Familia Comboniana 848 - February 2026

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

GENERAL NOTES OF THE 41^st GENERAL CONSULTA – 31.1.2026

Lay Comboni Missionaries

The General Council wishes to clarify for the entire Institute that the Comboni Lay Missionaries (CLM) are now an autonomous association, with its own statutes, canonically recognised in one country and likely to be so elsewhere in the future. For this reason, when discussing the experiences of lay people in the Institute’s various communities or circumscriptions, the term ‘CLM’ must be used with caution. Before calling a group ‘CLM’, it is necessary to verify with the national or international CLM Coordination Committee that this is correct. This verification serves to avoid using the name ‘CLM’ to groups of lay people who are friends of the Comboni Missionaries and are not part of the official CLM Coordination Committee.

Process of reconfiguration and merger of circumscriptions

After a lengthy process of reflection at multiple levels within the Institute, in compliance with the mandate received from the 19^th General Chapter and reiterated by the 2025 Intercapitular Assembly, the General Council now launches the process of reconfiguring and merging the Institute with a letter addressed to all confreres, presenting the historical path of this urgent need.

The letter traces the conceptual evolution of the process since the 1985 General Chapter, sets out the rationale for the process, and indicates the path to follow, including the organisational scenarios that seem possible at this time. It also outlines the milestones of the process leading up to the 2028 General Chapter, at which the identified options, with their operational implications for implementing the new circumscription structures, will be presented to the Chapter for its discernment and decision. The General Council invites all confreres to carefully welcome the letter and asks everyone for generous and constructive collaboration in taking up, with confidence and hope, the challenge of this reconfiguration, dictated by a passion for the mission.

Appointment of Vice-Provincials

During the (extraordinary) Consulta in January, the General Council reviewed the election results for the circumscription vice-superiors and confirmed their appointments for each district. The full list of names will be published in the March 2026 issue of Familia Comboniana.

Programme of journeys of the members of the General Council

Brother Alberto Lamana Consola

• 7-13 February – Nairobi – Kenya Provincial Assembly
• 16.21 February – Nairobi – APDESAM Assembly

Father Luigi Codianni and Father Elias Sindjalim

• 6-16 February – Central African Republic

Upcoming Consultas

The next General Consultas will be held as follows

• from 9 to 27 March 2026
• from 8 to 25 June 2026.

All circumscription superiors are reminded that the minutes of their respective council meetings, which must be considered by the Consulta, must be received no later than the day before the consultation begins. Matters submitted outside of this communication tool during the consultation—unless they involve critical emergencies—will not be considered.

Perpetual professions

Ordinations

Holy Redeemer Guild

February          01 – 15 C             16 – 28 EGSD
March              01 – 07 CO          08 – 15 E                16 – 31 DSP

Prayer intentions

February: That all institutes of consecrated life may grow in communion and collaboration, recognising the strength that comes from a common vocation and diversity of charisms. Lord, hear us.

March: That, as the Comboni Family, we may seek out those far from the faith and be instruments of encounter with the Lord Jesus and the Gospel of life, in every part of the world. Lord, hear us.

Comboni liturgical calendar

FEBRUARY

Significant anniversaries

FEBRUARY

MARCH

Publications

Giampaolo Romanato, L’Africa di Daniele Comboni (1831-1881) – Missione, esplorazione, avventura, Edizioni Studium, Roma, 2026, pp. 391.

First published in 1998, with the title Daniele Comboni. L’Africa degli esploratori e dei missionari, Rusconi, and again in 2003 [L’Africa nera fra Cristianesimo e Islam. L’esperienza di Daniele Comboni (1831-1881), with several additions, is again presented today, with the necessary updates, given that Comboni was canonised in 2003.

The author notes: “For decades, ecclesiastical censors have examined his work, the testimonies about him, and his writings, which include numerous opinions on the Roman Curia and harsh judgments on eminent prelates of the time, without finding anything that would prevent his canonisation. This means that his life, far removed from all the canons of ecclesiastical normality and routine—the life that had impressed and enthralled his biographer, but also many readers of the book—is today considered exemplary by the Church, worthy of universal honour.”

