(ANS – Rome) – In recent days the appointments of three new Provincials have been announced: Fr Nestor Alejandro Ledesma, Superior of Paraguay; Fr John Jairo Gámez, Provincial of Colombia-Medellin; and Fr Onorino Pistellato, the first Superior of the new “Mary Help of Christians” Circumscription with a special statute of Greek-Catholic Ukraine, canonically erected by a decree of 29 March 2012.

Fr Nestor Alejandro Ledesma Peralta was born in Asunción on 11 July 1970. He made his novitiate at Ramos Mejia (Buenos Aires) in 1997 and was professed as a Salesian in January 1998. He studied theology in Santiago, Chile, at the Pontifical University of Chile. Ordained priest at San Vicente on 2 December 2006 – by Archbishop Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, coadjutor archbishop of Asunción – he was  Delegate for Youth Ministry 2007-2010 and in 2010 became Provincial Economer.

Fr John Jairo Gomez was born on 27 December 1963 in Medellín. He took his first vows on 31 January 1984 and his perpetual vows on 9 January 1990 at La Ceja. Ordained priest in the  city of Medellín on 17 October 1992, he was Director of Novices  between 1999 and 2006 and Vice Provincial between 2006 and 2010. In the Province he has also been Delegate for Formation and Delegate for the Salesian Family.

Fr Onorino Pistellato was born on 28 August 1944 at Gardigiano, Scorzè, Italy. He made his novitiate  at Morzano-Cavaglià in 1960 and his first profession on 16 August 1961. Ordained priest on 28 April 1973 at Gardigiano Scorzè, he worked in various communities in Switzerland, Italy  and Russia and since 2004 in the Delegation of the Ukraine. In 2007 he was appointed Delegate for Formation.

In the presence of the Regional Councillor Fr Marek Chrzan, representing the Rector Major, Fr Pistellato will be installed on 19 August, on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration, the day on which the Salesians of Oriental Rite generally renew their vows or make their perpetual profession.

Published 25/06/2012