In preparation for the forthcoming Enlarged General Council (EGC) 22 June – 5 July, the General Council (GC) hosted a zoom meeting for Delegates and functionaries on Thursday 15 May 2025. A total of 102 confreres from different unions of circumscriptions, participated in the virtual meeting. the Superior General, Fr. Alain Mayama, welcomed all the delegates and functionaries, and informed them that the zoom meeting is a preliminary step towards the EGC in about 4 weeks in Chevilly -Larue, and an attempt to help the delegates and functionaries to be familiar with the nature and processes of the EGC. He explained that the choice of France as the host for this EGC is linked to the 2nd phase of our animation plan on Spiritan spirituality, and our presence in France, will give the delegates the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our founders.
The decision to hold the event in France is deeply symbolic. Paris is not just a geographical location—it is the cornerstone of Spiritan history, the city where Claude Poullart des Places and Francis Libermann founded their respective Congregations, and where their historic “merger” in 1848 forged the unified Spiritan identity that continues to inspire generations. For us, today’s heirs, Paris stands as a beacon of renewal and continuity for the Congregation’s mission.
Fr. Jude Nnorom’s presentation focused on the nature and functioning of the EGC. While some confreres may have previously participated in EGCs, and perhaps General chapters, the 2025 EGC may be the first time for others. So, it is helpful to explain the nature and functioning of the EGC. Ultimately, the EGC is an introspection on how the Congregation has implemented the decisions of the last General chapter.
Nature of EGC: The EGC is one of the directives of Spiritan Rule of Life. It is an opportunity to respond creatively to the needs of evangelization of our time (SRL 2), provides an opportunity to reflect on how different circumscriptions are advancing the decisions of the General chapter. It is a consultative assembly which is convoked by the Superior General with the consent of his council in between two ordinary chapters (SRL 205). Yet, the EGC is not a mini chapter, and is not an intermediate supreme authority of the Congregation. There is no election conducted during the EGC, and it is different from a circumscription’s enlarged council which could be elective. Although it is neither elective nor prescriptive in terms of making new laws for the Congregation, the EGC is a midterm evaluation of the last General chapter. Its moderators could call for some form of voting, to determine the weight of a particular advice for the GC, and the thinking of the delegates.
The EGC could be described as the council of the GC. It provides an opportunity for the Superior General and his council to share with the confreres how they are implementing the decisions of the last General chapter, the challenges they are encountering and perhaps to seek a wider clarity on the interpretation of the decisions of the General chapter. The GC listens attentively to the counsel of the delegates, and through the instrumentality of the EGC, gets a feel of how the Congregation is responding to the mission of the congregation. It also helps the GC to begin the preparations for the next General chapter in 2029
Expectations from the Delegates: The GC thanked the delegates for accepting to represent their unions. However, the GC reminded them of her expectations of them during the EGC. Primarily, the delegates are requested to prayerful study and reflect on the document of the last General chapter (Bagamoyo II), and the position papers that will be presented during the EGC. They are also expected to familiarize themselves with other ancillary documents which they will receive as part of the working documents for the EGC. Engaging and familiarizing themselves with these documents will enable the delegates to give, concrete and realizable advice to the General Council. “ Secondly, as circumscription superiors were required to give a report to the GC on how they implemented the decisions of the last General Chapter in their circumscriptions (SRL 225.4) which have been synthesized in one of the reports to the EGC, delegates will be expected to share with the EGC the joys and challenges they encounter as superiors and representatives of their Unions in the implementation of the chapter decisions.
Fr. Jeff Duaime provided a brief overview of the overall methodology which includes remote preparation by the General Council who will be sharing reports on what has been accomplished in implementation of the Chapter decisions and directives including some of the challenges that have been encountered. During the EGC, 24 reports will be presented and discussed on the implementation of the Chapter document with the opportunity for delegates to provide specific feedback through Assembly discussion and small groups. In addition to sharing their feedback in the group discussions, each delegate will be assigned roles as listeners and synthesizers for particular topics on what has been shared and discussed during the EGC. The preparation, participation, feedback and input of each delegate will be critical for the process in order to provide direction to the GC over the next four years.
The preparatory committee for the EGC shared with the delegates and functionaries issues concerning travel to France. Invitation letters have been sent out to those who require entry visas, and they urged the delegates and functionaries to send their itinerary as soon as possible to enable effective planning for the welcoming of confreres to Chevilly – Larue.
Finally, Fr. Damien Meki, Secretary General, presented some organizational and logistical issues. The webinar ended with a time of sharing among all the participants, followed by a final prayer.
Chevilly is wholeheartedly and with open doors ready to welcome this great event which evaluates the first four years after Bagamoyo II and paves the way for the four years that separate us from the next General Chapter. Until then, we must live by the motto: ‘Look, I am going to do something new!’
