International Leadership Training Program for Territorial Councils

The General Council recently organized a two-day online leadership training program for the newly appointed territorial councils, held on 28 and 29 April 2026, from 3pm to 6pm (German time). As part of the General Council’s responsibility to accompany and empower the territorial councils, the sessions provided a vital platform for the superiors to evaluate their progress and refine collaborative governance through a blend of spiritual reflection and technical instruction. 

The first day was dedicated to the “Cultivation of the Spirit,” emphasizing that spiritual animation serves as the bedrock of effective territorial guidance. The session opened with a prayer led by Fr. Pedro Kühlcke, followed by an introduction from Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, during which the participants shared their specific roles and current apostolates. A significant portion of the afternoon was spent assessing the concrete steps taken since the previous training session, in which Fr. Raúl Espina, Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, and Fr. Pedro Kühlcke had reported on spiritual animation, strategic planning, and the practical management of councils, respectively. Additionally, Fr. Paul Panamkulam, Fr. Jose Amaladoss, Fr. Charles Ozioko, and Fr. Vandemir Meister shared how they had implemented the previous inputs within their respective territories. This collaborative environment allowed the leaders to learn from the diverse methods of cultivation of the spirit used across the Community, aiming to establish clearer guidelines for council responsibility. On the second day, the focus shifted to “Team Building in the Council”. After an opening prayer by Fr. Ignacio Camacho, Fr. Joy Puthussery led a session on the complexities of joint decision-making. This segment helped the leaders become more aware of individual value systems and the various elements that contribute to making cohesive, informed team decisions. Fr. Diogo Barata, Fr. Pablo Pol, and Fr. Raffael Rieger shared their specific experiences regarding the “team finding” process, illustrating how their councils work together to achieve synergy. Following an open exchange of experiences among all participants, the training concluded with final words and a blessing from Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello.