Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
SMA
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The General Assembly of the Society for African Missions SMA has elected its new Superior General, who will guide the international institute for the next 6 years. For the first time he is an Italian: Father Antonio Porcellato.
After a long period in Africa, where he assumes positions of responsibility in the new African Province of SMA, residing in Benin, Nigeria and Togo, Father Antonio returns to Genoa in 2007, elected Vice-Provincial for Italy. In 2013 he became Vicar General of SMA, resided in Rome until a few days ago when the General Chapter chose him as the 15th Superior General in the history of the Institute.
Immediately after his priestly ordination, which took place in his native parish of Poggiana di Riese Pio X on 28/6/1980, the newly elected Superior General had a mission experience in the Ivory Coast, obtained a License in Pastoral Theology first at the ICAO in Abidjan, and then worked in the parish of San Pedro until 1985.
"The General Assembly (this is how the Chapter is called) - continues Father Prada - meets every 6 years, and has the task of 'guarding the spiritual patrimony of our Institute, assessing its life and its work to renew its energies in pursuing its mission, planning the future', as the Constitutions say. This year it is made up of 43 delegates from various countries on 4 different continents".
The Chapter Fathers gathered in Rome from April 30 to May 24 are discussing the theme: "A family faithful to its missionary charism in today's complex and changing context". "It is an opportunity to renew and strengthen the spirit of internationality that has characterized SMA right from the beginning", concludes Fr. Marco. (MP/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2019)
SMA
