Today, July 5, Superior General announced the Provincial Superiors (Visitors) gathered at St. John’s University, Jamaica, New York for the international meeting appointment of new Assistant General. Since September 15, Fr. Matthew Kallammakal, C.M., former Visitor of the Province of North India will replace Fr. Varghese Thottamkara, C.M., whom Pope Francis recently named coadjutor Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nekemte, Ethiopia.
According to the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Mission (cf.n.118.2), when an Assistant General ceases its mandate for some reason, a replacement shall be appointed by the Superior General with the deliberative vote of his Council. Fr. Varghese, who was Assistant General since July 2010 was appointed bishop on June 28. His ordination is scheduled in August , but nether the date nor place are known yet.
Fr. Matthew Kallammakal, C.M. was born November 5, 1959 in India. He entered Congregation of the Mission May 11, 1983 and took his vows exactly four years later. Ordained priest January 2, 1988. Next he graduated from DePaul University, Chicago, IL with doctorate in philosophy. After return to India he was involved in the parish ministry and seminary formation in the Province of North India of the Congregation. In 2004 he was elected a Visitor of northern province and held this position until February 2013. Currently he works as educator in the youth hostel sponsored by the Province and as a visiting lecturer (Philosophy) at local seminary.
Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M., noted in his announcement: “The news of Fr. Varghese’s appointment was bittersweet for all of us at the General Curia. We are sad to lose the advice, wise counsel, and presence of Fr. Varghese among us. However, his appointment as a bishop in Ethiopia, where he previously served as a missionary for ten years, is an affirmation of the wonderful work of our Vincentian confreres. I thank him for his dedication and leadership as an Assistant Superior General, and especially for all he has contributed in his thirty-one years of membership in the Congregation of the Mission. I welcome Fr. Matthew Kallamakal to the General Curia. He has shown himself to be a proven and respected leader in the Congregation, and I look forward to living and working with him.”
[cf. CMGlobal.org]
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