Br. Kenneth Charles McDonald appointed as the Vicar General
In a letter sent to the Marist Brothers on the 6th February, 2025, Brother Ernesto Sánchez Barba, Superior General, communicated the election of Br. Ken McDonald as the new Vicar General of the Institute of the Marist Brothers. Br. Ken’s service to the Institute begins today and will last until the next General Chapter which will take place in the Philippines from 8 September 2025. In this way he replaces Br. Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, fulfilling what our Constitutions say in number 112.
Below, you can find the Brother Ernesto’s letter.
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Dear Brothers, Fraternal greetings from Rome, where the General Council has begun its plenary sessions for the month of February.
We remain united in prayer, giving thanks for the life and vocation of Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez Blanco, and holding his mother and sister in our hearts.
On Tuesday, 4 February, one month after his passing, we celebrated a Eucharist of thanksgiving here at the General House.
Article 112 of our Constitutions states: “If it becomes impossible for the Vicar General to fulfil his role during his term of office, a new Vicar General will be elected by the Superior General with his Council.”
In light of recent events, and in accordance with our Constitutions, the General Council has collectively appointed Brother Kenneth Charles McDonald as the new Vicar General of the Institute of the Marist Brothers.
We are grateful to Brother Ken for his generosity and willingness to take on this role, which he will carry out from today, 6 th February, until the next General Chapter which begins on the 8th of September in the Philippines.
As you know, Brother Ken has served as a General Councilor since October 2017. For the past eighteen months, he has also been responsible for coordinating the Preparatory Commission for the XXIII General Chapter.
The present General Council is made up of the Vicar General and five General Councilors who, together with the Superior General, they form the General Government of the Institute (Cfr. Constitutions 114).
We entrust him to Mary, our Good Mother, and to Saint Marcellin Champagnat, asking for their guidance in his service to the Institute, alongside the General Council and myself as Superior General.
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Br. Ernesto Sánchez Barba, Superior General
6 February 2025
