2022-02-26 SRI LANKA

Br. Kristobuge Nicholas Francis new provincial of the South Asia

The General Council has appointed Br. Kristobuge Nicholas Francis Fernando as Provincial of the South Asia Province for a period of three years, following the consultation carried out with the brothers.

Br. Nicholas will replace Br. Mervyn Perera, Provincial for six years. He will begin his mandate as Provincial during the celebration of the Provincial Chapter which is to be held from 3rd to 6th August 2022.

In the letter sent to the Brothers of the Province, Br. Ernesto thanked Br. Nicholas for accepting the position and taking into consideration his Marist experience said : “Your spirituality, your journey as a brother in the different missions entrusted to you, particularly as formator in an international context, your current service as member of the Provincial Council and your experience as Vice-Provincial, will serve you well as you and the future Provincial Council and animation teams accompany Marist life and mission in the Province.”

The Superior General also thanked Br Mervyn: “Thank you for your devotedness! You have lived the service of leadership during some very challenging and difficult times, especially considering the on-going pandemic and its impact. Thank you for all your efforts.”

Nicholas Francis Fernando

Born in 1956, Br. Nicholas hails from Kalaeliya, village in Ja-ela town, Srilanka. Had his juniorate at Our Lady’s Hermitage, Tudella, Ja-ela, Srilanka and Novitiate at Walpola, Ragma, Srilanka. Made the first profession on 15th August, 1976. Then had one year of scholasticate in Negombo and another two years at Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa, Srilanka. Made his perpetual profession on 22nd December 1985.

He got his BTh from the National Seminary Srilanka, affiliated to the Urbanium University, Rome. Another important formative experience for him was the 18 months long course for the formation of Formators, held from 1990 January to 1991 June, at Castelgandolfo and then our Generalate in Rome.

As a missionary, has served in India, Tamil Nadu from 1980 to 1983 and again from 2008 to 2010. As a formator: 1991 to 1992 in the staff of Tomontaka Novitiate in the Philippines. And at the novitiate Tudella, Srilanka,  as the novice master from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2006 to 2008 and from 2014 to 2020.

Other important apostolic work done by him were teaching at Maris Stella College Negombo from 2000 to 2005 and working with the Srilankan Tamil community after the civil war, towards peace and reconciliation work from 2010 to 2014. At present, he is on the staff of Marist Formation house in Negombo while holding the responsibility of vice Provincial of the South Asia Province.

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