After the election of Brother George KIZHAKKENATH as the Brother Provincial, the following Brothers were elected as Councillors:

First Provincial Councillor Brother Benedict NADAYIL

Second Provincial Councillor Brother Francis MANNAPARAMPIL

Third Provincial Councillor Brother Thomas JAMES

Fourth Provincial Councillor Brother Shiju NANTHIKATTU

The Provincial Chapter on 11 May 2022 elected the new Superior of the Province: Brother George KIZHAKKENATH

The Indian Provincial Chapter opened on 7 May. The Chapter Assembly is attended by a total of 30 Brothers and 15 Co-workers, including two Sisters of Charity of St John of God and two Camillian Sisters. Brother Joseph Smith is presiding at the Chapter accompanied by two other General Councillors, Brother Vincent Kochamkunnell and Brother Joaquim Erra. The moderator of the Chapter is Fr Charlie SDB, the Provincial of one of the Salesian Provinces in India. The opening Eucharist was presided at by Brother Saji Mullankuzhy, the present Provincial of Austria.

The Chapter has convened at the Provincial Curia in Poonamallee, Chennai.

In his opening remarks, Brother Joseph Smith recalled the importance and the responsibility that comes with participating at the Chapter, inviting everyone to  remember all the people who belong to the Province, and developing a number of the ideas raised in Pope Francis' address to the Vocals at the last General Chapter. He offered a number of considerations regarding the Lines of Action of the General Chapter and recalled the context of synodality which we are being urged to promote. