120 delegates and guests from 20 countries around the world have been gathered in Togo since yesterday evening. They are participating in the 6th Fondacio International Congress, officially launched this Sunday, April 30, 2023. Fondacio organizes a Congress every five years. It allows the association to renew its governing bodies and vote on new directions for the next term. Immersion.
The asphalt fades away and leaves room for a bumpy and porous track. The red earth and its undulations make the scenery waver. The vegetation bursts with a waterlogged green: it is the beginning of the rainy season in Togo. The Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours church, under construction, vibrates with a particular agitation, on this Sunday morning, April 30. Many families from the Zéglé Yéyé parish, in Sichem, mingle with the 120 delegates and guests of Fondacio, for the mass, from 8:30 to 10:30.
The latter is celebrated by the very reverend Father Bertin Agbobly-Atayi, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Lomé. Many songs punctuate it. Following the mass, the congress participants take to the road again to go to the Sichem center. "I extend you a cordial welcome to African land, the cradle of humanity," welcomes them Gabriel Amouzou, Africa coordinator for Fondacio. "To meet regularly is the true meaning of friendship, as we are, in fear, distress, misery. Thank you for coming to us because, where we have our hearts, our feet do not hesitate to go!"
Growing up in humanity
Fondacio has been present in Africa for over 40 years. "The Sichem center has made the effort to embody the directions taken in the Philippines" for five years, during the 5th Fondacio Congress in 2018. "Thank you Sichem, oasis of providence. We believe it is possible to create a desirable future," emphasizes Gabriel Amouzou, Africa coordinator for Fondacio, in reference to the theme of this 6th International Congress: "A time for change, let's build a desirable future!"
He continues: “Where are our difficulties today as Africans? What are our priorities as Christians for the world? How do we take care of our respective environments and the earth? We must come together. Thank you for choosing the African continent of hope!” François Prouteau, president of Fondacio, declares: “Africa is the cradle of humanity. By coming here, we draw on our deep roots... We have never finished growing in humanity. Let us be congressmen committed to being, in these times of change, servants of humanity.”
He added: "Thank you for your welcome, your hospitality. My heart is full of joy and, as within each of us, in celebration! One of the calls we have received here is that we participate in the people of Africa rising up to put the continent on its feet. We are keen to be with you. We are Africa with you!" Then the 6th International Congress was officially inaugurated by Father Bertin Agbobly-Atayi: "This is the first time that Fondacio has met in Africa. As a member of the Church of Lomé, I saw the birth of the association in Togo. A Congress is a major event in the life of an association. The mission continues."
A time for reflection
For Dominique Detollenaere, member of the Fondacio quartet in Belgium and delegate, "it is a great reunion of all the communities of Asia, South America, Europe, Africa. This warmth, this welcome that Africa can give us... We feel very close, it is very festive, there is a lot of joy, everything in the dance! It exudes happiness. This time of inner reflection, of inspiration from the Holy Spirit who must tell us where we must go, while respecting the identity of Fondacio, is very important to me."
During the assessment of the last term, presented this Sunday afternoon, François Prouteau stressed: "The shift in the world is a current issue, for different reasons. We must embrace this movement of the world. The conversion that we are expected to undergo may involve upheavals, which may lead to a loss of balance... but that does not prevent us from continuing to walk."
Five days of work now open before the congress participants, until Friday, May 5. After the assessment of the previous term, presented this afternoon by François Prouteau, the delegates will have to define the new orientations for the term that is opening (2023-2028) and decide on the constitution of the next Council (Monday, Thursday, Friday). Various immersions in projects supported by Fondacio in Togo will also take place on Tuesday, May 2.
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