1901 AET Superior from EAO
austraLasia #1901

From Negros Occidental to Ethiopia-Eritrea, and now 'the boss'!

ROME: 12th July 2007 -- The Rector Major, with the consent of his Council, has appointed a new Superior of the Vice Province of Ethiopia-Eritrea (AET) and it happens to be a contribution from EAO!  However, truth is that it has been a long-standing contribution to AET in the person of Fr Genaro Gegantoni, who first arrived in Ethiopia in 1984.
    Fr Gegantoni was born on 27th February 1945, which makes him 62 years of age.  He did his novitiate in Mabalacat-Pampanga in 1962 and was professed at the end of May 1963.  He was ordained priest in 1973.  Three years later he was Rector of Cebu's Don Bosco Technology Centre - Boys Town.
    Interestingly enough, after leaving for Makallé (Ethiopia) in 1984 where he was appointed novice master, a role he carried out over three separate stints, two of them at Adigrat in Ethiopia, he returned home for a break and was asked to take up again as Rector at Cebu's Boys Town!  He obliged for four years, then returned to his beloved mission, this time to Eritrea.
    Readers would know that the political situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea has not been a good one, making the management of the Vice Province which incorporates these two sides of the political divide, not an easy task.  Still and all it has been carried out magnificently by Fr Alfredo Roca, who has led the Vice Province since its inception 9 years ago. At 73 and after such a long term of office he has asked to be allowed to relinquish the reins.
    Fr Gergantoni was seen as an excellent choice for many good reason - long experienced in the mission, has spent time in both Ethiopia (north and south of the country) and Eritrea, has been novice master to a good number of the local Salesians, so is seen very much as a 'bridge' builder.
    He takes up office on 1st September.

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