Maryknoll priests and brothers elect new leadership at general chapter

OSSINING, N.Y. (CNS) -- Father Raymond J. Finch, a 38-year missioner who has served throughout Latin America, has been elected superior general of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.

Representatives to the Maryknoll Society's 13th general chapter held at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Ossining elected Father Finch and other new leaders to serve six-year terms through 2020.

Every six years, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers convene a general chapter to establish goals and policy for the future, and to select new leadership.

Father Finch, 66, who most recently served as Maryknoll's assistant regional superior and regional superior in Latin America, was selected to a second term as superior general. He first held that position 1996 to 2002.

The priest, who is from Brooklyn, has spent 38 years as missioner, serving throughout Latin America.

Other new leaders and their positions include:

-- Father Joseph M. Everson III, 52, was elected vicar general. A 15-year missioner who has served in Latin America, he is from San Francisco.

-- Father Russell J. Feldmeier, 69, was elected as an assistant general. He is 34-year missioner who has served in Korea. Born in Boston, he moved several times with his family and eventually settled in Norristown, Pennsylvania, which in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

-- Father Thomas J. O'Brien, 69, also was elected as an assistant general. He has spent 40 years as a missioner in the Philippines and Vietnam. Father O'Brien is from New York City borough of the Bronx.

The Maryknoll Society's new general council, which officially assumed office Nov. 3, will lead the approximately 350 Maryknoll priests and Maryknoll Brothers who currently serve in mission in 26 countries, including the United States.

"We leave the Maryknoll (general) chapter with new energy for discovering and making known Christ's presence and love in Asia, Africa and Latin America," said Father Finch in a statement. "Following the call of Pope Francis, we pledge our efforts to call all to be missionary disciples, especially our brothers and sisters in our home church of the U.S."