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OBLATES MEET

IN GENERAL CHAPTER

  
 

 

MORE CHAPTER NEWS AT THE CONGREGATION'S OFFICIAL WEB SITE: www.omiworld.org

  
 

PHOTOS FROM OUR ROMAN CORRESPONDENTS (NEW on 09/16/04)

PHOTOS FROM OUR ROMAN CORRESPONDENTS (Updated 09/17/04)

  
     
 

THE SUPERIOR GENERAL AND THE GENERAL COUNCIL

SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

 

SUPERIOR GENERAL: Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI (second term)

VICAR GENERAL: Fr. Eugene King, OMI (second term)

FIRST ASSISTANT GENERAL: Fr. Oswald Firth, OMI (first term)

SECOND ASSISTANT GENERAL: Fr. Paolo Archiati, OMI (first term)

GENERAL COUNCILORS

AFRICA-MADAGASCAR: Fr. Jean-Bosco Musumbi, OMI (second term)

LATIN AMERICA: Fr. Loudeger Mazile, OMI (second term)

ASIA-OCEANIA: Fr. Federico Labaglay, OMI (first term)

CANADA-UNITED STATES: Fr. Marcel Dumais, OMI (first term)

EUROPE: Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois, OMI (first term)

 

  
     
 

 

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have begun a very important experience of communal discernment on August 30, 2004, in Rome.  The 34th General Chapter of the Oblates was called to order by Father Wilhelm Steckling, OMI, the Superior General. There are 96 Oblate priests and brothers from all over the world participating in this historic meeting whose purpose is given in the Oblate Constitutions and Rules:

 

  
 

 

"The General Chapter is the highest authority of the Congregation. It meets regularly to strengthen the bonds of unity and to express the members’ participation in the life and mission of the Congregation. United around Christ, the Oblate family shares the lived experience of its communities as well as the challenges and hopes of its ministry. The Chapter is a privileged time of community reflection and conversion. Together, in union with the Church, we discern God’s will in the face of urgent needs of our times. We also reflect, cherish, and thank the Lord for the work of salvation which he accomplishes through us” – Cons. 125.

 

“The General Chapter elects the Superior General and his Council, articulates our missionary vision, determines general policy for the Congregation, and makes whatever decisions are required. If need be, it also makes changes in the Rules and proposes to the Holy See modifications in the Constitutions” – Cons. 126.

 

  
 

 

The U.S. Provincial, Fr. David Kalert, OMI, is an "ex officio" member of the Chapter.  The province members have elected four other delegates who have joined the provincial in Rome.

 

  
 

 
 

Fr. David Kalert, OMI

Fr. Warren Brown, OMI

Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI

Bro. Patrick McGee, OMI

Fr. William Morell, OMI

  
       

 

 

Fr. Robert Moosbrugger, OMI, Provincial Treasurer, is also a member of the Chapter, since he is one of four Oblates who received a special invitation from the Superior General.

 

Serving as one of the Moderators of the Chapter is Fr. Salvatore DeGeorge, OMI, who also served on the Pre-Capitular Commission.

 
     
  A number of other members of United States Province are at the Chapter as Auxiliary Personnel, serving as secretaries, typists, photocopiers, and translators: Oblate Fathers Thomas Ovalle, John Castro, Alejandro Roque, Andrew Knop, and Edward de Leon.  Scholastic Bro. Tony Ortiz, OMI, a student at the International Scholasticate, is also helping with various errands. 

Other Oblates originally from the U.S. are at the Chapter, as members of the General Administration, as Auxiliary Personnel, or representing their respective missions in other lands:

  
 

 

CAPITULANTS:

Fr. Thomas Singer, OMI, General Councilor for the U.S. Region [Rome]

Fr. Clyde Rausch, OMI, General Councilor for Europe (formerly in Sweden) [Rome]

Fr. Rufus Whitley, OMI, General Treasurer [Rome]

Fr. Roger Hallée, OMI, Delegate for Haïti, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, and Guyana [Colombia]

Fr. Roberto Durette, OMI, Delegate for Brazil and Bolivia [Bolivia]

Fr. Angelo Siani, OMI, Delegate for Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Korea [Japan]

 

AUXILIARY PERSONNEL:

Fr. Thomas Coughlin, OMI, General Secretary and Chapter Secretary [Rome]

Fr. Leo Guilmette, OMI, Translations, etc. [Paraguay]

Fr. Ron LaFramboise, OMI, General Coordination of the Information Services [Rome, formerly in Japan]

Fr. Raymond Marquis, OMI, Translations, etc. [Haiti]

Fr. Donald McMahon, OMI, General Coordination of Hospitality [Professor in Rome]