First for congregation
International
For the first time, a non-priest has been elected Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, following a change to Church law approved by Pope Francis.
Connecticut-born Brother Paul Bednarczyk has served as vicar and general assistant of the congregation for the past six years.
“I am humbled and grateful for the confidence and trust of my brothers in Holy Cross for allowing me the privilege to serve as their Superior General,” he said.
“The Holy Father’s decision to allow a brother to serve as Supreme Moderator in a mixed congregation of priests and brothers is an unprecedented affirmation and validation of the religious brother’s vocation in the Church.”
The congregation has more than 1200 perpetually professed religious brothers and priests serving in 16 countries. Its mission has long focused on pastoral work and education.
In Adelaide, the congregation has a presence through Fr Lancy D’Silva, parish priest of the Sacred Heart Parish Hindmarsh-Findon.
Fr Lancy said the leadership appointment was a significant one, due to Pope Francis being open to new ways of ‘being Church’.
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