The Regional House of the Consolata Missionaries in Bogotá, Colombia, hosted from August 12 to 15 the newly elected leadership teams of the Institute’s circumscriptions in the American continent. The gathering of the superiors and recently elected councilors had as its central theme: “Authority as Service.”
* By Santiago Quiñónez
Every three years, all the circumscriptions of the Institute renew their governing councils. In the Americas, there are five circumscriptions in nine countries, with three regional superiors and two delegation superiors. After the elections held in June of this year, the new superiors began their service with a week of formation and reflection on authority as service, in light of Gospel values and the Consolata charism.
Among the participants was the General Councilor for the Continent, Father Juan Pablo De los Ríos, who coordinated the course in Bogotá. “The superior is, above all, someone who accompanies, who listens, who prays for his confreres, and who gives an example with his life. He is called to be the first to go forward in order to inspire and coordinate the journey of others,” emphasized Father Juan Pablo.
In addition to the Superiors, members of the circumscriptions’ councils were also present; unfortunately, some of them could not attend due to travel difficulties. Currently, the Institute in the Continent is organized into five circumscriptions: the Argentina Region, whose superior is Father Daniel Alberto Bertea; the Brazil Region, led by Father Paulo da Conceição Fernando Mzé; the Colombia Region, which also includes Ecuador and Peru, under the guidance of Father Venanzio Mwangi; the Venezuela Delegation, entrusted to Father Beni Nzung’aloets Kapala; and the Delegation of Canada, United States, and Mexico (DCMS), entrusted to Father Peter Ssekajugo.
The meeting’s program included the study of the IMC Directory at the general and circumscriptions level, guidelines for safeguarding minors—a culture of care and protection of children, adolescents, and vulnerable persons—, mission-related economy, and the missionary project for the Continent.
Father Venanzio Mwangi, Regional Superior of Colombia, re-elected in the latest assembly, participated with his new council and was the host of this formative event in the Colombian capital.
The meeting concluded on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with a Eucharist presided over by Bishop Joaquín Alberto Pinzón, IMC, of the Vicariate of Puerto Leguízamo–Solano, in thanksgiving for the fruits of this formative and discernment process in the spirit of continentality.
In this video, Father Juan Pablo De los Ríos further explores the meaning of authority as service within the Institute.
* Santiago Quiñónez is an IMC journalist in Colombia.
