From March 24th to 27th, 2026, the Joint Council of the Redemptorist Units of Nigeria and Afrique de l’Ouest gathered at the Divine Providence Community of the Sisters of St. Augustine in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic. This important meeting formed part of the Western Zone’s ongoing roadmap toward reconfiguration, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward a more unified missionary structure.
The meeting brought together seven council members from Nigeria and nine from Afrique de l’Ouest. While the councils had previously engaged through two online meetings and occasional encounters during COREAM assemblies, this gathering was historic as it marked the first time the full complement of both councils met physically. This face-to-face encounter created a new depth of engagement that virtual meetings could not fully provide.
Beyond its administrative purpose, the meeting became a moment of genuine fraternity. Confreres had the opportunity to bond, share experiences, and deepen mutual understanding. The atmosphere was one of openness and collaboration, reflecting the spirit of unity that reconfiguration seeks to foster. Meals, informal conversations, and shared prayer all contributed to strengthening the sense of brotherhood among members.
At the heart of the discussions were critical matters concerning the future of the emerging unit. A major focus was the development of electoral laws that will guide the election of leadership for the new entity. The councils carefully reviewed and made corrections to the first draft of these laws, ensuring that they reflect both fairness and the shared vision of the units involved.
In addition to electoral matters, the councils engaged in thoughtful reflection on key areas such as governance structures, financial sustainability, and the possible location of the headquarters of the future unit. These discussions were marked by sincerity and a strong commitment to building a viable and mission-oriented structure.
The meeting also resulted in concrete decisions and timelines. Dates were agreed upon for sending the draft electoral laws to all confreres of both units for their input, as well as revised timelines for upcoming assemblies and other key stages in the reconfiguration process. These steps are intended to ensure broad participation and transparency as the process unfolds.
There is a shared sense of hope and anticipation that the Western Zone will be formally inaugurated by the end of the year. This gathering in Porto-Novo stands as a clear sign that the journey toward reconfiguration is not only progressing steadily but is also being shaped by a spirit of unity, dialogue, and missionary commitment.
As the confreres returned to their respective units, they carried with them not only decisions and documents but also renewed relationships and a deeper conviction that the future being built together is both possible and promising.
Godwin Abbah, CSsR.
