Consecrated Life Conference AGM – Searching for New Life & Vocation Culture

by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB · March 13, 2026

By Father Vaklav Klement – With more than 60 participants, the 2026 Annual General Assembly of the LCCL-SA (Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life – Southern Africa: Botswana, eSwatini, South Africa) was held on March 9 -12 at Lumko Centre in Johannesburg. The theme was ‘Missionaries of Hope, of Joy in search for New Life’.

A few remarkable traits of the 2026 AGM: a slowly growing number of participating congregations, a stronger sense of togetherness, and being empowered and impacted by the 2025 COMSAM Symposium in South Africa. At the heart of the 4 days was a search for new life, based on extensive surveys on vocation animation, followed by a deep sharing on the LCCL response to the vocation culture growth challenges.

Consecrated life at the heart of the Catholic community was tangible with the presence of Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski and Archbishop Emeritus Slattery, OFM, who presided over the morning Eucharist and especially through the constant presence of the SACBC Liaison Bishop for the LCCL-SA, Vusimuzi Francis Mazibuko, OMI. Both religious bishops addressed in their homilies a strong need to remain in deep relationship with Jesus within our turbulent and challenging times.

It was a great time of sharing amongst consecrated men and women gathered from all 3 countries of the LCCL-Southern Africa, with a strong contribution of religious brothers: LCCL Vice-president Br John Bwanali, FMS, moderator of the Assembly Br Tendai, CMM), expert in Safeguarding, Br Fortune, FMS, and many others.

Election of new Leaders

A good number of congregation leaders (15 of 60) participated for the first time in this annual appointment. Besides getting to know many of their colleagues, they appreciated a very informative program, tackling many burning issues of today’s consecrated life in South Africa: building a vocation culture, safeguarding policy-related wisdom, and cybersecurity in the mission. Much useful information was shared through the 13 LCCL portfolios interview style reporting (formation, vocations, youth ministry, communication, JPIC, Catholic education, Catholic health care, ecumenism…).

The General Assembly also elected three new members of the executive team, representing all 3 conference countries: Fr Coleman, SDV (Vocationist, South Africa), Sr Bontle CS (Calvary Sister, Botswana) and Sr M Cecilia Dlamini (Servant of Mary, eSwatini). The 10-member executive team (President Sr Zelna, RGS and Vice President Br John, FSM) take care of the animation of the large network made of 90 congregations with 2200 men and women religious.

After a very fruitful COMSAM 2025 Symposium in Johannesburg (May 2025, with more than 400 religious), most of the LCCL members feel more connected to the wider Catholic community in Africa and beyond. A heartfelt message was sent for the AGM by the President of the Regional Conference of Southern Africa (9 countries), Fr Joaquim Pedro, MCCJ.

Search for New Life

Probably the strongest impact was the ‘search for new life’ (vocation theme) based on extensive surveys of many religious and young adults, digested with group sharing, vocation culture prayer, evening Eucharistic adoration for vocations, and visibly expressed in the project of ‘Vocation Guidebook’ that may be available in few months in all 30 dioceses and all 90+ congregation of the conference. According to one sister: ‘It was the first time we have tackled a deeper vocation animation theme’.

After 4 days of AGM, the leaders voiced their experience as a time of grace, interesting and uplifting.

Fr Coleman, SDV (SA): ‘A beautiful reunion, I learnt a lot from personal sharing, very helpful for our community life, we understand better who we are.’

Fr Joseph Vaddakam, SVD (Botswana – SA): A lot of useful information was given, especially on vocation promotion. I go back with a great hope, having already communicated with our vocation and JPIC members. Hope for a better collaboration.’

Sr Virginia (Nazareth Sisters, SA): This time took from the AGM: We need to walk more together! Very fruitful, met many other leaders, exchanged ideas, and prayed for vocation. People need to see me joyful, to attract new vocations!’

Sr Itumeleng (Servant of Christ the High Priest, SA): My takeaway, we need to deepen our culture of safeguarding, starting from our own religious and also to be more involved in counter human trafficking. Many things will be shared with my community at home.’

With grateful hearts, all LCCL-SA leaders look forward to supporting each other and meeting again next March 8-11, 2027. A wealth of sharing, resources of this AGM are available on the social media of LCCL-SA and SACBC.