Meeting of the Governing Council of the International Marist Network of Higher Education
Meeting of the Governing Council of the International Marist Network of Higher Education
The first meeting of the new Governing Council of the Marist International Network of Higher Education was held (online) on 8 July 2022. Present were: Br. Marcelo Bonhemberger (PUCRS – Brazil), Ana Gabriela Aguirre Franco (Marist University of Mexico City – Mexico), Br. Arnel Alfanta S. (Notre Dame of Kidapawan College – Philippines), Br. Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal (Director of the Secretariat for Education and Evangelisation – General House), Fabiano Incerti (PUCPR – Brazil), Silvia Vargas Salazar (Marist University Valladolid – Mexico), Br. Osuji Gregory Ekene (Marist Polytechnic Enugu – Nigeria), João Fett (PUCRS – Brazil), Br. Manuir Mentges (PUCRS – Brazil), Br. Ben Consigli (General Councillor – General House), Br. José Sánchez Bravo (Director-elect of the Secretariat of Education and Evangelisation – General House), Daiana Kessler (Interpreter – PUCRS – Brazil).
Under the leadership of the new president of the Marist International Network of Higher Education (RIMES), Brother Marcelo Bonhemberger (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul – PUCRS – Brazil), relevant issues were discussed related to the new executive structure of RIMES, elected at its 10th Assembly, which took place from 26 to 29 April 2022.
New executive structure
The new executive structure consists of two councils: the Governing Council and the Finance Council. The members of the respective councils are as follows:
Governing Council:
- Br. Marcelo Bonhemberger (PUCRS – Brazil)
- Ana Gabriela Aguirre Franco (Universidad Marista de la Ciudad De Mexico – Mexico)
- Br. Arnel S. (Notre Dame of Kidapawan College – Philippines)
- Br. Carlos Alberto Rojas Carvajal (Secretariat of Education and Evangelisation – General House)
Finance Council:
- Fabiano Incerti (PUCPR – Brazil)
- Silvia Vargas Salazar (Universidad Marista Valladolid – México)
- Br. Osuji Gregory Ekene (Marist Polytechnic Enugu – Nigeria)
After a reflection on the message of Pope Francis to the participants in the General Conference of the Marist Brothers in March 2022, there was a moment of thanking Br Manuir and the other members of the Executive Committee of the previous administration. This was followed by the introduction of the new Executive Secretary of RIMES, João Fett, Pastoral Analyst of the Pro-Rectorate of Institutional Identity at PUCRS, Brazil.
Brother Ben Consigli, on behalf of the General Government of the Institute, thanked the previous administration and wished the new one success in its work, pointing to the vitality and relevance of the Marist mission in the field of higher education, and mentioning the important contribution that RIMES is invited to offer to the Marist world, asking for God’s blessings for this new moment.
Brother Carlos Alberto Rojas referred to how Marist Institute is currently engaged in revising its self-understanding in terms of its global educational mission. This involves a constant renewal in our ways of living the Marist charism, especially in the context of the works of higher education.
The key deliberations of the last assembly were quickly reviewed. The situation of the legal registration of RIMES as a Brazilian public body was then reported on. A general timeline for the year 2022 was proposed for reflection.
