GLT Accompaniment: Spain

Fifteen members of the Spanish Province gathered in Valladolid for their Provincial Chapter from 10th – 12th February 2026 accompanied by Carl Tranter MSC from the General Council. The Chapter had been prepared by an Assembly of the Province in June of 2025 and it continued the reflection and discernment of that Assembly in the style of synodality and communal wisdom. Although the Province, like all the Provinces in Europe, is both ageing and diminishing, there is still a strong sense of hope and mission.

Over the last year, despite the disengagement from the Province’s two Colleges (Barcelona and Pontevedra) there has been a renewed and serious engagement in mission to young adults and vocational promotion, and that in a national context of a growth in vocations to religious life and priesthood especially among immigrant communities. With joy and renewed hope, having recently celebrated the final profession and ordination to the diaconate of Gianluca Pitzolu MSC and the first profession of Joelin Rodríguez Delgado MSC, the Chapter committed to continue this creative and strong vocational outreach.

The chapter also recommended continuing to grow in a synodal style of communal life, to accompany more deeply those lay persons who walk with us, to strengthen the living and witnessing of our MSC charism and spirit, and to consider the possibility of new inter-provincial collaborative mission projects. A significant theme was continuing the journey of discerning the future of the Spanish Province, begun in last year’s Assembly, a future that is being faced with both realism and hope.

As Fr Paco Blanco MSC came to the end of his second term of 9 years as Provincial, the Chapter elected Fr Willy Mendez MSC of the Province of Central America and Mexico as the new Provincial for a first term of three years. Willy has been living and ministering in Spain for many years and has been the superior of the Barcelona Community and member of the outgoing Provincial Council. We thank Paco most sincerely for his generous and wholehearted service to the Province and the Society over many years and offer Willy and his new Council our heartfelt congratulations and support for the years ahead.

Carl Tranter, MSC. Irish Province