But the author is also re-proposing the book for another reason: “As will be seen later, the mission in which Comboni served, cantered in Khartoum on the banks of the Nile, played an active role in the discovery of the river’s source—the greatest geographical feat of the nineteenth century—and in all the complex, dramatic historical events that led to the birth of modern Sudan. Today, this country is the scene of a devastating civil war that has caused millions of victims, including deaths, refugees, fugitives, and missing persons, not without the infamous practice of child soldiers, trained to kill. […] But today’s catastrophe comes from far away, originating in the nineteenth-century events summarised in the following pages, when the penetration, first Egyptian and then European, of which the Catholic mission was part, began to destabilise the traditional balance of power throughout the Nile region.”

Comboni and his missionaries “were witnesses, chroniclers, unwitting protagonists, and then designated victims of a historical tragedy of enormous proportions,” namely, the revolution led by Muhammad Ahmad, known as the Madhi, (‘the envoy of God’). The Comboni missionaries were taken prisoner by the Madhi, freed only in 1898 by British military intervention, which led to the birth of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium, which constituted a fundamental stage of British colonialism in Africa.

The author believes that “the Madhi revolt was the product of a disintegration of local society that had begun much earlier, of which the reports of Comboni and his missionaries [...] constitute the only striking testimony. [...] A native leader wished ‘everything bad’ on the foreigners who were ‘the ruin of his country.’ The current Sudanese drama, which in 2011 led to the division of the territory into two distinct states, Sudan and South Sudan, is therefore the distant consequence of an upheaval in the tribal world of the Nile that began then, under the eyes of Daniel Comboni and his missionaries.” Hence Professor Romanato’s conclusion: “I hope it is not useless, therefore, to republish this book.”

BRAZIL

Father Alfonso Cigarini – 100 years of life and mission

On 7^th January 2026, Father Alfonso Cigarini, a Comboni missionary, celebrated one hundred years of life and 70 years of dedication to the mission of the Kingdom. Born on 7^th January 1926, in Bagno, diocese of Reggio Emilia, in north-central Italy, he entered the Urban Episcopal Seminary of Reggio Emilia at a young age, where he remained until the end of his third year of high school, always cultivating in his heart the desire to become a missionary.

In November 1952, he entered the Comboni novitiate in Florence, during which he attended his first theology course at the Fiesole Seminary. On 9^th September 1954, he took his first temporary vows and was assigned to the scholasticate of Venegono Superiore to complete his theology studies. On 9^th September 1956, he made his perpetual profession and was ordained a priest on 15^th June 1957, in Milan Cathedral by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Pope Paul VI.

After ordination, Father Alfonso carried out his missionary ministry on three continents: Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

From 1957 to 1962, he worked in Mozambique. From 1963 to 1976, he was in Portugal. From 1976 to 1978, he was in Italy, and from 1978 to 1984, he was in Brazil. After two years in his homeland, he returned to Brazil in 1985, where he remained until 2000, when he returned to Italy for a year. In 2001, he was assigned to Brazil again, where he still resides. In Brazil, Father Alfonso worked in Uruçuí, in the State of Piauí, Diocese of Floriano; in Sucupira and Tasso Fragoso, in the State of Maranhão, Diocese of Balsas; in Santa Rita, in the State of Paraíba, Archdiocese of Paraíba; and Timon, in the state of Maranhão, diocese of Caxias). Today he lives in the Comboni House, which welcomes elderly and sick missionaries, in São José do Rio Preto, in the diocese of the same name, in southeastern Brazil.

Father Alfonso—or ‘Funsein’, as he is called in his homeland—is a testimony of life and mission. He has reached 100 years of age with great energy and missionary enthusiasm, despite his fragile health. For him, faith remains the primary driver of his longevity.

