ACWECA PLENARY: ACWECA Laments Challenges in Religious Formation across the Region

Stella Zulu

The Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has said the region is facing significant challenges in religious formation, which are hindering the efforts of formators in guiding sisters towards Christlikeness.

This was put out by Sr. Jane Frances Nnantamu of Religious Sisters Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix-Ggogonya during ACWECA’s 19 General Assembly that is taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi. Sr. Nnantamu said despite the dedication and goodwill of many formators in the region, several critical issues are threatening the effectiveness of the formation process.

“One of the most outstanding challenges is the scarcity of appropriately trained formators. My personal experience of more than twenty years in the field of formation and the ensuing encounters and interaction with a wide number of formators in the region reveals the fact that few formators are given adequate professional competence before their being appointed as formators.” Said Sr. Nnantamu

She continued that while some are given opportunities to attend short courses or study spiritual and psychosocial materials, these initiatives often lack the depth and supervision necessary for effective formation. Consequently, many formators in the ACWECA regionare left to learn on the job, relying on their personal qualities and trial-and-error methods.

In addition to that, lack of emphasis on the formation of formators, absence of complete and updated formation programs, in many religious institutes, an overwhelming number of formees in some formation houses, scarcity of professional psychologists, and the strains of poverty are also significant challenges said to be affecting the formation system in the region.

“Two types of formators are needed; formators who can recognize and address difficulties arising from both conscious and unconscious dynamics of personality, to help candidates develop their potential to internalize vocational values. The second one is formators who can offer more profound vocational growth sessions and psychotherapy to help formees work through problems rooted in unconscious issues,” advised Sr. Nnantamu

The challenges were said to affect the production of solid religious leaders ready to address the current circumstances in ACWECA which indicates the need for deeper evangelization and prioritization of practical training of formators to ensure they are well-equipped to guide sisters in their vocational journeys and contribute meaningfully to the mission of the Church.