The members of the Africa Regional Commission (CREA) held their very first in-person meeting since the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic on 27 and 28 April 2023 at the African Province of Saint Richard Pampuri Provincial Curia, Maison Saint Jean de Dieu, in Cotonou (BENIN). Chaired by Brother Pascal AHODEGNON, General Councillor, it also marked the 10th anniversary of this commission that had been set up to coordinate the mission of the Brothers of the African Provinces.

During these two days' work, the main agenda items dealt with the life and activities in the two Provinces, namely the African Province of Saint Augustine and the African Province of Saint Richard Pampuri, and in particular with regard to information on the sub-commissions, the formation of the Brothers (the functioning and the financing of the formation centres).

In addition, the participants discussed the future of the Order in the Region (Africa), the planning of the General Canonical Visitation to both entities and finally the organisation of the Africa Region Conference next October (4-6) in preparation for the General Chapter. The conference will take place at the Saint John of God Hospital in Afagnan, which will host the closing of the General Canonical Visitation of the African Province of Saint Augustine on 2 and 3 October 2023. 

These two days of work culminated in the following conclusions:

1. The Conference is to be attended by 34 Brothers and Co-workers from all the houses and centres in Africa;

2. An organising committee for the Conference was appointed, composed of Brothers Abraham ADAVON, Victor ALOUADJOU, Bernard KOUDAHE, Jacob KETCHEN and Terrence TITA;

3. Brother Cosme HAMAOUZO was appointed to head the Bioethics Sub- Commission to replace Brother Hugues ASSOU;

4. The Formation Sub-Commission was urged to complete the drafting of the Brothers' Formation Manual before the General Chapter convened in October 2024;

5. The project for the extension of the Agoè-Nyivé Interprovincial Novitiate was also approved.