(ANS – Nairobi) – This morning at the Spirituality Centre of the Dimese Sisters in Nairobi, the work began  of the Team  Visit to the Africa Madagascar Region. From the first foundations under Don Rua at the end of the nineteenth century today there are 1466 Salesians in the Continent.

Following the programme agreed last February the Rector Major and some General  Councillors arrived yesterday afternoon in Nairobi to meet and work with the Superiors and members of the Councils of the 12 Provinces and Vice Provinces  of the Africa Madagascar Region.

In the evening the Rector Major and other guests were welcomed with a celebration by the boys from the Bosco Boys in Nairobi, a reception centre for disadvantaged youngsters, much appreciated in the locality and by the authorities. Acrobatics, dancing and short addresses introduced the 93 Salesians to the cultural atmosphere of the continent and the particular feature of the Salesian charism: a passion for the young.

The Councillors who accompanied Fr Pascual Chávez are, in addition to his Vicar Fr Adriano Bregolin: Fr Francesco Cereda, Councillor for Formation, Fr Fabio Attard, Councillor for Youth Ministry, Fr Vaclav Klement, Councillor for the Missions, Bro. Jean Paul Muller, Economer General, Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Councillor for the South Asia Region and Fr Guillermo Basañes, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region.

As with the other Team Visits the main items on the agenda will be the assessment of the implementation of the 26th General Chapter and the identification of the future prospects for the Provinces and Vice Provinces. The  Councils from each Circumscription have prepared contributions and reflections which will be presented by some of the Provincials.

Special attention will be given  to the Apostolic Exhortation following the Synod “Africae Munus” which will be presented by Archbishop Peter J. Kairo of Nyeri, Kenya.

The General Councillors will be offering their contributions on issues connected with Formation, Youth Ministry, the Missions and Religious Discipline. Among those taking part there are those responsible for three sectors which are beginning to be specifically animated and coordinating in the Region:: ongoing  formation, social communication and vocational training. Of the 93 Salesians taking part in the Team Visit 46% are of African origin, 33% European, 11% American and 10%  Asian. There are 8 Brothers.

This is the second Team Visit at which representatives of all the Salesian circumscriptions in Africa have met with the Rector Major and his Council. In the past there had been meetings according to language groups ; now with the improvement in internal links, even though at times costly, it is easier to organise continental meetings.

Salesian foundations in Africa began under Don Rua: Algeria (1891), Tunisia (1894), Egypt and South Africa (1896). At 31 December 2011, there were 1466 Salesians (including 94 Novices) in about forty countries; this is an increase of 34 since the previous year.

Published 21/02/2012