Information sent by Hyacinth Ennis, OFM
Secretary of the Conference

• BULLETIN

  The latest meeting of the Conference took place at the Provincial House in Nairobi (Kenya) from 19 to 21 January 1998. Six ot the eight member entities were represented along with the newly appointed Definitor General for Afica, Peter Williams. One of the first acts of the gathering was to congatulate the out-going Definitor for Africa, Adriano Langa (Mozambique), on his election as auxiliary bishop of Maputo (ordination on 28 February 1998). Peter Williams reported on some general events and facts in the Order Since the last Ceneral Chapter- in particular the state of Assisi subsequent to the earthquakes there in September 1997. Then the friars frorn the represented entities gave reports ofthe state of the Order in their respective territories. The political, social and economic unrest on the continent were sadly reflected in nearly all of the reports ex. refugee problem, corruption, crime, famine, poverty, AIDS. The Great Lakes distnct and Somalia still remain extremely troubled and problematic areas. But in spite of all these negative factors, all of the entities remarked on the increase in the number of friars in formation programs - the fraternity still appeals to the African spint. Because of these negative experiences and due to Curial suggestions, the gathered friars discussed in detail the restructuring of the Order in Africa ex. the state of such places as Malawi, Madagascar and Mauritius. Reports were also tabled and debated from the various Commissions of the Conference; Formation Justice and Peace, Christian-Moslem Dialogue and Evangelization. Closer co-operation between the four different branches of the franciscan family in Africa was also considered and highly recommended.

  During the meeting elections and appointmetts were made to positions within the Conference; Robert Stewart (South Africa) was re-elected as President and Stanislaus Lukumuena (Congo-Kinshasa) as Vice-President. Hyacinth Ennis (South Africa) was renominated as secretary. Secretaries were appointed; Benoit-Michel Amoussou(West Afiica) to Formation and Studies, Teddy Lennon (South Africa) to Justice and Peace, Georgio Bertin (Nairobi) to Christian-Moslem Dialogue and Alberto Cappos (Mozambique) to Evangelisation.

  The next meeting of the Conterence will be held in conjunction with C.O.M.O.N.A. (Middle East and North African Conference) at Cairo from 25 to 29 January l999 - subject to approval.

  Subsequent to the recent rneeting the sad news came of the death of Francesco Piccinini (Congo-Brazzaville) who was unable to attend the meeting because of his illness. Finally there was also the news of the murder of Vjeko Curic in Rwanda - R.I.P.

  the above information was received at our office
  today Saturday, February 21, 1998

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