The International General Council held its annual plenary meeting in Cape Town (South Africa) from June 2 to 6, 2025.
The event included several working sessions: the Permanent Section (convened as the Board of Directors of the Confederation, in accordance with Article 5.1.2 of the Statutes), the Executive Committee, the Bureau of the General Council, and the meeting of Territorial Vice Presidents.
Address by the PGI
The warm welcome was given by South Africa’s National President, Vincent Williams, who during the gala dinner commented on several SSVP activities in South Africa, thanking those present for attending.
He then gave the floor to the President General, who congratulated the South African fellow members on their upcoming 170th anniversary, stating that it is through the joy of being Christian, and through our example of mutual love, that a healthy growth of the Conferences is achieved.
He also emphasized that in South Africa the 250 Conferences maintain a wide variety of social works, dedicated to educational support, nutrition programs, and the reconstruction of housing and shelters for children and elderly people, mainly in conflict zones. “A great work by our South African brothers and sisters, recognized in the eyes of God!”
He concluded his remarks by thanking the National Council of South Africa for this invitation, with the following words:
“Thank you for being magnificent hosts of this international gathering, especially to Brother President Vincent Williams, to Anne Dunne for her dedication, to my friend Peter Keshwar, and to all our South African fellow members for their contribution and ongoing support to the General Council; thanks also to the employees, and to all benefactors and friends of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in South Africa; thanks to the countries twinned with this one, thanks to all for your excellent work of evangelization. Before concluding, I would like to offer a special remembrance for our brother Clement Venter, who passed away less than a year ago — a good friend, a great Vincentian, and a strong advocate of Vincentian formation. My prayer for his soul. Thank you to all who have come from so far away.”
Before concluding, the PGI announced the upcoming All Africa Congress for 2027, to be held in an African country still to be determined.
Meeting of the Permanent Section
Convened as the Board of Directors of the Confederation, the agenda began — after prayers and a welcome — with various reports from the Secretariat, presented by the Executive Director in the absence of our brother Secretary Antonio Gianfico due to illness. It was noted that in 2024, 284 Conferences were aggregated (compared to 153 in 2023) in 20 countries and 13 new Councils were instituted (10 in 2023). It was also reported that the digitalization of the aggregation system is nearing completion. In addition, it was noted that in 2024, the PGI awarded the Charity in Hope Medal to the Lions Clubs International. The Ozanam Space, located at the headquarters in Paris, was visited by around 150 Vincentians.
The treasury report was thoroughly presented by our brother Alfons Ten Velde, including among other documents, the external audit of the 2024 annual accounts — with no reservations or exceptions — which closed with a surplus of €174,000, and the budget for 2025, which was approved and recommended for adoption by the IEC.
Other Reports.
The Formation Report, by Luz María Ramírez, detailed the activities planned for 2025. Luz María shared the conclusions from the international meeting in Madrid of Formation delegates, where the current situation of each region was analyzed, and improvements for future training were proposed.
The Youth Report, presented by Juliana Da Silva, focused on the initiative to promote exchanges and discussed the preparations underway for the upcoming Vincentian Youth Gathering in Rome during the Jubilee for Youth, from July 28 to August 3, 2025. She also mentioned the National Forum of Vincentian Youth, held in Brazil from September 27 to 29 of the previous year, which was attended by the PGI.
The Communication Report, authored by María Luisa Téllez, was presented by Isabel Garzo, Executive Assistant to the PGI. She reported on the new international website, which is more functional, more open to the public, easier to navigate, and with content distribution more aligned with the reality of the Confederation.
International Logo.
The new logo of the International Global Foundation was also presented by the Executive Assistant, who explained the symbols and their meanings. The logo, which was very well received, was approved unanimously for official registration.
The Structure and Special Projects report was presented by Vice President Julio Marques de Lima, who mainly explained and detailed the tasks of the territorial vice presidents and the conclusions of various meetings, including the most recent one in Paris last February.
