Nairobi, Kenya. On the fourth day of the meeting, 23 November, Brother Carlos Verga, General Prefect of Youth and Vocations Ministry, started his assigned session with a contemplation exercise and a group dynamic at the same time. The participants were asked to put their shoes on their hands as a symbol of putting one’s life on one’s hands and think of where heis going, and of his itineraries. Then they were asked to put their shoes on the hands of their companion and asked the other to put it on their foot as a symbol of putting one’s life in the shoes of others. A short sharing followed. Then the group was asked to read number 24 of EvangeliiGaudium and then share in small groups on the invitation of the Pope as related to our life and service as Claretian Missionaries.
Later, Fr. Leo Dalmao, General Prefect of Formation, delivered his talk on interculturality. As introductory part of his talk, he presented two interviews to two of the Claretians who are working in Rome, one from the Province of Bética (Fr. José Mariá Hernández) and one from the Province of the Philippines (Fr. Louie Guades III). The group were then asked to share their own resonances, thoughts and sensations. Then the group was asked to:
- remember the Claretian missionaries that they have known in the past and who came from other cultural contexts to the African continent;
- remember the Claretian missionaries from the African continent who have been assigned to other Organisms of our Congregation;
- and remember the Claretian missionaries from other Organism and culture and who are currently assigned in the Organisms in Africa.
In the afternoon, Father General presented the document written by Fr. JosepRovira: “Missionaries in the mission of the Church”. After reading, the body was asked to do a group work based on some questions:
- What are the important three insights that you find enlightening us about interculturality?
- What are the three major challenges that we face in living and missioning intercultural communities?
- How can we address these challenges to create effective intercultural communities (3 proposal)?
The groups presented their realizations and thoughts during the plenary facilitated by Brother Carlos. Then Father General expressed his desire and interest on interculturality, its present and future importance in our Congregation. He then posited a question to everyone, “What mechanisms can we create for both who are sent and the recipient Organisms?” Afterwards, Brother Carlos handed them a document to read and reflect upon: “Interculturality and mission in the Congregation. Theoretical and practical approaches to reflect and live the interculturality and the mission in the Claretian Congregretation”.And sharing followed the personal reading.
Before the evening prayer, Fr. Henry Omonisaye facilitated the practical matters of the meeting: schedule of departures and evaluation of the meeting. Evening Prayer followed, prepared by the West Nigeria Delegation and then dinner. After dinner, the General Government met with the Government of the Independent Delegation of Cameroun.