Comboni

Daniel Comboni

Comboni Missionaries

Institutional area

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
This morning, 16 of the 23 Comboni bishops serving in Africa and Latin America gathered in Rome, at the Institute’s Generalate, for a week of formation and sharing, which will conclude on September 21.

Among the participants are four retired bishops, while twelve are currently exercising their episcopal ministry in various local Churches in Africa and Latin America.

Bishop Claudio Lurati, Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria, Egypt, who coordinates the Union of Comboni Bishops, explained that the meeting “will consist of a week dedicated to sharing experiences of episcopal ministry, but it will also be an opportunity to catch up with the journey of the Comboni Institutes and of the Church.”

Father Elias Sindjalim Essognimam, General Assistant, welcomed the participants on behalf of the General Council, emphasizing that the meeting represents an opportunity for fraternity and deep communion with the Institute:

“Your presence among us is a source of great gratitude and reminds us that, beyond the particular service entrusted to you by the Church, your bond with the Institute and the communion we share remain alive and profound. Indeed, you are one of the faces of our common Comboni charism”, he said.

The meeting began with a morning of reflection and prayer on the mission and ministry of Comboni bishops, in the light of the encyclicals Dilexit nos and Dilexi te, led by former Superior General Father David Glenday.

At midday, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Mgr. Menghesteab Tesfamariam, Archbishop of Asmara, Eritrea, who today is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

During the week, the bishops will meet with representatives of the Comboni Institutes and take part in moments of episcopal and Comboni spirituality.

The programme also includes a visit to the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, as well as to three of the four monasteries of the Sacred Valley in Rieti, on the occasion of the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

At the conclusion of the meeting, before returning to their respective dioceses, the bishops will elect a new coordinator of the Union of Comboni Bishops.