Sebastián Gramajo presented the report on the canonization of Frédéric Ozanam, stating that some medical reports are still pending and also mentioning a new case presented by Brazil.
Lastly, information was shared regarding the International Solidarity Fund and aggregations, among other topics.
Climate Change and Poverty
The 3rd Vice President, Urbanus Muthai, emphasized the deep connection between climate change and poverty, highlighting that environmental degradation tends to affect the poorest the most. He noted that in Africa in particular, communities regularly face environmental challenges such as droughts, floods, and deforestation, driven by poverty and lack of education.
Referring to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, he stressed the Church’s call to care for creation and uphold social justice.
Urbanus urged the CGI to adapt by supporting local climate initiatives and advocating in global forums such as the COP (Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).
He concluded by calling for a clear sustainability policy to access funding and demonstrate the SSVP’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Meeting of Territorial Vice Presidents (VPTIs)
Our fellow member Julio César Marques de Lima, International Vice President for Structure and Special Projects, opened the meeting of International Territorial Vice Presidents. The session addressed the challenges and solutions that countries face not only in responding to new forms of poverty but also in governance, leadership, and improving management. The meeting concluded with group discussions. Additionally, a manual was presented to assist vice presidencies in their work.
Concordat Meeting
The Concordat countries met to explore new ways to fund the General Council. A brief document will be produced to explain what the CGI is, its functions, and the work done at the Paris office, with the aim of raising awareness that the CGI belongs to all.
International Executive Committee
After the Vincentian prayers, a spiritual reflection by Father Orozco, CM, was read. It focused on the international program “Growing Together in Faith,” which aims to train Vincentians to deepen their faith, live as committed disciples of Jesus Christ, and contribute to building the Kingdom of God on earth. All reflections are posted on the international website.
The 2024 Moral Report was presented in accordance with Article 3.2.1 of the Statutes, offering a favorable opinion with no observations. The Treasurer also presented the audited 2024 accounts and the 2025 budget, which were unanimously approved, along with the management of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
An Operational Report was presented by the Executive Director on behalf of the Secretary General, reiterating and expanding on some of the data shared during the Permanent Section meeting. A preliminary report on the amendment of the Statutes, prepared by Ralph Middelcamp and Elaine Heyworth, was also included, to be submitted at the next General Assembly in June 2026 in Lisbon. The report mainly addresses issues of transparency, the validity of IEC decisions, and voting rights of countries in the General Assembly.
The safeguarding group report, led by Elaine Heyworth, was also discussed, with guidelines to be applied during the upcoming Youth Jubilee in Rome from July 28 to August 4. The Development Aid and Twinning Commissions, led by Arthur Schultz, presented their annual reports: in 2024, CIAD allocated €1.484 million and Twinning activities reached €2.670 million.
CIAD Appeal
An annual appeal was issued to all countries of the International Development Aid Commission (CIAD) to raise emergency funds and financial assistance for development projects. The Twinning Report was also presented, indicating support for social initiatives in 88 countries, with a combined allocation of €3 million. The new 2025 Strategy was also introduced.
The “Charity in Hope” Medal, at the initiative of the National Council of Italy, was awarded to Lions Clubs International.
Interventions
– The President of France, Serge Castillon, together with the Executive Director, explained the important work carried out by our French brothers and sisters, especially home visits and social assistance. He also spoke about the Ozanam Foundation, created by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in 2016. Its areas of social action include extreme loneliness, material and moral indigence, and precariousness. It is a foundation under the auspices of the Saint Irénée Foundation. Serge expressed his satisfaction with the development of the meeting and made himself available for any matter where France could contribute.
– The President of Brazil, Márcio José da Silva, together with Willian Alves, described the development and support being provided to the National Councils of most neighboring countries, and VPTI Sebastião Ribeiro also shared updates on activities in South America. Through two informative videos, they emphasized the importance of the Annual Pilgrimage and the Vincentian Youth Gathering in Sumaré (São Paulo). They also highlighted the significance of Brazil hosting the presentation of the 2024 International Report in Rio de Janeiro during the weekend of November 15.
