ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
This painting represents the turmoil experienced during a time of crisis. Typhoon is a symbol of anxiety, chaos, destruction and struggle. However, once those trial moments are surmounted, the inner energy of the typhoon brings transformation, putting life in order and strengthening one’s spirit. Emotional typhoon seems to tear life apart when it hits. One can’t turn away from it, but once it is over, it brings new potential; visions become clear and one sees brighter days ahead.
PAINTING BY FR RAUL TABARANZA MCCJ
RADAR
NEW COMBONI GENERAL COUNCIL (2022-2028)
The 19th General Chapter of the Comboni Missionaries, held in Rome last June, has re-elected Fr Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, as Superior General of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, for the next sexennium, 2022-28. The Chapter delegates also elected his four assistants to join him as members of the General Council.
Fr Tesfaye was born in Harar, Ethiopia, on 22 September 1969. He was ordained a priest on 26 August 1995. After his theological studies in Rome, he learnt Arabic in Egypt and worked in Sudan from 1997 to the year 2000. The following year he obtained his licence in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic Studies in Rome.
He then returned to his home country, where he performed various pastoral services including vocation promotion and formation from 2002 to 2003. He was elected provincial superior in 2005, a service which he rendered until 2009.
At the 17th General Chapter in 2009, Fr Tesfaye was elected General Councillor, responsible for Basic Formation and Anglophone Africa and Mozambique. At the following General Chapter, in 2015, he was elected Superior General.
Assistant members of the General Council:
Fr Codianni Luigi Fernando, 58, was born in Celenza Valfortore, Italy. He was ordained a priest on 15 May 1993. He studied Theology in São Paulo, Brazil from 1988 to 1993. After a period in Italy from 1993 to 2001, he was posted in Brazil where he became provincial superior. In 2011 he returned to Italy where he served as provincial bursar.
Br. Lamana Consola Alberto, 51, has been re-elected Assistant General. Born in Zaragoza, Spain, he completed his formation in Santarém, Portugal from 1995 to 1997 and Nairobi, Kenya from 1997 to 2001. He made his perpetual vows on 21 May 2005. He worked in South Sudan from 2001 to 2011 and in Spain from 2011 to 2015. Elected General Councillor in 2015, he was assigned to co-ordinate the Brothers of the Institute, the Mission Secretariat and various provinces of Europe.
Fr David Costa Domingues was born in Calvão, Portugal, on 1 July 1972. He studied Theology in Chicago, USA, from the year 1994 to 1998. He was ordained a priest on 9 August 1998. He worked in Portugal from 1998 to 2003, in the field of vocations. Fr David was then assigned to the Philippines where, in 2017, he was appointed superior of the Asia Delegation, a service he has performed to date.
Fr Elias Sindjalim Essognimam, 51, was born in Pagouda, Togo. He did his Novitiate at Isiro, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1993 to 1995 and theology studies in Chicago, USA (1995–2000). He was ordained a priest on 29 July 2000. He worked in Togo (2000–2008) and DRC (2012–2017). From 2008 to 2012, he studied Education Sciences in Rome. In 2017, he was assigned to the Continuing Formation community at Rome and in 2021, appointed General Secretary of Formation.