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. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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