National Assembly of Italian Comboni Lay Missionaries in Venegono Superiore

Also present were two Comboni missionaries (Father Eliseo Tacchella, provincial councillor, superior of the Mother House in Verona, and Comboni missionary contact person for the CLMs-Italy, and Father Alessio Geraci, from the community in Padova), a Comboni Sister and a Comboni Secular Missionary, Mr Alberto de la Portilla, from Spain, Coordinator of the CLMs, Mr Marco Piccione, from Italy, member of the Central Committee, and Father Arlindo Pinto (contact person of the General Council of the MCCJs for the CLMs, in Rome, and member of the Central Committee of the CLM).

During the first two days, five round tables were held on some specific topics, during which the CLMs had the opportunity to share their views on the sense of belonging, the specific service of the laity, and the rules for sending CLMs on missions to countries other than their home countries, the national and international organisation and structure of the CLMs, and collaboration within the entire Comboni Family.

On the afternoon of Saturday, 9^th December, they were able to meet online the CLMs engaged in missionary service in Brazil, in Kenya and in Castel Volturno, in the province of Caserta in Campania.

After a prolonged exchange of views, the participants in the assembly decided to adopt the guidelines for formation approved in their international assemblies into their formation plan, as well as to support dialogue with the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, in view of the recognition of their CLM Movement as an International Association of the Faithful (IAF) by the same Vatican Dicastery.

At the European level, it was decided that the CLMs will continue to promote the ‘Stop Border Violence’ campaign against torture crimes committed at our borders.

Next January, the current coordination group (currently made up of two representatives from each local group, which is so large that their meetings are difficult) will meet to elect a new coordination group of only five members, who will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the CLM Movement and animating the joint initiatives decided on the various topics discussed.

The Assembly concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Father Arlindo. After the communion, the ceremony was held to send Ilaria and Federica, who are leaving for the mission in Carapira, Mozambique, and Julia, who will go to Kenya for a short time of missionary service.