Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The 35th General Chapter of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), being held in Rome (see Fides 07/09/2010), has elected Superior General Fr. Lougen Louis, age 58, currently Provincial Superior of the Oblate Province of the United States of America. Fr. Lougen, who succeeds Fr. William Steckling, who led the Oblates for 12 years, was elected on the first ballot, September 28, as the 13th Superior General of the congregation founded by St. Eugene de Mazenod, which has over 4,000 members in 66 countries. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1952, Fr. Lougen entered the Oblates in 1970. He made his first profession in 1973, then earned a BA in philosophy and a Master's Degree in theology. He made his perpetual vows in 1976 and was ordained a deacon in 1978. He spent six months in Brazil. After his priestly ordination, held in Washington in 1979, he returned to Brazil where he served in various parishes and in the area of education. He continued in these positions upon his return to the U.S. in 1996. In 2005, he was elected Provincial Superior of the Oblate Province in the USA. Fr. Lougen has a thorough knowledge of the situation of the congregation from an international and intercultural perspective. In his 17 years on the mission in Brazil, he has experienced the struggle against poverty. As Provincial Superior in the United States, has often visited the delegation of the province in Zambia. He has preached retreats in Asia and is committed in particular to the Oblate vocations. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2010)
