The Conference of Asia Oceania had a special session of the Assembly in Minburi in Bangkok in Thailand from 12th to 15th of August 2026. The Assembly is attended by all the Major Superiors and delegates of the Provinces of Bangalore, Liguori, Cebu, Vietnam, Thailand, Oceania, and Indonesia and the Vice Provinces of Majella, Manila, Japan, and the Regions of Colomba and South Korea. The Conference Coordinator of the Conference, Fr. Yoakim Ndelo, C.Ss.R. presided over the assembly and the two General Consultors from Asia Oceania, Frs. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R. and Fr. Paul Vinh, C.Ss.R. were also present.
The Assembly began with a half day recollection preached by Fr. Ivel who presented two reflections of Gratitude and Generosity, important virtues for leadership in the style of Jesus today. The recollection concluded with a time of adoration and prayer in the chapel with each confrere praying for another confrere in gratitude and petition.
The Assembly had as its main task to pass the amendments to the Statutes of the Conference of Asia Oceania as well as pass some decisions regarding financial administration of the Conference.
The different Secretariats of the Conference presented their reports like the Secretariat of Finance, Apostolate and the Commissions for the Brothers, the RYVM, Partnership in Mission. A report on the Asia Youth Gathering in Manila and Cebu was also presented along with a presentation on the next year’s World Youth Gathering in Seoul, South Korea.
A report on the General Chapter and other matters of the General Government was also presented with Cebu chosen to host the First Phase of the General Chapter for the Conference of Asia Oceania.
Reports were also presented by different units on the process of Reconfiguration taking place in the Confederation of India, in the Confederation of St. Clement, in the suppression of the Units of Colombo and Malaysia Singapore and the fusion of the two units into the Province of Oceania, along with the union of South Korea and Thailand as well as the process of federation among the units of Cebu and Manila.
A report on the International Community in Japan was also presented.
The Assembly voted to pass the amendments to the statutes of the Conference along with other matters of Finance including annual support to the Conference of Africa and Madagascar.
The Assembly concluded with gratitude and thanks expressed to and by members of the units of Colombo and Malaysia and Singapore which will soon be part of the Province of Oceania. The Conference Coordinator expressed his gratitude to all the Major Superiors and delegates present and Fr Ivel expressed his thanks to all present on behalf of the General Government. The Assembly concluded with a video message from Fr. Rogério Gomes, C.Ss.R, offering a word of encouragement, gratitude and hope to all the confreres in the context of the year dedicated to leadership in the Congregation.
Fr. Ivel Mendanha, CSsR.
