The 21 Consolata Missionaries working in Argentina met on June 16 to elect their new Regional Council for the 2025–2028 term.
By Donald Mwenesa *
The meeting, held in a hybrid format with three groups connected via Zoom, began by invoking the Holy Spirit to inspire in the missionaries the desire to be a true sign and instrument of union with God in the world and a source of hope for the communities they serve. The prayer also called for the spirit of holiness—soul and support of the Church—so that the richness of the missionaries’ charism may contribute to building the Kingdom of God. May the Spirit of Consolation, source of joy and peace, inspire us to make gestures of friendship, offer fraternal gazes, listen sincerely, and serve selflessly, knowing that the Spirit of Jesus can transform every action into a fruitful seed of hope for those who receive it.
Then, on the sixth day of the Novena to Our Lady Consolata, we turned our gaze to Our Lady of Consolation as a source of hope. She invites us to “become missionaries of hope among peoples.”
New Regional Council
During the meeting, in accordance with the Constitutions, the Assembly elected Father Daniel Alberto Bertea, an Argentine missionary, as the new Regional Superior. Father Bertea has extensive missionary experience in Kenya, served as Superior of the General House in Rome, was novice master in Argentina, and also served as pastor of the Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Andacollo, in the province of San Juan, Argentina.
The Assembly also elected the councillors who will collaborate with the Regional Superior in the animation, discernment, and coordination of the missionary activities of the IMC Region in Argentina.
Father Olivier Bingidimi Sala, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and currently pastor of the Virgen Medalla Milagrosa parish in Alto Comedero, San Salvador de Jujuy, in northern Argentina, was elected Vice-Superior.
Councilors:
- Father James Macharia Kirira, from Kenya, current Regional Administrator;
- Father José Auletta, from Italy, with extensive experience working with Indigenous populations and currently serving in the Yuto mission in Jujuy;
- Father Rogers Edward Kiwango, from Tanzania, currently vicar in the Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Andacollo, San Juan Province.
We commend our new Superior, Father Daniel Bertea, and his Council to our Holy Founder, Saint Joseph Allamano, and to the Blessed Virgin Consolata on the eve of her feast day, that they may be guided with wisdom and encouraged by their love in service to the Church and the Institute.
* Fr. Donald Mwenesa, IMC, Argentina Communications.
