On the morning of 25th June, the Enlarged General Council consecrated its reflection to a deepening of Spiritan Mission through two essential expressions: Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation and Development. The reports titled Animating Justice and Peace Within the Spiritan Mission and Building Toward Mission Sustainability: CDO Reflections for EGC 2025 explore how the Congregation, inspired by the prophetic vision of Bagamoyo II, is renewing its missionary commitment through Spirit-rooted action, practical service and structural foresight.
Together, these presentations highlighted the inseparability of spiritual integrity and organizational sustainability. One keeps our hearts aligned with the suffering and hope of the world; and the other strengthens our material capacity to serve. This integrated vision invites all Spiritans to embrace a mission that is both prophetically bold and structurally sound— rooted in the justice of Christ, animated by the Spirit and lived in solidarity.
Animating JPIC Within the Spiritan Mission
In alignment with the directives of Bagamoyo II, the Congregation has intensified its commitment to Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), establishing a layered structure that spans from the General Council to each circumscription. A general coordinator and local JPIC representatives ensure that this priority permeates missionary and pastoral activities. The aim: to uphold Gospel-cantered justice through synodal collaboration and grassroots engagement.
The Spiritan JPIC network collaborates with local and international partners, including VIVAT International, AEFJN, Duquesne University, and various JPIC commissions of religious unions. These partnerships enable global advocacy on behalf of the marginalized and promote awareness and education on issues like migration, ecology, and human rights.
Ongoing initiatives include annual reflection plans, retreats exploring JPIC’s spiritual foundations, training sessions, and the update of the Congregation’s guiding JPIC document. Emphasis is placed on embedding JPIC within Spiritan spirituality as a lived expression of the Spiritan call and its charism.
Yet, the report acknowledges persistent challenges. Many confreres struggle to integrate JPIC into traditional parish-based ministry, often viewing it as abstract or secondary. There is limited formal infrastructure linked directly to JPIC, and collaboration with advocacy partners remains fragmented. Communication within the Congregation on JPIC efforts is also weak, limiting the sharing of best practices and spiritual motivation.
The EGC is invited to reflect and offer recommendations on how do we reintegrate JPIC as a core expression of Spiritan identity and how do we act prophetically in solidarity with the oppressed, inspired by the justice of Christ.
This vision for our prophetic call to Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation leads naturally into a second but inseparable dimension of Spiritan mission—development and sustainability. On the same morning, this vital priority was examined as a cornerstone of evangelization.
Building Toward Mission Sustainability: CDO Reflections for EGC 2025
Fostering Sustainability in Mission: The Spiritan Path Forward
ollowing the directives of the 2021 General Chapter in Bagamoyo, the Central Development Office (CDO) has been actively fostering a development culture across the Congregation. Its core mission includes promoting a shared vision for development, animating local structures, providing training, and supporting fundraising capacity. Since 2021, remarkable strides have been made in expanding development infrastructure and enhancing formation in project management.
Notably, the number of functional Local Development Offices has grown from just 6 to 22 across the Congregation—an increase of 266%. Provinces such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania now serve as successful models, effectively integrating lay expertise, aligning projects with Spiritan mission, and managing resources transparently. The CDO has offered multiple training sessions for confreres, formation communities, and lay collaborators, particularly in theology houses and novitiates throughout Africa. It also introduced standardized tools for proposal writing, planning, and reporting, though consistent usage remains uneven across circumscriptions.
Despite this progress, significant challenges remain. Access to start-up funds for income-generating projects is limited, and several circumscriptions still struggle to comply with development norms. A lack of trained confreres and unclear collaboration frameworks with lay professionals hinder further growth. Moreover, disparities in access to donor agencies create imbalances in resource availability across the Congregation.
A major concern highlighted in the report is the underdevelopment of self-sufficiency projects—initiatives intended to generate income for long-term mission sustainability. While donor-funded projects are increasing, entrepreneurial Spiritan ventures remain scarce due to high initial costs and limited financial expertise. As Bagamoyo II articulates, both forms of development—social outreach and self-sustainability—are vital and complementary.
Looking ahead, the CDO recommends four action points: (1) support each developing province in launching an income-generating project; (2) intensify training and formation on development themes; (3) establish a global Spiritan Solidarity Fund for sustainability initiatives; and (4) embed development planning into every province’s strategic mission outlook.
The 2025 Enlarged General Council presents a timely invitation for Spiritans worldwide to embrace this development vision as an expression of missionary discipleship. Rooted in faith, solidarity, and good stewardship, development becomes not just a function but an integral part of Spiritan commitment.
In the afternoon the EGC consecrated its reflection on Missionary Appointments: A Call to Spirit-Led Availability
The General Chapter of Bagamoyo II called for a renewed approach to missionary appointments—one rooted in pastoral needs rather than personal preference for a country or region. Emphasizing openness, sacrifice, and apostolic zeal, the Congregation now prioritizes types of pastoral engagement over geographical choices.
From 2022–2025, 290 appointments were made, with 75% assigned outside their home circumscriptions and a continued decline in the vocation of Brothers. Responding to Bagamoyo’s vision, the General Council updated policies, shifted terminology to “missionary appointment,” and emphasized support for fragile circumscriptions.
Implementation efforts include updated guidelines, encouragement of cross-cultural assignments, and stronger coordination in placement. However, challenges persist—delays in documentation, formation reports lacking clarity, administrative reluctance, and confreres unprepared for their assignments. Misunderstandings of mission expectations and poor follow-through also hinder progress.
The updated 2025 Guide to Missionary Assignments seeks to address these gaps by fostering better formation, clearer discernment, and stronger institutional support. In this pivotal time, the Congregation is invited to renew its missionary identity with fidelity and joy, ensuring each appointment becomes a sacred and enduring response to the Spirit’s call.
