CSsR NWE Meeting in Rome October 2026...

Redemptorists in North West Europe - Communiqué

Dear Confreres, Sisters, Partners in Mission, and friends

The Federation Council gathered at Sant’Alfonso, Rome, on 27 and 28 October 2026. These were two days of fraternal exchange, attentive listening and decision making.

We chose to meet outside the Federation Zone to allow time for separate conversations with Fr Piotr Chyła, C.Ss.R., Coordinator of the Redemptorist Conference of Europe, and Fr Zdzisław Franciszek Stanula, C.Ss.R., Vicar General and General Consultor. Both encounters encouraged open dialogue, searching questions and valuable contributions.

We were heartened by the recognition that our Federation is engaging sincerely with the demanding work of restructuring. At the same time, we were encouraged to remain focused and to set out a clearer roadmap towards a fuller and more coherent reconfiguration of the Redemptorist presence in North-West Europe.

Each of our four Units shared news and developments since our meeting in May 2026, speaking candidly of challenges and setbacks, as well as moments of grace. This mutual listening continues to strengthen our sense of belonging to one another.

We discussed the General Government’s recent decisions to increase income and property taxes, with the additional revenue directed towards building the Redemptorist Fund for Africa and Madagascar. We also reflected on the expectation that founding Units with missions in Africa will continue to provide financial support for those missions in the years ahead.

We received feedback from the gathering of Redemptorists under 50, sponsored by the Federation Council and held in Perth, Scotland, in July 2026. We also considered correspondence from the European Coordinator proposing a pan-European approach to Redemptorist formation in response to the challenges now facing the Congregation in Europe.

After careful discernment, the Federation Council agreed to speak with one voice at the Redemptorist Conference of Europe Assembly in Lisbon, 16–20 November 2026, in support of the emerging plan for a new and consolidated approach to the formation of Redemptorist students in Europe.

With elections under way in the Units and possible changes in leadership ahead, we gave careful thought to the Federation’s path over the next two years. Four priorities emerged:

1. Continue financial and governance appraisals to help discern the likely shape of a reconfigured Redemptorist presence in North-West Europe.

2. Prepare an Assembly of EPC members from each of the four Units, planned for 5–10 September 2027, and an Assembly of representatives of confreres and Partners in Mission from every Federation community, planned for 6–10 March 2028.

3. Strengthen joined-up thinking and a common strategy for promoting vocations across North-West Europe.

4. Undertake an in-depth sharing of each Unit’s approach to safeguarding, drawing out mutual learning through the examination of safeguarding case studies.

Other matters considered included the draft Federation Statutes, shared mission, and Chapter and electoral processes.

Our time in Rome was enriched by the generous hospitality we received, including a joyful gaudeamus hosted by Fr General. Prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist were woven through our full programme, reminding us of the source and purpose of all our deliberations.

The next Federation Council meeting will take place digitally on 12 February 2027, following the

completion of the Units’ Chapters and the election of their new leadership teams.

We return to our Units grateful for the fraternity shared and hopeful that, guided by the Spirit, we can continue this journey together in fidelity to our Redemptorist calling.

Frs Jan Hafmans, Brendan O’Rouke, Martin Leitgöb, Richard Reid, Ian Niron, Gerry O’Connor, Elias Gweme, Anton Wölfl, CSsR.

Moderator Fr Ciaran O’Callaghan CSsR., Secretary Mr Eric Corsius

Rome, 28th October 2026