Rome (Fides Service) – The 16th general chapter of the Comboni Missionaries elected this morning Father Teresino Serra new Superior General of the Institute. Father Serra was presently Vice-Provincial for Italy. Born in 1947 at Berchidda, Ozieri diocese, in Sardinia, Teresino was ordained a priest in 1973. He studied in the United States and in Rome. He has worked on mission in the United States 1973-1978; Kenya 1978-1983, and Mexico 1983-1987. In 1998 he returned to Italy and took charge of the information sector. The General Chapter on the theme “The Comboni Mission at the beginning of the Third Millennium” began its work on 1 September. Founded in 1867 by Blessed Daniele Comboni 1831-1881 who will be canonised by Pope John Paul II on 5 October, the Comboni Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, MCCI, are today 1,823, present in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America. SL (Fides Service 26/9/2003 EM lines 10 Words: 143)