Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Father Richard Baawobr, born in Nandom-Lawra, Ghana, was elected Superior General of the Society of Missionaries of Africa at the institute's 27th General Chapter in Rome (see Fides 4/5/2010). According to a statement sent to Fides from the General Curia, Fr. Richard Baawobr, who served as First Assistant General in the previous governing council, was elected on May 31. The Society of the Missionaries of Africa, known as the White Fathers, as of January 1, 2010, numbered 1,541 members from 37 countries on five continents. Currently, the White Fathers are working in 21 African countries, which remain their priority. They are at the service of African migrants in Europe and America.
The new Superior General, Fr. Richard Baawobr, was born on the June 21, 1959. He joined the Society of Missionaries of Africa, making his noviciate at Fribourg in 1981-1982. He was then sent to Totteridge, London, for theology. He took his Missionary Oath on the 5th December 1986 and was ordained to the priesthood at Ko, Ghana, on the 18th July 1987. His first appointment in Africa was to Livulu, Kinshasa diocese, Congo. He stayed there for four years. He then went to Rome for Scripture studies (4 years), then to Châtelard, Lyons, France, for training in Ignatian spirituality. He was appointed as a member of the team of the Kahangala Spiritual Year, Tanzania (1996-1999).In 1998, Father Baawobr participated in the General Chapter as delegate for Tanzania. In October 1999, he was in charge of M.Afr. students doing theology in Toulouse. He took a Sabbatical in 2002-2003 to continue work on his doctorate in Holy Scripture (which he successfully obtained in November 2004). He came to the 2004 Chapter as delegate of the French Province and he was elected 1st Assistant General (2004-2010) he has been elected Superior General on the 31st May 2010 (2010-2016). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/6/2010)
