Filipino priest elected to head the Columbans

Fr Andrei Paz, new Columban superior

The newly elected international society leader for the Columban Missionaries is a Filipino priest. Fr Andrei Paz, aged 36, was ordained in 2009 and has served in Philippines, Taiwan and China.

The Columbans described the election of their first Society Leader from the Philippines as "an historic moment in the history of the Society."

The Missionary Society of St Columban was founded in Ireland in 1918 and takes its name from St Columban, Ireland's sixth century missionary to Europe. Today, it is present in 15 countries.

Fr Paz replaces Fr Tim Mulroy, the Irish outgoing Society Leader. Fr Paz has asked for the Society's prayers, support and friendship. He said the Society was like "a boat" in which all our efforts are needed, working together as one.

The new General Council, elected at the Society's General Assembly in Peru and which will serve for six years and be based in Hong Kong, also includes Fr Peter O'Neill, an Australian ordained in 1990 who has served in Taiwan and been Regional Director of Columbans in Oceania. Also, Korean Fr Kim Young-In and Peruvian Fr Salustino Villalobos Mondragon.

A new Columban Lay Missionaries Central Leadership Team was also elected for a period of six years. Sherryl Lou Capili from the Philippines and Kim Sun Hee from Korea will also be based in Hong Kong.

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The Columbans: https://columbans.co.uk/