“What motivates me is the presence of Jesus, who invites us to hope for a new heaven and a new earth. What I leave to people is the invitation to lead a peaceful life, seeking to be good examples, valuing others, and maintaining hope for a better future,” Father Alfonso emphasised on his centenary.

Let us praise God for the gift of his life and his missionary vocation. (Father Raimundo Nonato Rocha dos Santos, provincial)

ESPAÑA

38^th Africa Meeting 2026 - Mundo Negro Award for Fraternity 2025

On Saturday, 31^st January, the 38^th Africa Meeting was held in Madrid on the theme ‘To Migrate or Stay: Africa’s Brain Drain’. During the event, the ‘Mundo Negro Fraternity Award 2025’ was presented to Dr. Cédric Ouanékponé, a nephrologist from the Central African Republic, for his commitment to ensuring access to proper healthcare in his country.

In the context of the talent drain from the African continent, the award presented to Dr. Ouanékponé was particularly significant. He returned to his homeland immediately after completing his specialisation in France, declining a lucrative contract to assume management of the National Haemodialysis Centre in Bangui, which had been inactive for years due to a shortage of specialists. As a result of his intervention, the centre was able to resume operations and save numerous lives.

Born in Bangui in 1986, Ouanékponé graduated with the support of the parish of Our Lady of Fatima. He played a key role during the most dramatic periods of the civil war, providing healthcare under extremely difficult conditions and refusing compensation for his service. The refugee coordinator, Ugandan Father Moses Alir Otii, who had recently been ordained a priest, relied on Cédric and other young health workers from the parish to address the health emergency until the arrival of NGOs. Cédric cared for the elderly and children, often without resources, and assisted dozens of women in childbirth.

In 2014, at the height of the crisis, the French NGO Cercle de Haute Réflexion sur la Jeunesse arrived in the country with a shipment of medicines, and Cédric treated countless people, including those from the Muslim neighbourhoods of the area known as PK5. He had to do so almost secretly to avoid being accused of ‘aiding the enemy’ in a conflict that was mistakenly labelled ‘interreligious’. When the NGO sought to pay him in accordance with European standards, Dr Ouanékponé refused, claiming it was his humble contribution to his brothers and sisters.

In addition to his hospital work, the doctor is now the promoter of the Mama Ti Fatima health complex, which includes a pharmacy, an analysis laboratory, and an emergency clinic, with plans to open a maternity ward and to develop mobile clinics in the poorest areas. He is also a professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences in Bangui and is committed to training the next generation of doctors.

With this award, Mundo Negro intends to highlight the example of those who choose to put their skills at the service of their country, making a concrete contribution to Africa’s human and health development.

MALAWI-ZAMBIA

From 12^th to 18^th January 2026, the Bauleni-Lusaka novitiate welcomed Father Opargiw John Baptist Keraryo, a Ugandan Comboni missionary, provincial superior of South Africa, and coordinator of APDESAM.

The novitiate community is composed of 17 novices of eight different nationalities, accompanied by two formators: Father Kiwanuka Achilles Kasozi, novice master, and Father Fene-Fene Santime Augustin, formator and socius.

Father Opargiw’s visit is part of the province’s ongoing comprehensive formation process, aimed at deepening understanding of the Comboni charism and strengthening awareness of the Code of Conduct as a fundamental tool for missionary life today.

The visit was structured around three main formative moments—a spiritual retreat, a reflection on the Comboni charism, and a workshop on the Code of Conduct—integrated with opportunities for meeting and dialogue with the formation community.

Retreat Focused on Awareness and Inner Truth – On the morning of Tuesday, January 13, at the Bauleni-Lusaka novitiate, Father Opargiw led a spiritual retreat, inviting the novices to a process of self-awareness and inner truth, emphasising that authentic spiritual growth begins with honesty before God and oneself. Attention was paid to personal feelings, inner movements, motivations, relationships, and apostolic attitudes. Through guided reflection, the novices were encouraged to examine their inner state, the quality of their prayer, emotional maturity, use of time, interpersonal behaviour, and their ability to live responsibly in community.

