Daniel Comboni
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Commission advances merger process of Southern Africa Provinces
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
The Commission on the merger process has gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, on September 28 and 29 to deliberate on the proposed merging of the three Comboni Provinces in the Southern Africa Region: Malawi-Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa.
The two-day meeting seeks to map out the way forward for the proposed merger and to reflect on how the Comboni Missionary presence in Southern Africa can respond more effectively to the realities and challenges of the region.
The process forms part of a wider restructuring process taking place within the Comboni Missionaries worldwide.
In the Southern Africa Region, the three Provinces have already developed a Regional Strategic Plan and are now reflecting on and drafting a proposed Regional Directory, which will provide a framework for the governance and missionary life of the future structure.
The proposed merger is not simply a matter of geographical reconfiguration. Above all, it is an opportunity to seek new and more effective ways of responding to the mission realities of Southern Africa, while remaining faithful to the Comboni Charism and missionary identity. Among the principal areas under consideration are governance, mission, formation and finances.
The Commission is composed of six members, including the three Provincials of the respective Provinces: Fr Andrew Bwalya, Provincial of Malawi-Zambia and host of the meeting; Fr John Baptist Keraryo Opargiw, Provincial of South Africa and Coordinator of the Commission; and Fr José Joaquim Luis Pedro, Provincial of Mozambique.
The other members are Fr Robert Kinena Ndungu of South Africa, Secretary of the Commission; Fr Anatole Welemu of Malawi-Zambia; and Fr Massimo Robol of Mozambique.
Also present at the meeting are two General Councillors from Rome: Bro Alberto Lamana, responsible for the English-speaking Africa sector, and Fr Austine Radol Odhiambo.
The meeting in Lusaka represents another important step in the ongoing process of discernment and reflection on the future of the Comboni missionary presence in Southern Africa.
The members of the Commission are expected to examine the various aspects of the proposed structure and identify practical ways of moving the process forward.
Fr Andrew Bwalya, MCCJ