The General Minister Br. Roberto Genuin has convoked a Pan-African meeting which will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 1 to 6, 2027. The convocation comes in a letter addressed to all the brothers of the African Continent in which Br Robert urged the brothers «to work together with confidence and to feel fully involved in the hope that the meeting will contribute to the future journey of the Capuchins in the great and diverse continent».
The convocation brings to life a concept already expressed by the General Minister at the beginning of this current six-year term (cf. Initial Letter of the Sexennium – No. 40), paying particular attention to the animation of the African circumscriptions. With this letter, he confirmed that the phase of planning with the African General Councilors and the preparatory committee has reached such a level that allows the dates and location to be made official.
In order to facilitate the participation of all the african brothers in this historical event, CAMSA President, Br. Arnold Shirima, has outlined the following steps for the preparation of the PANAF:
1) On January 21, 2026, questionnaires will be sent to each circumscription, and within two to three days, they will be forwarded to each community.
2) The responses from every community must be submitted to the secretary of the preparatory commission by April 30, 2026.
3) Between May 1 and May 5, 2026, the secretary will share the feedback from the brothers with both the experts and the preparatory commission.
4) By July 1, 2026, the experts are expected to present the initial draft of their topics to the preparatory commission.
Br. Shirima anticipates that «this meeting will serve as a moment of appreciation and spiritual rejuvenation, a period of profound fraternity and spiritual happiness, and a chance for prophetic recommitment to our Capuchin identity for the glory of God and the benefit of all».
Below are the invitation letters of both the General Minister, Br Roberto Genuin and the CAMSA President, Br. Arnold Shirima.