Kinshasa-Kikwit, DR. Congo. From 5–14 March 2026, the Independent Delegation of Congo organised the Claretian Discerning Leadership (CDL) Formation. This event brought together Local Superiors, Parish Priests, and Directors of pastoral and social structures in Kimbondo (Kinshasa) and Kikwit. Facilitated by Fr Jude Thaddeus Langeh, cmf, the programme focused on the theme: “Exercising authority as service: discerning, governing, and leading the mission today.”
The CDL program was created to address the Church’s need for new leaders in situations involving complex pastoral issues, diverse cultures, and broader social problems. As highlighted during the sessions, leadership in the Claretian tradition is not merely administrative but deeply spiritual, communal, and missionary, rooted in the example of Saint Anthony Mary Claret and the Gospel call to service.
Participants reflected on key themes, including authority as service, discernment in decision-making, transparency and accountability, teamwork, and the transition from individualism to a shared mission. The formation also addressed contemporary concerns, including crisis management in the digital era and the importance of collaborative leadership within Church structures.
Beyond the sessions for pastoral leaders, the initiative was extended to the Claretian students in formation at Mbenseke (Propaedeutic stage) and the Scholasticate of Kimbondo, emphasising the importance of forming future missionaries in a leadership style grounded in fraternity, responsibility, and missionary dynamism. A final session was also held with the Government of the Delegation, fostering a shared vision for leadership renewal at all levels.
Participants described the experience as a moment of personal and communal conversion, calling for a shift “from ‘I’ to ‘We’” in the exercise of authority and mission. This formation marks an important step in strengthening the Claretian presence in Congo, reaffirming that the renewal of mission begins with the renewal of leaders. Rooted in discernment, communion, and service, this initiative opens new paths towards a more evangelical, synodal, and missionary Church.
