Salesian provincial elected national president of Religious Superiors

(Oct. 31, 2012) Salesian Provincial Fr. Vattathara M. Thomas of Guwahati Province in eastern India’s Assam State has been elected the national president of the Conference of Religious Superiors of India, CRI. The election was announced on Tuesday (Oct. 30) during the October 28-31 meeting of some 550 Superior Generals and provincials of various congregations in Hyderabad,capital of southern India’s Andhra Pradesh State.
The delegates of CRI met for their triennial assembly to deliberate on innovations to give consecrated life greater effectiveness. Asked about his election, Fr. Vattathara said “I did not expect it at all, as I was a new comer at the CRI national. While it is an honour, it is also a burden for me but with the opportunity to serve in a more meaningful manner.”
The CRI has a total of 334 congregations and 822 major superiors representing more than 125,000 Catholic Religious brothers, priests and nuns in India. Most of the schools, hospitals, social service centers and other institutions of the Catholic Church are managed by this group. Almost 30 years ago, another Salesian provincial of Guwahati province, late Bishop Mathai Kochuparampil of Diphu was elected the CRI national president.