Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides) - The 26th General Chapter of the Society of Missionaries of Africa known as the White Fathers, which opened on 10 May at the General House in Roma, has elected as Superior general of the Society French Father Gèrard Chabanon, aged 56. The new Superior general, who will guide the Community for the next six months (2004-2010), was born in Vals-prés-Le-Puy, Upper Loire (France). He did his Novitiate in Fribourg (Switzerland), studied theology at Totteridge, and was ordained a priest in Puy (France) on 27 June 1976. He was on mission in Tanzania for 20 years (1976-1996), as assistant priest, then parish priest, assistant to Regional Superior and then Regional Superior. A Member of the formation team for missionary candidates in London for two years, in 1998 he was elected Provincial Superior for France and as such he is taking part in the general Chapter.
Established in Algeria in 1868, today there are 1,000 White Fathers working in 22 different countries in Africa, and 18 in America, Europe and Asia. The general Chapter is attended by 60 religious of 18 nationalities. Of these 14 are Africans from 6 different countries. The 60 participants all have experience of mission in Africa. The Chapter is expected to complete its work by June 15. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2004; Righe 14; Parole 197).
