On February 6, 2017, at the Generalate in Rome, the special preparatory commission for the next General Conference, that will be held in Manila in July 2018, started its works. The commission headed by Carlos Enrique Caamaño Martin, SCJ, the vicar general, is composed of five members: Fr. John Karl Cabaluna SCJ (PHI), Fr. Grzegorz Piątek SCJ (POL), Fr. Carlos Lobo SCJ (MOZ), Fr. Quang Nguyen SCJ (USA) i Fr. Joao Carlos Paschoalim SCJ (BSP).

One of the most important objectives of this meeting is to come out a concrete theme for the General Conference. The theme will be based on the conclusions of the XXIII General Chapter, the Programmatic Letter of the General Administration, and discussions that took place during the Major Superiors Meeting last year.

The commission will conclude its first meeting on February 10, 2016.