lack of infrastructure suitable for formation, the shortage of qualified formators, and so on; while the bright day symbolizes the hope we have for the future in which, through our collaboration, mutual support, and strong commitment, we will overcome all challenges and bring about the flourishing of the Order in Africa.
From this point forward, let us keep our brothers and sisters on the African continent in our prayers and wish them all the best as they prepare for this momentous occasion.
