Provincial and Council

Begin Their Mandate

On February 17, 2005, the 179th anniversary of the papal approbation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a new Provincial and Provincial Council began their three-year mandate as leaders in the United States Province.

In a ceremony held at the "Oblate Chapel" dedicated to Our Lady of the Missions in the National Shrine Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, the new provincial, Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI, took the oath of office to become the second provincial of the United States Province.  He succeeds Fr. David Kalert, OMI.

Also taking office in Washington were the Vicar Provincial, Fr. William Morell, OMI, and the Personnel Director, Fr. William O'Donnell, OMI.

On hand to read the official proclamation of appointment of the new provincial and council was Fr. Marcel Dumais, OMI, the General Councilor for the Canada-U.S. Region.  Other special guests were the provincials of two Canadian provinces, Fr. Jean-Claude Gilbert, OMI, of Notre-Dame du Cap Province and Fr. André Boyer, OMI, of Lacombe Province.

The four Area Councilors and the two At-Large Councilors were present for Oblate gatherings in the six areas of the province: Fr. William Antone, OMI (Pacific); Fr. Thomas Ovalle, OMI (Southwest); Fr. Allen Maes, OMI (South Central/North Central; Fr. Richard Sudlik, OMI (Northeast/Southeast); Bro. William Johnson, OMI (At-Large); and Fr. Warren Brown, OMI (At-Large).

Fr. Joseph Hitpas, OMI, has been appointed Treasurer of the United States Province.

Besides the out-going provincial, other members of the previous administration were Oblate Fathers Charles Banks, David Ullrich, Richard Sudlik, Allen Maes, Salvatore DeGeorge, Jose Arong, Joseph Hitpas, and William O'Donnell.