Leadership of Salesian Provinces of Africa Meet in Addis Ababa

by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB · October 28, 2025

By Fr Vaclav Klement – Just six months after the General Chapter 29 in Turin and Rome, February-April 2025, the leadership of 15 SDB provinces of Africa gathered in Addis Ababa at the SDB provincial house, Gottera, for their historic meeting.

A week-long stay started with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Salesian presence in Ethiopia and Eritrea (1975-2025), at Mekanissa Don Bosco. The Eucharist and Civil celebrations were presided over by the Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, CM (Lazarist), attended by hundreds of faithful, youth and Salesian Family members.

A four-day intense meeting was animated by four members of the Salesian General Council: Fr Stefano Martoglio (Vicar of the Rector Major), Fr Silvio Roggia (General Council for Formation), Fr Innocent Bizimana (General Councillor for East-South Africa Region and Fr Alphonse Owoudu (General Councillor for Central-West Africa Region).

All 14 Provincial superiors, two delegation superiors and a joint Africa regional centre team appreciated a high-quality motivational conference shared by the Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Ababa, Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, MCCJ (former general superior of Comboni Missionaries) on consecrated life – blessings and challenges in the synodal Church.

Due to the fast growth of the Salesian charism in the African continent: growth of confreres (2200+ SDB and 177 novices), communities (210+) spread in 42 countries and grouped in 15 provinces and 4 provincial delegations, the main concern rotated about a quality and sustainability of formation and more effective animation by four continental services: SAFCAM (Salesian Formation: including consecrated Salesians and their mission partners), DBTECH Africa (continental network of 120 TVETs in 34 countries), Salesian Social Services and Salesian Africa digital platforms of communication (website and social media).

Witnessing the multiplication (and not division!) of one Africa-Madagascar Region during the recent General Chapter 29 (2025), provincials already working in their respective regional groups (East-South Africa – 9 provinces comprising 21 countries and Central-West Africa – 6 provinces comprising 21 countries) worked on their 6-year plan (2025-2031) with respective main objectives, goals and strategies. The five-SDB-strong continental animation team based in Nairobi, Kenya (Don Bosco YES) continues as the geographical and logistics centre.

God continues to bless the Salesians with 273 students of theology, 65 Salesian Brothers, 244 confreres in practical training, 432 postnovices, 177 novices, 228 prenovices and about 280 aspirants. Indeed, a grace and great responsibility of solid discernment and personal accompaniment in formation.

Despite all possible challenges of war, violence and lack of formation personnel and necessary infrastructures, the Salesians of Don Bosco continue to expand their mission for the young people, especially those more disadvantaged. We give thanks to God for the fast growth of the Salesian charism in Africa (since the 1980 Project Africa). We just bring our hands together and say: Saint John Bosco, pray for us!