The XVIII General Chapter of the Comboni Missionaries on the theme “Comboni Missionary disciples, called to live the joy of the Gospel in today’s world” started on September 6 in the General House in Rome. On Monday, still in the reading of reality, gave the floor to the institutes of the Secular Comboni Misionaries, the Comboni Missionaries Sister and the Comboni Lay Missionaries. Through its reports, the Assembly approached the achievements, difficulties and dreams; in which in one way or another also it reflected the Institute of the Comboni Missionaries.
The secular Isabella d’Alessandro expressed their concern about the decline in staff, however, this is not a limit to the enthusiasm and desire to open up to the challenges posed by the mission. She recalled that the experience of weakness is an opportunity to collaborate with others, which invites to deepen our identity.
Mother Luzia Premoli, Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries Sisters, presented the main lines of reflection held as an Institute on the issue of ministerial service. The transformation of the mission requires a change in the governance model. Also, the rapid decline of sisters in the Institute poses challenges to be responding through various forms of reorganization.
Finally, Alberto de la Portilla, coordinator of the CLM submitted its report to the Assembly. He explained the internal structure of the movement and the challenges made in the last intercontinental CLM assembly of Maia (2012). Expressing the desire to consolidate the already established groups and improve international coordination.
I hope this Chapter will increase the awareness about the CLM reality. How can’t we change the world if we are committed lay, if we are CLM! We lay are the majority of the faithful, with our presence in the world, in the society, in our work places, we have to be very efficient. May the Lord finish in us what He has started.