The Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana (CMSR-Gh) has convened its 2026 Biannual Plenary Assembly in Wa, with a call for stronger collaboration among Christian congregations. The assembly, themed “Synodal paths to mission sustainability: Walking together in hope,” aims to promote unity and cooperation among congregations. Sr. Dr. Lucy Hometowu, President of CMSR-Gh, emphasized the need for congregations to regard their diverse charisms, traditions, and apostolates as strengths, rather than sources of division.
Sr. Dr. Hometowu urged ministers of God to move beyond working alongside one another to genuinely walking together. She noted that no single congregation can adequately respond to all the needs of the present time, and therefore, Consecrated Persons must pool their gifts, experience, personnel, and resources. This, she believes, will enable them to accomplish more in areas such as formation, vocation promotion, youth empowerment, safeguarding, ecological justice, healthcare, education, pastoral ministry, social transformation, and communication.
The President of CMSR-Gh identified several areas where greater collaboration is necessary, including care for elderly and infirm clergy and Consecrated Persons, as well as the sustainable management of resources. She emphasized that the CMSR-Gh provides a platform for Consecrated Persons to learn from one another, support one another, and discern together how best to serve the Church and society.
The Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, welcomed participants to the Diocese, describing them as co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord. In an address read on his behalf, Bishop Bomansaan expressed appreciation to the Congregations serving in Ghana for their various charisms and contributions to the life of the Church. He noted that the gathering is an opportunity for renewal, reflection on the prophetic and apostolic role of Consecrated Persons, and stronger collaboration in evangelization.
Bishop Bomansaan described the theme of the assembly as timely, given the Universal Church's ongoing implementation of the synodal process. He urged participants to use the days in Wa to listen deeply to God and to one another, and to return to their communities with renewed zeal, fresh vision, and stronger bonds of fraternity. The assembly provides a unique opportunity for Consecrated Persons to practice “working together, listening together, discerning together, and acting together.”
A keynote address was delivered by Dr. Joseph, a Franciscan Catholic priest and academic. While details of the address are not available, it is expected that his presentation contributed to the discussions on fostering greater collaboration among congregations. The assembly will provide a platform for participants to engage with one another and explore ways to strengthen their partnerships.
The Biannual Plenary Assembly of the CMSR-Gh will conclude with a renewed commitment to collaboration and synodality among congregations. The outcome of the assembly is expected to have a positive impact on the life of the Church and society in Ghana. Key to this is the implementation of the synodal process and the fostering of a culture of collaboration and mutual support among Consecrated Persons.
Key points
- The Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana (CMSR-Gh) has called for stronger collaboration among Christian congregations to address the needs of the present time.
- The 2026 Biannual Plenary Assembly of the CMSR-Gh aims to promote unity and cooperation among congregations.
- The assembly's theme, “Synodal paths to mission sustainability: Walking together in hope,” reflects the Universal Church's ongoing implementation of the synodal process.
