The four councilors were also elected: Fr. Fabio Motta, from the mission in Guinea Bissau; Fr. Xavier Lourdh, from the mission in Japan; Brother Massimo Cattaneo, from the Bangladesh mission; Fr. Raffaele Manenti, a former missionary in India and Thailand, up until now the spiritual director in the PIME theological seminary.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Fr. Ferruccio Brambillasca was re-elected PIME Superior General for a second term today, the feast day of St. Matthias Apostle.
Voting for the new superior took place this morning at the International Center for Mission Animation, where the XV General Assembly of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions is taking place.
Fr. Brambillasca, born in Monza (MB), on 11 June 1964, was elected for the first time as superior general in 2013. From 1998 to 2013 he was a missionary in Japan, where he also served as regional superior .
A graduate in dogmatic theology in Naples, he has been a priest for 30 years. He spent some years as a formator in Italy, at Ducenta (1989-1993) and in India as a Formator in the Pune seminar.
The PIME general secretariat, giving the news of the election, asks "God's paternal blessing on him and on our whole family of apostles".
The elections for the councilors were also concluded by the end of the morning.
Fr. Fabio Motta, 42, born in Treviglio (Milan), ordained in 2004 has been elected first councilor and vicar general. He spent a few years in missionary animation in Italy before travelling to Guinea Bissau on mission in 2009.
The second counselor is Fr. Xavier Lourdh, 46, born in Kazipet (Andhra Pradesh), ordained in 2003; he worked for many years in India. In 2013 he was assigned to the Japanese mission, in Takahata (Tokyo).
The third councilor elected is Brother Massimo Cattaneo, 58, born in Saronno (Milan). Immediately swearing his oath to the institute, in 2004 he was sent on mission to Bangladesh.
The fourth councilor is Fr. Raffaele Manenti, the oldest of the group, as he is 62 years of age and has 37 years of priesthood. He carried out his mission in Italy (1982-1986), in India (1998-2005), and long periods in Thailand (1987-1998; 2005-2016). For the last three years he has been spiritual director of the PIME theological seminary.
In the picture, from left: Fr. Lourdh, Fr. Manenti, Fr. Brambillasca, Fr. Motta, Br. Cattaneo.