The gathering brought together key figures of Salesian leadership and formation, including Fr Silvio Roggia, General Councillor for Formation; three Provincials — Fr Denis Soro (AOS), Fr Jésus Benoit Badji (AON), and Fr Roland Mintsa (ATE); and two Vice Provincials — Fr Sylvain Agbangba (AOS) and Fr James Ailen (ANN). The Rectors and formation teams of the Postnovitiate and the two Novitiates, along with several sector delegates, were also present. In total, fourteen participants took part in the annual Curatorium.

Following the opening prayer led by Fr Sylvain Agbangba, Vice Provincial of AOS, Fr Denis Soro, Provincial of the host Province, welcomed the participants. He expressed particular joy at the presence of Fr Alphonse Owoudou, who, due to his numerous responsibilities at the Congregational level, had been unable to attend previous meetings. He also warmly greeted Fr Silvio Roggia and the Provincials and representatives from the participating Provinces, underlining the importance of shared responsibility in initial formation.

The discussions focused on three principal areas: the presentation of the annual reports of the three formation houses, pastoral and formative perspectives for the 2026–2027 year, and the adoption of the Statutes of the Lomé Curatorium. The approval of these Statutes marked a historic milestone. As Fr Owoudou noted with satisfaction, it is “the first Curatorium in the Congregation to adopt its own Statutes,” a significant step in strengthening coordination, accountability, and shared vision in the field of formation.

The meeting unfolded in a joyful atmosphere marked by fraternity and renewed commitment. Beyond the formal sessions, the Curatorium provided an opportunity for meaningful exchanges, evaluation of the formative journey of the young Salesians, and reaffirmation of the common mission to ensure quality initial formation rooted in the Salesian charism and attentive to the needs of the African context.

The 2026 Curatorium thus stands as a strong sign of communion and collaboration among the Provinces involved, reinforcing their shared responsibility in accompanying and forming future Salesians for the service of the young and the Church.