Two biblical texts served as the framework for the retreat: Jesus’ invitation to the disciples: “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31-32), and God’s question to Adam: “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9b). These texts became invitations to silence, interiority, and openness to God’s transforming presence.

Father Opargiw emphasised that spiritual life is not shaped by extraordinary experiences but by daily fidelity, attentiveness to God’s presence, and a growing passion for Christ and others. The retreat was welcomed with openness and gratitude, as a space for grounding, discernment, and renewed vocational awareness.

Deepening and assimilation of the Comboni charism – The afternoon of the same day was dedicated to a sharing on the Comboni charism. Presented as a living gift of the Spirit, the charism was described as an experience first lived by Saint Daniel Comboni and continually embodied throughout history. The novitiate was defined as a privileged theological and spiritual space during which this charism must be deeply rooted and internalised.

Father Opargiw recalled the essential elements of the Comboni charism: total dedication to God; missionary orientation ad gentes, ad pauperes, and ad vitam; and the experience of the Cenacle of the Apostles, understood as a school of fraternity, prayer, shared responsibility, and availability for mission. At the heart of all this is the Christological dimension of the charism, rooted in contemplative openness to God and expressed in active missionary commitment. The Heart of Jesus was presented as a source of compassion, availability, and selfless love.

Particular emphasis was placed on the relational dimension of missionary identity. Referring to the experience of the “Cenacle of Apostles,” Father Opargiw emphasised the shift from the Cartesian Cogito, ergo sum (‘I think, therefore I am’) to the African wisdom Cognatus, ergo sum (‘I am related, therefore I am’). He emphasised that missionary identity is fundamentally relational, lived in communion with God, the community, and the people to whom one is sent, particularly those living on the frontiers and existential peripheries.

The novices welcomed this reflection with interest, recognising the challenge and richness of living the Comboni charism as a community, intercultural, and missionary vocation.

The Code of Conduct as a journey of conversion and missionary credibility – Wednesday, 14^th January, was dedicated to a workshop on the Code of Conduct, with participation by both novices and confreres from the Lusaka area. Father Opargiw presented the historical development of the Code, emphasising that its evolution from 1997 to the 2025 revision reflects the Institute’s growing awareness of ethical, pastoral, and institutional responsibilities.

He emphasised that the drafting of the document was never a simple collection of rules, but rather a journey of conversion, fidelity to the Gospel, and integrity in ministry. Its objectives are to promote a responsible missionary culture, foster mutual care, and ensure just and transparent responses to situations of abuse, misconduct, or scandal.

The workshop highlighted the theological, spiritual, and canonical foundations of the Code, rooted in the Gospel, Canon Law, and our Rule of Life. Attention was paid to relationships as a mission, safeguarding policies, disciplinary measures, and the values of integrity, responsibility, honesty, and transparency.

Both novices and confreres expressed appreciation for the clarity and realism of the presentation, recognising the Code of Conduct as an essential tool for personal responsibility, healthy community life, and credible missionary witness today.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the four Comboni missionaries present (Fathers Achilles Kiwanuka, Augustin Fene-Fene, Simon Agede, and the scholastic Phiri Charles) formally signed the acceptance form for the Code of Conduct. The signed documents were handed over to Father Simon Agede, Provincial Councillor responsible for the Lusaka area, who will forward them, where appropriate, to the Provincial Superior for inclusion in the respective personnel files of each confrere, in accordance with the Institute’s procedures. (Father Fene-Fene Santime Augustin, mccj)

PROVINCIA DE CENTRO AMÉRICA

Provincial Assembly

Reuniting for the Provincial Assembly was a source of great joy: we met again after some time—for some, after months, if not years—we spoke and listened to each other, and we “valued” who we are and what we have.

First, there was the meeting of the treasurers of our communities (on 4^th January), who shared their year’s work and discussed issues related to their service.

