Father Benny Mekkat elected CFIC Superior General

The 34th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, underway in Rome since 11 July, fulfilled its main task on 26 July: the election of the Superior General and his Council. The 33 Brothers delegated to the Chapter, coming from all the jurisdictions in which the Congregation is divided, chose the Superior General in the person of Father Benny Mekkatt, until now Superior of the North American Delegation.

Father Benny, 46 years of age, was born in Kerala (India) on 12 November 1974. He is the first non-Italian Superior General of the CFIC. India is his jurisdiction of origin but for several years he has carried out pastoral work in Canada and the United States, his last residence before being elected Superior General.

The proclamation of the election of the new Superior General was made live through a connection with the zoom platform.

On the afternoon of the same 26 July, the Chapter proceeded to appoint the four General Councillors in the persons of Fr Giuseppe Pusceddu, 66, currently Superior of the Italian Province, Br Leandro Lobato, a 44-year-old Argentinean, currently Superior of the Latin American Province,P. Toussaint Tshingombe, a 51 year old Congolese, Professor of Canon Law at the Catholic University of Congo, and Br Ruggero Valentini, a 68 year old Italian. The Superior General also communicated the name of the Vicar General in the person of Fr Giuseppe Pusceddu.

The Council is called to collaborate with the Superior General in the governance of the Congregation and to assist him in carrying out his many demanding tasks.