Fr Biju Michael of Guwahati elected Salesian South Asia Regional Councillor
Rome, 13 March 2020
Fr Biju Michael of Guwahati
Fr Biju Michael Pulianmackal of Guwahati province popularly known as Fr Biju Michael was elected Salesian South Asia Regional Councillor, 13 March 2020, at 28th General Chapter being held at Valdocco in Turin, northern Italy. He succeeds Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga of Chennai province who served in the same post two terms (a total of 12 years) as Regional.
Fr. Biju Michael is delegate of Guwahati Salesian Province at the General Chapter being held in Rome, as well as Registrar of Assam Don Bosco University since 2016.
The General Chapter 28, has 242 Capitulars, representing the 7 Regions, comprising of 66 nationalities engaged in active youth ministry in over 130 countries.
The theme of the chapter is ''What type/kind of Salesians for the young people of today?'' GC 28 which started on 15th February 2020 and scheduled to conclude after 7 weeks on 4th April will end on Saturday 14th March due to the epidemic of Coronavirus.
A decade ago, Dr. Biju Michael defended his Doctoral thesis in Moral Theology on ''Defending Nascent Life in India: A Study on the Role of Catholic Healthcare'' at Academia Alfonsiana, Rome. His guides Prof. E. Kowalski from Poland and Prof. V. Tirimanna from Sri Lanka were very appreciative of "the depth of research, scholarship and the competence of the student."
Dr. Biju Michael has vast experience in youth ministry in northeast India with a strong academic blend as the professor of Philosophy at Salesian College Dimapur, Professor of Moral Theology at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong and as Professor and President of the International Salesian Theologate at Ratisbone, Jerusalem.
Besides his doctorate in Moral Theology, Fr. Biju also holds a Masters degree in Philosophy and another MA in English Literature.
Some of the books by Dr Biju Michael include: Youth Vision: Guidelines for Youth Ministry in Northeast India (2 editions, 1995 and 2002); Jesus Ways to Success (3 editions between 2005 and 2017); Catholic Health Care and Abortions in India : the Challenge of Defending Life from Conception (2009) Integrity: the Core of Leadership (2009); Abortions in the land of ahimsā (2012); Civilians in the Line of Fire in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching (2015), and Mercy Without Boundaries (2016).
Another Indian Salesian from Bombay Province Fr Ivo Coelho was confirmed for a second six-year term as General Councillor for Formation.
Current Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, originally from Spain has been re-elected for a second term.
Italian Salesian Fr Stefano Martoglio was elected Vicar of the Rector Major for 2020-2026. Until now, he was Councilor for the Mediterranean region.
Spanish Salesian Fr Miguel Angel García Morcuende is Councilor for Youth Ministry, having served in the same Department between 2010 and 2017.
Brazilian Salesian Fr Gildásio Mendes dos Santos, newly appointed provincial of Belo Horizonte is elected as General Councillor for Social Communication.
Fr Alfred Maravilla, currently Superior of the Vice Province of Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands (PGS), originally from the Philippines is elected as General Councillor for Missions.
Bro Jean Paul Muller, Salesian Lay Brother from Luxembourg is reconfirmed as Economer General for a second six year term.
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by C.M. Paul who can be contacted at cmpaul53(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on 14th March 2020 and updated with the correct location of the General Chapter on 15 March
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