Fr. François Marie Hervé du Penhoat, New Superior General of the Society of African Missions

During the 22nd General Assembly of the Society of African Missions (SMA), held from May 18 to June 8 at the Sacred Heart Spirituality Center in Rocca di Papa, Italy, the Reverend Father François Marie Hervé du Penhoat was elected the new Superior General of the congregation, as successor to Fr. Antonio Porcellato.
Until his election, Father du Penhoat served as the Provincial Superior of the Lyon Province.

A priest with deep missionary commitment and a diverse background, Father François was ordained on September 21, 1985. He has a background in agriculture and worked as an agricultural technician in the Diocese of Lokossa for two years, from 1976 to 1978. He joined the SMA in Spain, attended the seminary in Madrid and then the International Language Institute in London, completed a master's degree in spirituality in Spain, and a formation course in France. He alternated his service between the then Spanish District and the Bariba Mission in the Republic of Benin. He joined the Lyon Province in 2008 and was elected to the Provincial Council in 2013. He was elected Provincial in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.

In his new role, he will lead the SMA according to the institute's charism, discerningly addressing the modern challenges of mission.

During the General Assembly, the following members of the Council were also elected:

• Fr. Damian Bresnahan, Ireland – Vicar General

• Fr. Didier Lawson, Togo – General Councillor

• Fr. James Shimbala, Tanzania – General Councillor