From the 11th –17th August, 2025 in the Capuchin Friars' student house located in the industrial district of the municipality of Limete, Kinshasa, the National Elective Chapter of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of the Democratic Republic of Congo was finally held, pending since 2017 due to the social, political and economic situation of the country.
On the afternoon of the 11th August, the Solemnity of St. Clare, the Chapter officially began with Mass presided over by the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Nkolo, His Excellency Msgr. Stanislas Lukumwena, OFM, and concelebrated by the National Assistants Br. Polydore Bodibanga Kashala, OFM, Br. Jean Paul Kilingi Nsomo, OFM, Br. Emmanuel Galeboe, OFMCap, Br. Aimé Kungi, OFMCap and the Custos of the Capuchin Friars, Br. Tharcisse Ngose, OFMCap.
The Chapter was presided over by the International Councillor for Francophone Africa Adolph Atsu Assagba, OFS, as delegate of the Minister General of the OFS Tibor Kauser, OFS, and witnessed by a member of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants, Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM.
The work of the Chapter resumed with a welcome greeting to the delegates of CIOFS and the 12 capitulars who came from the regions of Mbandaka, Kisangani, Lumbashi, Kananga, Bukavu.
Each chapter presented a report on their region, which facilitated the understanding of the reality of the fraternities in which the members of the OFS live in the DRC.
The work of revising, examining, adapting and approving the National Statutes was carried out in an atmosphere of tranquillity, respect and fraternal listening. The following day, in the morning, there were visits to the convent of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM), where the first OFS fraternity in Kinshasa was born.
On the 15th August, elections were held: Noël Nkodia, OFS was elected National Minister, while 4 Deputy Ministers were elected, each for one language: Martin Balabega (Tshiluba), Pascal Batumike (Swahili), Hector Suami (Kikongo) and Timothée Kandege (Lingala). The latter will help the Minister in carrying out work and communication at national level.
Felicien Kasongo has been elected International Councillor, while other additional members of the National Council will help in the functioning and pastoral action of the fraternity, emphasising the importance of living together as one fraternity in a vast nation and addressing social, economic and political challenges.
The Chapter concluded with the celebration of the Sunday Mass, presided over by His Excellency Msgr. Jean Bertin Nadonye, OFMCap, Bishop of the Diocese of Lolo, concelebrated by the national assistants. In it, the President of the Chapter, Adolph Assagba, OFS, confirmed the members of the new Council of the National Fraternity of the DRC.
A special thanks to the Preparatory Commission for its commitment, dedication, and courage in organising this long-awaited Chapter, which, despite so many challenges, went well and ended with a fraternal spirit and plentiful optimism towards a fraternity that will be dedicated to the promotion of the true and concrete organic union of the whole order in the DRC.
