On Monday, June 22, the annual assembly of the Delegation of Germany took place in Werne. Participants included all the brothers from two communities (Berlin and Werne). The General Government was represented by Alberto Toutin sscc and Jean Blaise Mwanda sscc.
Two items were on the agenda: listening and spirituality of belonging, and the message from the General Government.
Listening and spirituality of belonging: Rainer Neuendorff (a layperson who accompanies the brothers) emphasized that home is not only where you come from or where you have worked successfully, but also where you have lived with men and women — including in conflict. Hence the question of patience in conflicts. He proposed the image of the eucharistic table as a place where everything is considered to be in the house of God.
General Government message: In his address, Alberto Toutin recalled the last General Chapter's new awareness: "we are an international missionary body, called to live in greater interdependence" — as also highlighted by Pope Leo XIV in his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, n. 13. The brothers of the international community of Berlin and those of Werne are witnesses to the reciprocity of gifts.
At the level of the CEA, this calls for thinking together about the Congregation in Europe and Africa. What are the missionary priorities we want to live out in Europe and Africa? How can we collaborate to make these priorities effective? And with what structure of governance and animation? What are we doing with regard to the option for young people?
06/22/2026