Prosper Ngassa, cicm
Missionary in Mexico
A few years ago, finances were not among our major concerns in the province. Today, we are living the opposite. Here are the reasons: our growing subsistence and ad extra requests from year to year, and the declining contributions from parishes. The latter is due, among other things, to the decrease in the number of European confreres whose pensions, coming from their home country governments, were considered as a contribution to the province.
We can also observe that we are struggling to agree on mission priorities, considering our financial means. Finally, there are still discussions among us regarding the importance of the common good, even though it is the best means of ensuring our individual and collective protection, and of opening new opportunities. Hence the reflection of the moment: hasn’t the time come to change our habits, no matter the cost?
Since the novitiate, and supported by our CICM Constitution, our novice master constantly reminded us that everything we possess is in fact a gift from God. As a result, we are called to a humble and grateful management of our resources, knowing that they are not solely the fruit of our efforts, but the reflection of God's grace (cf. Deut. 8:18). Let us now coldly assess our situation:
1. MEXICO DISTRICT
Let us start with the Mexico District: Mexico is a financially self-sufficient district, due, in my opinion, to two mutually reinforcing factors: a simple lifestyle (all communities have part-time cooks to reduce expenses, for example), and solidarity among parishes in urgent needs (the parishes support each other without resorting to the province, even though they have the right to do so).
One of the decisions made at the district assembly was that each parish would contribute the equivalent of 102 USD per confrere per month to the province. So far, some parishes have not yet complied with this, even though the province needs it to deal with liquidity problems. It is worth recalling that financial means are not lacking, as seen in the financial reports of the parishes. Mexico contributed in USD: 5,908 in 2022, 4,674 in 2023, and 10,695 in 2024. What will its contribution be in 2025?
2. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DISTRICT
As for the Dominican Republic District, the Provincial Government (PG) has long emphasized the need for parishes to be self-financing and to contribute financially to the activities of the province. A great effort has been made, as we have moved from parishes dependent on provincial subsidies to self-sufficiency for the majority. This is to be commended.
Nevertheless, it is true that we are slowing down when it comes to contributing to the province, even though our financial reports show that we are capable. To be more specific, and especially with your permission, we went from contributing 2,938 USD in 2022 to 4,460 USD in 2023, and then only 556 USD in 2024. What could explain this slowdown—should I say this considerable decline?
3. BRAZIL DISTRICT
Speaking of the Brazil District, habits are starting to change, even though we are not yet at the ideal point with most confreres. Although the confreres agreed to the decision made at the assembly—which consists of giving a percentage of their salaries to the province—some have not yet adapted to it, despite the PG’s insistence.
Where does the problem come from? Lack of resources? Certainly not, since each confrere receives a fixed salary from the parish each month, depending on whether he is a pastor or vicar. There is no doubt that the Brazil District would help ease the liquidity problem if every confrere embraced this spirit of solidarity.
We can already observe that contributions were: 20,848 USD in 2022, 20,814 USD in 2023, and 20,686 USD in 2024. Don’t these figures reflect the reality that it is always the same confreres who contribute?
4. GUATEMALA DISTRICT
Let’s now look at the Guatemala District, where efforts are underway to achieve full and permanent self-financing of parishes, even though we encounter resistance here and there. One thing is visible among the confreres: a strong missionary concern and a commitment to support some key areas, including formation, construction, and celebrations.
However, can’t we do mission differently, taking our limitations into account? By "differently," I mean selecting our priorities, knowing that even the most beautiful woman in the world can only give what she has and cannot constantly go into debt to meet all her needs. Otherwise, she would live in permanent stress, to the point of taking her own life.
In light of the above, parish contributions remain a major challenge for the district: 1,447 USD in 2022, 526 USD in 2023, and 3,900 USD in 2024. The animation of the confreres remains the key element for there to be generosity and voluntary sharing of our resources with the province. Isn’t this what Saint Paul invites us to in 2 Corinthians 9:7 when he says, "God loves a cheerful giver"?
5. HAITI DISTRICT
The Haiti District is undoubtedly experiencing one of the most difficult moments in its history. This has led some confreres in the district to ask, “What have we done to deserve this?”
The province is making efforts to respond to the district's urgent needs, especially the confreres’ subsistence. The lack of liquidity means that we cannot always respond favorably to current requests, at the risk of not being able to cover subsistence—which remains a priority for the congregation.
When looking at the district’s financial reports, at least from 2022 to 2024, there is no indication of any contribution to the province. The reason would be the critical situation in the country. Life places trials in our paths, sometimes painful and difficult to overcome, but they also give us the opportunity to grow and learn.
We are not the owners of the district. We have only been entrusted with its stewardship. The Lord has placed His trust in us, hoping that we will use it wisely (Luke 16:1-8). Let us be united for this common cause.
To conclude, dear confreres, the financial administration of our province requires collective and responsible regulation. A recent letter from the General Treasurer already invites us to take precautions to avoid plunging the province into a major crisis, given the current political context of our world.
How will we achieve this? I currently see three suggestions, preceded by one prerequisite:
Prerequisite: Whatever gifts we receive and have at our disposal, we should recognize that we are not the owners, but rather stewards (Mt 25:14-30). If we consider ourselves the sole masters of goods, then it is easy to be accountable only to ourselves and to overlook our unfaithfulness and poor practices in managing material goods.
1. Increase our contributions to the province to partially address the liquidity problem. For this, knowing that our contributions are already established, we could, if we wish, set up a dedicated CICM mission fund in all our parishes.
2. Create a list with phone numbers of benefactors/sponsors of the CICM-LAC mission in each district. From these individuals, we could seek both spiritual and financial support for the benefit of the province.
3. Review our priorities according to our financial means. We cannot spend what we do not have. Some are demanding money for their PTA, projects, and others, without realizing that the province has used it as a subsidy because it was not able to respond positively to confreres’ requests.
Shall we continue this way? When and how will we repay the PTA and project funds of confreres that we used as subsidies?
United we stand.