From 6^th to 8^th January, the Provincial Assembly was held at the Casa Sacerdotal in Mixco, near Guatemala City, with the participation of members of our province from Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

We examined our missionary life and rekindled the fire of our vocation. We discussed the role of authority within our community and the importance of our formation, and we addressed economic issues, supported by the various sector secretariats.

We critically assessed the progress we’ve made in 2025 and confronted the challenges that await us across the various contexts in which we operate. We discussed religious life and the journey undertaken by our Institute.

On the first day, Father Sergio Osorio, of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, encouraged us to courageously look at the reality around us, doing so as ‘religious’, that is, always walking in the light of the Word of God and the dictates of our Chapter documents, with eyes capable of recognising challenges, with hearts ready to fight with all the perseverance we are capable of, without ever losing our ‘passion’ for the mission.

In the following days, there was a thorough discussion of the various points that our Institute presents as key themes for reflection in 2026. These included the issue of merging the districts, the updated Code of Conduct and the Guidelines for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, the commitment to ‘specific pastoral care’, the theme of Mission (see the General Council’s Letter on the Mission – “Going Beyond” ), and ministeriality.

On the final day, Father David Domingues, a member of the General Council responsible for the America-Asia macro-region, joined us via Zoom, infusing new energy into our activities and the various commitments we undertake in the province.

The Assembly placed us in the role of becoming increasingly ‘community builders’, both at the provincial and institute levels, each carefully overseeing our home, our Family, and our mission.

Ready for new steps on our common journey, we celebrated the “transition” of the new Provincial Father, Father Enrique Sánchez, and the new Provincial Councillors. It was like a true “rite of passage,” experienced in an atmosphere of prayer, fraternity, and communion, celebrating the Eucharist as a “thanksgiving” and a supplication to the Lord to accompany them.

At the end of the Assembly, in the joy that comes from being together, we organised a pilgrimage to San Juan Obispo, home of Bishop Francisco Marroquín, the first bishop of Guatemala, dating back to the colonial era. In the former episcopal chapel, we celebrated the Eucharist, presided over by Fathers Baltazar Zárate, who will celebrate 60 years of priesthood in March, and Luis Filiberto López, who will celebrate his 20th anniversary in October. (Father Juan Diego Calderón Vargas, mccj)

SOUTH SUDAN

Perpetual vows by Santino Mawan

On 11^th January 2026, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the provincial house in Juba was filled with joy when scholastic Gum Santino Mawan Guor professed his perpetual vows during the annual Provincial Assembly. Numerous Comboni confreres attended the celebration, including Bishop Tesfaye Tadesse, former Superior General and now Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Ababa, who presided over the Mass.

Also present were Brother Alberto Lamana, several religious sisters, and Santino’s family. Father Gregor, Provincial Superior of South Sudan, received the vows and praised Santino for his courage in saying ‘yes’ to God and in giving himself to the Comboni Family.

Born and raised in a Catholic family, Santino began his Comboni formation in the pre-postulancy in Lomin, South Sudan. He studied philosophy in Nairobi, Kenya, for three years, then completed the two-year novitiate in Bauleni-Lusaka, Zambia, where he made his first religious profession on 15^th May 2021. He continued his theological studies in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and then returned to South Sudan for a year of missionary service in the parish of Mapourdit, in the Diocese of Rumbek.

His ordination to the diaconate is scheduled for 8^th February 2026, the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Let us accompany Santino with our prayers as he continues his vocational journey.

LET US PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DEAD

THE FATHER: Guillermo Sipión, of Mons. Barrera Pacheco L. Alberto (PE)

THE BROTHER: Arnulfo, of Brother Enriquez Sanchez (M)

THE SISTERS: Sister Maria Gerarda, of Father Giuseppe Ambrosi (†), Elina Bianca, of Father Luciano Perina (I); Dolores, of Card. Miguel Ángel Ayuso (†)

THE COMBONI SISTERS: Sr. Fumagalli Alessandra (I); Sr. M. Lucia Cavalli (I); Sr. Adeliana M. Locatelli (I)