Major Superiors Launch First Continental Newsletter to Boost Visibility of Consecrated Life in Africa

“We expect first to get to know the significant mission of many religious institutes, joint ventures in formation, social communication, or other fields of the mission, that are usually not well known,” Fr. Klement said.

He added, “Such information may trigger an interest, become formation or even transformation that may inspire religious sisters, brothers, and Priests in other countries.”

Credit: Confederation of Conferences of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COSMAM/COMSAM)

He noted that within the Universal Church, Consecrated life plays a significant role, especially on the African continent. “However, a beautiful life witness, lifestyle, and mission of the Consecrated men and women is not yet well known to the ordinary parish population,” Fr. Klement said. 

He continued, “With the investment in the visibility of Consecrated Life, we would like to contribute to the growth of the synodal Church.”

During the 2025 COMSAM Symposium, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, challenged members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) in Africa to become “missionaries of synodality.” 

Fr. Klement reiterated Cardinal Ambongo’ sentiments, adding, “COMSAM believes that greater visibility of Religious Life will contribute to building a Church rooted in listening, dialogue, and participation.”

Credit: Confederation of Conferences of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COSMAM/COMSAM)

The decision to introduce the newsletter stemmed from an internal evaluation conducted during the 2025 COMSAM General Assembly in Pretoria, South Africa. Delegates noted weak communication structures and limited awareness about the identity and contributions of ICLSAL members at local and continental levels.

Newly elected leadership headed by President Sr. Rita Yamba of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP/Pauline Sisters) subsequently entrusted a three-member communication team, coordinated by Fr. Ananda Talluri of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), Fr Klement in South Africa, and Fr Symphorien of the Order of Preachers (OP/Dominicans) in Burundi), to design and implement a communication strategy. 

Fr. Klement told ACI Africa that the newsletter is “considered a key response to this challenge.”

He further said the two-page bulletin is inspired by the long-running Salesian missionary animation newsletter Cagliero11.

In her message to readers, COMSAM President highlighted the confederation’s commitment to supporting spiritual journeys, encouraging dialogue, and building communion among congregations across six regions: Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands, East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa.

Sr. Rita Yamba. Credit: Confederation of Conferences of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COSMAM/COMSAM)

“Our newsletter will serve as a space for sharing information, reflections, and initiatives. It will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and Gmail, with future editions also published on Instagram and Twitter,” Sr. Yamba said

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She added, “We are aware of the challenges we face as consecrated persons. Conflicts, poverty, inequality, and more. This first newsletter will be a tool to address these issues and encourage constructive dialogue.”

Sr. Yamba invited ICLSAL members to actively participate in the initiative, saying, “Your ideas and testimonies are vital to enriching this newsletter and keeping it vibrant. Together, let us make COSMAM/COMSAM a beacon of hope for consecrated life in Africa.”

“May Our Lady of Africa, Mother of Hope and of consecrated persons, and all African Saints inspire and support this new apostolic work of our Confederation,” the FSP member implored.

Credit: Confederation of Conferences of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COSMAM/COMSAM)

Despite its significance, the initiative faces practical hurdles. 

Fr. Klement told ACI Africa that COMSAM has no permanent staff or physical headquarters, and most of those serving at the continental level do so on a voluntary basis.

“As of today, we struggle even to get the contacts of all national or regional conferences of religious life,” he said, and added, expressing optimism in the newsletter’s growth, “We hope the COMSAM monthly newsletter will inspire more good initiatives.”