The second Joint General Assembly of the Superiors of the Discalced Carmelites of Africa and Madagascar took place in Enugu from 26 to 30 January 2026. It brought together 22 participants representing 21 of the 22 countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean, alongside the two General Definitors for Africa, Fr Jean-Baptiste Pagabeleguem and Fr Philbert Namphande.
Participants shared their experiences of the lived reality of the Order’s charism and spirituality, its lifestyle, and its current challenges, including formation, governance, self-sustainability, collaboration, and restructuring.
The Father General addressed the participants in a letter to express his solidarity with the Discalced Carmelites in Africa and invited them to reflect on the specific challenges facing Carmelites on the continent.
At the conclusion of the assembly, the participants departed feeling renewed and strengthened, ready to continue their work within their respective circumscriptions. The next gathering is scheduled for 2029, when a formation congress is planned to take place in Nigeria.
