From June 28 to July 12, 2023, a workshop was conducted at the St. Bonaventure Friary and Formation House in Nairobi, Kenya for friars engaged in the ministry of forming our friars in Africa. The formation workshop was intended for formators in the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF) who had not yet had specialized training as formators.
The topics covered by the workshop included: “Challenges in Consecrated Life and Conventual Franciscan Formation in Africa and a New Paradigm of Formation”; “The Priority Tasks of Formators”; “The Objectives and Protagonists of Franciscan Formation”; “The Dimensions for Living Franciscan Discipleship”; The Juridical Qualities of a Formator”; “The Relationship between Initial and Continuing Formation”; “The Art of Formative Accompaniment: Theory and Practice”; and “Sexual Scandals Facing the Church: Lessons for Religious Formation Today among Others.”
The friars attending the workshop were from various Jurisdictions in Africa, namely, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana and Tanzania.
The workshop facilitators were Friar Joseph KACHELEWA, a member of the General Secretariat for Formation; Friar Blasio OOKO, a spiritual director at the Seraphicum College in Rome; and Friar Moses Kabenla ARTHUR, President of the AFCOF Formation Commission. Additional lectures were given by Friar Anthony Bezo KUTIERO, the Assistant General for the AFCOF Federation; Friar Obed KAROBIA, President of the AFCOF Federation and Minister Provincial of the Province of Kenya; and Father John Martin OWOR, Episcopal Vicar for the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
In addition to attending classes, the participants were also given an opportunity to visit our parish in South C, Nairobi, go on an outing and enjoy some fraternal recreation. A prayer session was conducted to conclude the workshop before the Lord.
Friar Moses Kabenla ARTHUR
