#576

DON PASCUAL CHAVEZ IS ELECTED RECTOR MAJOR ON THE FIRST BALLOT

(ANS Rome, 3 April 2002) "I accept the decision of the assembly as the expression of the will of God, and as I responded at my first profession, I want to continue to say Yes."

With these words, don Pascuál Chávez Villanueva responded to the question offered him by the president of GC25, don Luc Van Looy, who asked if he would
accept the responsibility proposed to him by a large majority of the chapter delegates. All this took place at 5:00 in the evening after the first and only ballot was completed in the great hall of the Salesianum. The vote began at 4:39, and the entire process of voting and counting took just over 20 minutes.

As soon as the announcement was made official, the assembly broke into a long applause. They repeated the applause once they heard Fr Chavez give his "yes."

Don Pascuál Chávez is the 9th successor of Don Bosco. A native of Mexico, his latest responsibility in the Salesian congregation has been that of regional
Councilor for the Interamerican region. Doctor in Biblical Theology, he has been responsible for formation for a number of years, and as superior of the Mexican province of Guadalajara he strategically strengthened and relaunched the work of the Salesians in his own country, especially through oratories, volunteer communities and youth work on the nation’s borders with the USA.

After don Chávez accepted his election to the highest responsibility in the congregation, the chapter delegates and the Salesians of the Generalate surrounded him, to congratulate and offer their wholehearted support to the Successor of Don Bosco.