From 15 to 17 August 2025, the 4th Regional Assembly of the Lay Claretians of Dem. Rep. of Congo was held at the Magnificat Centre in the Kimwenza district of Kinshasa. Referring to the Sourcebook and Statutes of the Lay Claretian Movement, it should be noted that the assembly is an important moment for fraternal listening, exchange, discernment, and evaluation in order to plan the future of the Movement in the country.
In connection with the jubilee year, the theme of this fourth assembly was: ‘Lay Claretians, pilgrims of hope in the footsteps of Claret’. Moderated by Father Jean ANAKOU, CMF, national chaplain, who also led the opening recollection, Sister Jacqueline MIFUBA, RMI, and other chaplains (Fathers Jean-Paul KATY, Joseph MAWANGU, Jacques KAMENGA), this assembly was attended by 70 members from Pay-Kongila, Kindi, Kikwit and Kinshasa.
The main document used in the teachings was the Claretian Apostle. Various topics were addressed, including Claretian spirituality and charism by Fr. Christian KASEMA cmf, the Claretian apostolate by Fr. Robert NDJOLI cmf, the formation of the Claretian laity by Sister Petronie MUTUNGIDIMBU rmi, the Claretian family by Sister Jacqueline MIFUBA rmi, meditation on the life of Saint Anthony Mary Claret by Father Jean Claude MAKAMBU cmf, and the mission of the laity in the Church by Mr Alexis YOKA.
Following elections held locally, the Lay Claretians Movement in Congo now has a new leadership team with the following coordinators.
- National Coordinator : Mr. Jean-Pierre TUKWEZO (Com. Notre dame d’Afrique )
- National Vice-Coordinator:: Ms. Claire DIKITELE MAVINGA ( Com. Saint Ignace )
- National Secretaryl : Ms. Solange MUJINGILA ( Com. Saint Ignace )
- National vice-secretary: Mr. Alphonse KABISU ( Com.Mère de la Foi )
- National Treasurer: Ms. Marie-Christine UBANGA ( Com. Notre Dame d’Afrique )
- National Vice-Treasurer: Ms. Bernadette TENDA ( Com. Saint Antoine M. Claret )
- National Formation Responsible : Mr. Cyprien MANDJAN ( Com. Saint Mathieu )
- Formation Team :
- Ms. Chantale NSIMBA, ( Com. Saint Antoine M. Claret )
- Mr. Albert MAKITA, ( Com. St Ignace )
- Mr. Aubin ITOKA, ( Com. Kindi )
The closing of the assembly took place in a fraternal, festive atmosphere of thanksgiving to God for all the graces received. We express our gratitude to the entire General Council team who followed the opening via video call and to all those who sent various messages of encouragement, especially to the Secretary General, the General Advisor, the Major Superior of the CMF Claretians Missionaries of Congo and the Provincial Sister of the RMI Claretian Missionaries of Congo. Long live the Claretian mission.
Father Jean Anakou cmf
(National Advisor of the Lay Claretians in Democratic Republic of Congo)
