General Chapter of the Brothers of Mercy
The 33rd General Chapter of the Brothers of Mercy began on 14 July 2024 and ended on 3 August 2024 in Ariccia (Rome). The title of this Chapter was: 'Witnesses of Mercy'.
During the first week the Capitulants met with the Delegates of Lay Co-workers from the various countries in which the Brothers of Mercy operate. In the following two weeks they discussed the organisation of the Congregation and collaboration with the laity.
At the end of the Chapter, on 1 August 2024, the new Superior General was elected: Brother Christian Delvigne, Belgian by birth, who took the place of Brother Marco Albani who will continue to serve the Congregation as Assistant and Vicar General.
Br. Christian Delvigne was born on 4 October 1938 in Etterbeek, Brussels, and was baptised on 5 November 1938 in Laeken. He began his religious journey by entering the postulancy on 7 September 1955 and the novitiate on 7 March 1956, taking his first vows on 17 March 1957. Between 1957 and 1961, he studied economics and languages, preparing himself for a commitment in education and management. He took his perpetual vows on 21st July 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he carried out his mission in Burundi, and on his return taught at the Saint-Eloi Institute in Antwerp until 1968. Subsequently, he directed the Higher Economic Institute in Antwerp for 27 years. From 1995 to 1999, he was Director of Logistics at the Higher Institute 'Karel de Grote'. He was Assistant to the Superior General, Provincial in Belgium (Flanders) from 1988 to 2024 and General Bursar of the Congregation.
During the Chapter, the new General Council was also elected, which is composed as follows
- Br Marco ALBANI (Italy), Assistant and Vicar General
- Br Paolo BAROLO (Italy), Assistant
- Br Andrea BONFANTI (Italy), general secretary
- Br Désiré NININAHAZWE (Burundi), general bursar
