RMG – The General Council is complete: Regional Councilors elected

13 March 2020

(ANS - Rome) - The 28th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation has now also elected the seven new regional Councilors. In this way, the work team supporting the Rector Major for the 2020-2026 six-year term is complete.

For the Africa-Madagascar region, Fr Alphonse Owoudou was elected, until now Superior of the Equatorial Tropical Africa Vice Province (ATE). Fr Owoudou was born in Ebolowa (Cameroon) on April 30, 1969; he carried out his novitiate in Lomé (Togo) between 1989 and 1990; he made his perpetual vows on 9 August 1997 in Yaoundé (Cameroon), where he was ordained a priest on 11 July 1999. He was Dean of the Post-Novitiate of Lomé (2011-2015) and Dean of the Salesian institute of Yaoundé. He obtained a Doctorate in Psychology from the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome.

Elected for the America South Cone region was Fr Gabriel Romero, until now Provincial of North Argentina (ARN). Fr Gabriel Romero was born on 10 September 1971 in San Miguel de Tucumán (Argentina). He attended the novitiate in La Plata, professing as a Salesian on January 31, 1991. His perpetual profession was made on 5 October 1996 and he received his priestly ordination in Cordoba on December 11, 1999. He is a professor of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, specializing in Youth Ministry. He also participated in the 27th General Chapter.

For the South Asia region, the Capitulars have appointed Fr Michael Biju, until now Councilor of the Province of India-Guwahati. Fr Biju was born on 20 May 1970 in Idukki (India), attended the novitiate in Shillong, making his first vows on March 20, 1988; he made his perpetual vows on May 24, 1996, also in Shillong, and was ordained a priest on 30 July 2000 in Moolamattam. He holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology and a Master in Bioethics. From 2011 to 2017, he was the Dean of the Salesian Theological Studentate "Ratisbonne" in Jerusalem.

For the East Asia region, Fr Giuseppe Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, currently serving at the Mission Department, was elected. Born on 2 November 1955 in Quang Ngai (Vietnam), he carried out his novitiate in Tram Hanh, concluded with his first profession on August 15, 1974. He made his perpetual vows in Dalat on 15 August 1980 and was ordained a priest on 9 September 1995 in Fountain Valley (USA). For his home Province, he was Councilor and Delegate for Formation.

For the Central and Northern Europe region, Fr Roman Jachimowicz was elected; until now he held the position of Provincial of the Province of Poland-Piła (PLN). Fr Jachimowicz was born on 13 November 1967 in Gorzów Wlkp (Poland), carried out his novitiate in Swobnica, made his first profession on 22 August 1987 and perpetual profession on July 31, 1993, in Rumia; he was ordained a priest on 25 May 1995 in Lad. He was also Delegate for the Past Pupils for the "St. Adalbert" Province of Poland.He also speaks German and Russian.

For the Interamerica region, the new Councilor is Fr Hugo Orozco Sánchez, who until today was Provincial of Mexico-Guadalajara. Born on June 30, 1968, in San Luis de Potosí (Mexico), he carried out his novitiate in Chula-Vista, made his first vows on 16 August 1989 in Tlaquepaque and perpetual ones on 10 September 1995, always in Tlaquepaque. He received priestly ordination in San Pedro de Tlaquepaque on 15 March 1997. Before being appointed Provincial, he had also served as Delegate for Youth Ministry and Formation for the MEG Province.

Finally, for the Mediterranean region, Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, outgoing Superior of the Salesian Province of Spain-St James Major (SSM) was chosen to replace Fr Stefano Martoglio, elected Vicar of the Rector Major. Fr Pérez Godoy was born on 5 November 1959 in Burguillos, made his first religious profession on September 8, 1978, perpetual profession on 15 August 1984 and was ordained a priest on June 5, 1987. Before serving the SSM Province, in the old Province of Seville, he was Delegate of Youth Ministry, Vicar, and Provincial. Graduated in Ecclesiastical Sciences, he has a Diploma in Magisterium and Catechetics and in Youth Ministry.

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