Annual Meeting of the Comboni Missionaries’ Council of Economy in Rome

At the opening of the session, the Superior General, Fr Luigi Codianni, met with the members of the COF to thank them for their «availability and service» to the Institute, and to highlight what he considers the three main priorities for the future.

First, he expressed concern about the budgets and financial management of certain circumscriptions, as well as the ongoing requests made to the General Direction for debt coverage. Fr Luigi encouraged the COF «to help the circumscriptions to engage in constructive reflection towards systemic change, shifting the focus from mere ‘debt coverage’ to prevention and accountability, aiming for more efficient and autonomous financial management».

He then emphasised the importance of continuing to promote the training of confrères involved in economic service within the provinces and delegations: «In most cases, a lack of training directly results in inefficiency and increased operational costs».

Finally, regarding the ongoing process of merging circumscriptions, he asked that reflection on the economic dimension begin immediately, in view of a possible new structure for the Institute, noting: “This will be a complex exercise, touching on the identity, spirituality, mission, and economy of the Institute. The new economic structure will no longer have to deal only with walls and physical buildings, but also with the organisational and symbolic framework itself, so that it can support the community and missionary life of the new circumscriptions. The COF will play a key role in ensuring that the merger is carried out transparently and sustainably, supporting both the provincial superiors and the provincial treasurers.”

To illustrate his point, Fr Luigi identified specific areas for immediate review and action: «Assessing and optimizing assets, analysing debts and credits (identifying assets and liabilities), studying the different accounting and fiscal systems used by the circumscriptions, and begining to prepare a first unified budget forecast, taking into account the needs of the future circumscriptions».

Fr Angelo Giorgetti, General Treasurer, summarised the main topics discussed: «During these days, we have assessed the current economic situation of the Institute and prepared the budget estimates for 2026, which will be submitted to the General Council for approval. We then reviewed the main points that emerged in the recent Intercapitular Assembly regarding the economy, with particular attention to the implications of the merger process and the support required from the COF in order to address arising technical issues. Finally, we dedicated time to evaluating and planning ongoing training programmes, such as the “Palestra dell’Economo”, courses at the scholasticates and the International Formation Centres for Brothers, and courses for new provincial treasures».

The morning of Friday, 28^th November, was dedicated to a short Jubilee pilgrimage. The group visited the Basilica of St John Lateran, on the Caelian Hill: the first of the four major papal basilicas and the oldest and most important in the West. After passing through the Holy Door, participants gathered for Mass, presided by Fr Giulio Albanese, who since March 2023 has been Director of the Office for Social Communications and the Office for Missionary Cooperation between Churches, in the Diocese of Rome.

Participants

General Economate

• Fr Radol Austine Odhiambo, Assistant General with responsibility for the economic sector
• Fr Giorgetti Angelo, General Treasurer – Rome
• Fr Chmiel Sebastian Jerzy, Assistant General Treasurer – Rome
• Br Marco Binaghi, treasurer of the Curia community – Rome

Continental Representatives

• Fr Devenish Martin James, Provincial Treasurer of the London Province [Europe]
• Fr Zieliński Maciej Mikolaj, Provincial Treasurer of Kenya [Anglophone Africa]
• Fr Marcelo Fonseca Oliveira, Provincial Treasurer of Congo [Francophone Africa]
• Fr Miniero Pasquale, Provincial Treasurer of Ecuador [America/Asia]

Technical Adviser and Internal Auditor of the General Directorate

• Fr Pietro Ciuciulla, Executive Director of Fondazione Nigrizia Onlus – Verona, Italy (joined via Zoom)
• Fr Zema Waigo Philip, Provincial Treasurer of Uganda