First Filipino elected to Claretian general gov’t

First Filipino elected to Claretian general gov’t

By Roy Lagarde

September 10, 2015

Manila, Philippines

Fr. Leo Dalmao , CMF

For the first time, a Filipino Catholic priest was elected to the new general government of the Claretians worldwide.

In an election held on Sept. 9 in Rome, Fr. Leo Dalmao, current Provincial Superior of the Claretians in the Philippines, was elected consultor and Prefect of Formation.

It is the same office served for 12 years by Fr. Mathew Vattamattam of India before he was earlier elected as the 13th Superior General of the Congregation.

The election coincided with their 25th General Chapter, bringing together representatives of more than 3,000 Claretians in 65 countries.

Fr. Dalmao, a 45-year old native of Tagbilaran City in Bohol, was ordained priest in May 1997.

At present, he is also a co-chairperson of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP).

Other elected officials include: Fr. Henry Omonisaye of West Nigera as consultor without prefecture; Fr. Manuel Tamargo of Spain as consultor and General Economer; and Provincial Superior of Portugal Province Fr. Artur Teixeira as Consultor-Prefect of Apostolate;

Fr. Gonzalo Fernandez was also reelected Consultor-Prefect of Spirituality while Bro. Carlos Verga of the Province of San Jose del Sur was named Consultor-Prefect of Youth-vocation ministry.

The officials will serve their new posts for the next sexennium 2016-2022.