– The President of Germany, Winfried Hupe, also spoke about the SSVP in Germany and expressed gratitude for the Board’s visit at the end of last year.
– VPTI Maurice Yeung discussed the recent meeting in Hong Kong with the International Vincentian Family and the major issues facing Catholic organizations in that part of the world, which are increasingly diminishing.
– Lucy Cher, President of the SSVP in Singapore, also spoke about the planned Board meeting to be held there in mid-October.
– From Africa, several interventions were made, including by our brother Ilidio Manhique, VPTI, who described the challenges present in several countries. Our brother Francis Amole, President of Nigeria, mentioned the recent visit made on behalf of the PGI to Nigeria by Executive Director Paulo Cavalieri and our brother Peter Keshwar. He also highlighted the visit to Kenya on behalf of the PGI by our brother John Berry, President of the USA, and Paulo Cavalieri, Executive Director, organized by Urbanus Muthai, 3rd Deputy Vice President General. Together with Sister Josephine HC, they successfully resolved several management issues related to SSVP properties in Kenya.
– Osvaldo Hidalgo, President of Paraguay, also spoke, congratulating the attendees for the atmosphere created during the meeting and about the growth of the Conferences in Paraguay, especially thanking Brazil for its support.
– VPTI Frank Brasil of New Zealand spoke about new initiatives being developed that could be extended to other areas of the Confederation, particularly regarding modernization and management in the Oceania region. A three-year budget proposal has been requested for this.
– The Commission for the International Foundation, led by our brother John Berry, President of the USA, and composed of five members appointed by the PGI — Mark Gaetani, President of Australia; Alfons Ten Velde, General Treasurer; Sebastián Gramajo, First Vice President; Urbanus Kinutia, Third Vice President; and Lucy Cher, Territorial Vice President — gave an update on the ongoing work to establish the foundation and the possibility of basing it in Switzerland.
– Finally, our brother John Berry, together with Ralph Middelcamp, presented, courtesy of the USA Council, the Letters of Ozanam translated into English.
Meeting of the Bureau of the General Council
Following the customary prayers, the agenda began, including the establishment of the Global Foundation and the drafting of its statutes. It was reported that, thanks to a management initiative by the PGI, Baker McKenzie is assisting us in this initial phase on a pro bono basis, i.e., at no cost to the SSVP. The initiative from Oceania to modernize management and digital processes throughout the region was discussed as a potential model; a budget study for its implementation was approved.
The PGI emphasized the need to train Vincentian leaders — especially presidents — not only in spirituality but also in legal, financial, and structural knowledge of the SSVP. The Statutes Commission took note of this proposal to enhance its value.
To conclude, the Deputy Vice President for the Strategic Plan, Mark Gaetani, presented two versions of the vision, mission, and values to be reviewed by the CGI.
It was also unanimously approved that the office on Rue de la Glacière is for the exclusive use of the CGI and may not be used for any other purpose, nor by any public or private institution, nor by any national or local Council or Conference. The office contains confidential documents of ordinary management, as well as historical items and records under the custody of the CGI. The Ozanam museum space is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
International Meetings
The following events were announced:
– the III Vincentian Youth Meeting from July 28 to August 4;
– the Board in Singapore from October 13 to 16;
– the next Ibero-American Meeting in Panama from October 30 to November 2;
– the Vincentian International Day 2025 with the presentation of the 2024 International Report, from November 13 to 16 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil);
– and the next General Assembly in June 2026, with Lisbon (Portugal) as a candidate city.
The PGI also announced the 2027 All Africa gathering, with the host country yet to be determined.
This meeting was marked by friendship, harmony, and spirituality, thanks to the efforts of all participants to make it possible, showing that we are united in fraternal love and in the Vincentian spirit.
The event concluded with a folk performance by a local group and a closing dinner with live music.
The CGI once again expresses its gratitude for the hospitality, affection, and excellent treatment received from our South African fellow members, along with perfect organization. A visit that will remain in our memories for a long time.