Brother Brendan Geary takes the place of Brother Joseph McKee

In its session of 4 December 2009, the General Council decided to appoint Brother Brendan Geary as Provincial of the West Central Europe Province for a three year term, commencing on 13 February 2010. Brother Brendan replaces Brother Joseph McKee, elected Vicar General by the 21st General Chapter.

Br. Brendan has been especially committed to Marist life in the running of the province, and has wide experience of Marist religious life in Great Britain, the Cameroons, and the United States. Occasion for formation in recent years has allowed him to give qualified and respectful care to others and to learn how to confront difficult and demanding situations. His apostolic work with the staff and seminarians of Ushaw College, Durham (England) has also given him wide experience in team work.

Br. Brendan takes on the animation of a Province which has made much progress in the last years. Thanks to the leadership provided by the Provincial and his team, there has been a strong effort to facilitate meeting between Brothers (retreats, meetings, seminars, commissions, etc.). Some senior Brothers point out the communication there has been within the province and the positive results arising from this.

Among the challenges facing the new Provincial are the lack of vocations over many years, the need for new candidates, renewal of spiritual and community life, and the visibility of the Marist mission in the province.

Brother Emili Turú, Superior General, in the letter presenting the new Provincial to the Brothers, writes: “The XXI General Chapter invites us to focus our gaze on the future with hope, with our eyes fixed on the coming special celebration of the bicentenary of the foundation of the Institute. But more it urges us to set out in haste, with Mary, to a new land. I am sure that the next Provincial Chapter will be the best means of working out, under the direction of Brother Brendan and the members of his team, the objectives for the future”.