Johannesburg, meeting of the OFM African Conferences

From the 28th September to the 1st October 2025, the meeting of the African Conferences of the Order of Friars Minor (Francophone African Conference and Anglophone African Conference) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants included Br. Siphelele Paulus Gwanisheni, Definitor General for Africa, and 11 friars representing African Entities.

The first two days were dedicated to sharing the life of the Entities in Africa. Each participant presented the political and social situation in their jurisdiction, the number of friars, the services they perform and the challenges they face in daily life.

Along the same lines, the Definitor General spoke by addressing the issue of the lack of communication between the African Entities and the General Curia, the issue of aid received by the Entities without monitoring their reporting and the need to establish new missionary presences on the African continent, in particular in Nigeria.

The Minister General then asked the two African Conferences to evaluate and decide how they will contribute to the sending of qualified friars, the financing of this mission and the objectives to establish this presence in Africa's most populous country, which has about 233 million inhabitants.

The reports of the President of the now extinct African Conference, Br. Virgil Agbessi, and the Secretary and Treasurer, Br. Lage, also received the attention of the assembly. The triennial reports illustrated the meetings held, the decisions taken and the challenges faced by the two African Entities, such as the collaboration between the two Entities in the fields of Evangelization and Formation, strengthening the formation centers of Lusaka (Zambia), Kolwezi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and the ICMA of Abijan (Ivory Coast); the Protection of minors and vulnerable adults was also discussed.

On the third day, the different Conferences focused on the Statutes, outlined the conclusions of the meeting and held elections. Here are the decisions made:

Francophone African Conference

1. During the year, the Conference will organize a meeting for the Formation of Formators in Lomé, on a date to be determined;
2. Reflection on the new mission in Nigeria will continue, taking into account the costs.
3. Entities are encouraged to have a shared formation, as in the case of the Province of the Incarnate Word of Togo and the Custody of St. Francis of Guinea-Bissau.

Friars Elected for the Next Three Years:

• President: Br. Nicodème Kolan, Minister Provincial of the Incarnate Word of Togo;
• Vice-President: Br. Nicodème Muambate, Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Secretary: Br. Armando Cossa, Custos of St. Francis of Assisi of Guinea-Bissau;
• Bursar: Br. Jéróme Lusiak, President of Our Lady of the Angels of the Central African Republic.

Anglophone African Conference

Mandates

1. Strengthen communication between the Entities and between the Entities and the Order;
2. Study how and where to support the small economies of the Conference, if possible in Africa.

Recommendations

1. Study and identify two novitiates that will host the novices of the Conference;
2. Increase collaboration in the areas of formation, prayer life and retreats.

Friars Elected for the Next Three Years:

• President: Br. Evódio João, Minister Provincial of St. Clare of Assisi in Mozambique;
• Vice-President: Br. Fanuel Magwidi, Guardian of the Good Shepherd of Zimbabwe;
• Secretary: Br. Ndumiso Khumalo, Minister Provincial of the Queen of Peace of South Africa.

On the last day of the meeting, Ministers visited the South African Provincial House and several historic sites in Johannesburg and Pretoria: Nelson Mandela's house and the Union Buildings, a historic building.

In addition to the General Definitor, Br. Siphelele Paulus Gwanisheni, and the outgoing President of the Anglophone Conference, Br. Lage Nhampoca Luís Afonso, the following ministers participated in this meeting:

Francophone African Conference:

• Br. Nicodème Muambate, Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels, Democratic Republic of Congo;
• Br. Rasolanjanahary Jean Pierre, Vicar Provincial of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, Madagascar and Mauritius;
• Br. Clemant Mututa, Vicar Provincial of St. Benedict the African, Democratic Republic of Congo;
• Br. Kevin Eusèbe Assassa, President of the Our Lady of Africa Foundation, Republic of Congo;
• Br. Jéróme Lusiak, President of the Foundation of Our Lady of the Angels, Central African Republic.

English-speaking African Conference:

• Br. Ndumiso Khumalo, Minister Provincial of Our Lady Queen of Peace, South Africa;
• Br. Evódio João, Minister Provincial of St. Clare of Assisi, Mozambique;
• Br. Fanuel Magwidi, Guardian of the Good Shepherd, Zimbabwe;
• Br. Peter Tindo, President of the Foundation of St. Francis of Assisi, South Sudan;
• Br. Ivair Bueno de Carvalho, President of the Immaculate Mother of God Foundation, Angola.

Br. Evodio João, OFM

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