HONG KONG (SE): In recent months, the Missionary Society of St. Columban elected a new international leadership team, which includes the General Council and the Lay Missionary Central Leadership Team. In July, the six new leaders relocated to Hong Kong, where they will oversee Columban missions in 15 countries over the next six years.
In February, Columban lay missionaries from around the world gathered in Manila, the Philippines, to review their endeavours and plan their future. During that meeting, they also elected Sherryl Lou Capili, from the Philippines, and Kim Sunhee Sunny, from South Korea, as their new international leaders. Capili spent 13 years ministering in Taiwan, while Kim spent 13 years on mission in the Philippines.
In June, together with Capili and Kim, priest representatives of the Columbans from all mission territories gathered in Lima, Peru, for their General Assembly. They reviewed the various missionary endeavours from over the past six years, set a direction for the next six years, and elected a new General Council.
The participants were aware of a significant decision made 42 years ago during the 1982 General Assembly in Lima. At that time, it was decided to accept vocations from what were then known as mission territories, including Fiji, the Philippines, Korea, Chile, Peru, and in later years, Tonga, Kiribati, Rotuma, China, and Myanmar.
For the first time in the history of the Society of St. Columban, the majority of the members of the International Leadership Team came from places that were traditionally considered mission countries
Father Paz
It was evident that the decision was bearing fruit, as the new society leader, Father Andrei Paz, is a Filipino. One of the general councillors, Father Kim Young In, is from Korea, while another councillor, Father Salustino Villalobos Mondragon, is from Peru. Father Peter O’Neill, the society vicar, is from Australia.
After his election, Father Paz said, “For the first time in the history of the Society of St. Columban, the majority of the members of the International Leadership Team came from places that were traditionally considered mission countries. We are the fruits of the sacrifices and commitment of Columban missionaries who laboured in our home countries during these past 106 years. Previous generations of Columban missionaries have formed us and nurtured us, so that now we are the ones entrusted with leading the Society of St. Columban and directing its missionary efforts into the future. Many of those Columbans who laboured for a long number of years in various mission fields are now elderly and in need of care, but they still continue to do their part by supporting and praying for the missions. Their hearts are still with us, and we remain grateful for their ongoing encouragement while we—a new generation—strive to remain faithful to the missionary tradition and spirit that they have passed on to us.”
The six new Columban leaders, in a spirit of synodality, will collaborate as one international team to direct Columban missions. They are keenly aware of the many challenges ahead of them.
“We have also come to a greater realisation that our deepest vocation is to be of service not to my own personal ministry or to the Society of St. Columban, but rather to God’s mission. We know that God is faithful and that his ways are not our ways, his plans are not our plans,” Father Paz said.
