As the Pan-African Congress of Capuchins approaches, the Capuchin communities of the continent are experiencing a time of listening, study, and fraternal discernment: a journey that, month after month, is taking on a truly “shared and African” character.
The journey towards PANAF 2027 is getting ever closer, and with it, the foundations laid so far also seem to be taking shape. There are seven core themes currently under discussion in the Capuchin communities of Africa. Six experts have worked tirelessly to guide the reflections, leaving to the friars the responsibility of adapting the issues to their own concrete realities and situations. Six months prior to the Congress, the friars felt that it should not simply take place in Africa: it had to be African. The Congress will be held in Addis Ababa, from February 1 to 6, 2027.
The first months of 2026 were dedicated to making the event known to all the friars of the two Conferences, selecting the experts, defining the program to be followed, sending the questionnaires to be filled out by the friars, and activating the communication channels to expand and connect the African Circumscriptions around the preparation and celebration of the PANAF 2027 Congress.
The results of the questionnaires, which progressively arrived at the secretariat, allowed the experts to grasp a general picture of the feelings of the Capuchins in Africa and of their mission in the different situations in which they carry out their mission. These questionnaires were designed to encourage discussion among the friars and to bring out the most concrete situations of fraternal witness in their respective Circumscriptions. Many friars responded generously to the invitation. The results were then handed over to the experts, who drew from them the first rational bases for the development of the themes.
After the first stones, a new invitation to dialogue
Based on the results of the received questionnaires, the six experts chosen by the CAMSA leadership had to present, within an agreed time, the working document of the articles being drafted. To ensure a more refined and shared study of the themes, the projects were made available to all the friars of Africa. Thus, a new method was introduced to involve the friars more in issues that not only interest them, but which they experience daily. This method consisted of dividing the themes and sending them to the friars according to the ministry they exercise in their respective communities. During the month of September, the friars were called to delve into the following themes in relation to their ministry:
- Guardians of the fraternities — all guardians of the fraternities must participate in a discussion on the IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONS IN AFRICA AND OF THE CAPUCHIN IDENTITY.
- Formators and formandi — all formators and formandi, including those attending higher studies, must reflect on the theme EDUCATING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GROW BOTH IN HUMAN RELATIONS AND IN FRANCISCAN RELATIONS.
- Missionaries — those engaged in the mission must discuss the theme MISSION AS COLLABORATION IN HUMAN AND FRATERNAL RELATIONS.
- Bursars and financial administration managers — all members of the fraternities and those involved in financial administration must participate in a discussion on FRATERNAL ECONOMY IN LIGHT OF THE GROWTH OF HUMAN RELATIONS.
- Pastoral care leaders — all Capuchin priests working in parishes and those involved in pastoral work must delve into the theme THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE CAPUCHIN FRIARS WITH LOCAL ORDINARIES.
- JPIC animators and social service workers — all JPIC animators and all social service workers must discuss the theme JPIC IN AFRICA.
A link was later made available so that the friars could respond and enrich the documents already drafted. The contributions collected will then be shared with the six experts, who will complete the work to be delivered to the Preparatory Committee for the final drafting of the documents.
A sincere reflection in the Year of the renewal of the charism
The experience of this second method is today animating the friars, involving them in what they know best.
Meanwhile, in the various Circumscriptions of Africa, the number of friars is growing who do not limit themselves to sharing and studying these themes linked to the current mission in the Continent, but also seize the opportunity to renew their Franciscan and Capuchin charism through reflections, celebrations, and other initiatives linked to the 8th centenary jubilee of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. The second half of the year, with all the feasts included between the Indulgence of the Portiuncula, the Stigmata of St. Francis, the feast of Padre Pio, and the preparation for the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, was a propitious occasion to strengthen and reawaken our desire to make ourselves more present to the people, especially the poor, as Capuchin Franciscans who exercise their ministry in this beloved, yet so tested, Continent that is Africa.