(ANS – Rome) – On 8 June last, the members' Assembly of the Salesian NGO “International Voluntary Service for Development” (VIS) elected Fr Claudio Belfiore SDB its new President. The Salesian will remain in office until next November when new elections will be held.

Fr Belfiore was born 6 July 1964 in Nichelino, in the province of Turin. He began his novitiate in Pinerolo in 1983, made his first profession on 8 September of the following year, and made his perpetual profession on 4 October 1990. He was ordained on 20 June 1992.

From 2000 to 2010 he was at the Salesian work in Cuneo, where he served as vicar, rector and director of the oratory.

Currently Fr Belifiore is also President of the National Centre for Salesian Works  (CNOS), the body which promotes VIS; national Coordinator for Youth Ministry for the Salesians of Italy and Secretary of the Conference of Salesian Provinces of Italy (CISI).

The new President succeeds Carola Carazzone, who took up office in Aprl 2011. “I want to again express my heartfelt thanks to Carola for the work and dedication she gave VIS as President these past years,” writes Fr Belfiore in a letter.

Published 01/07/2013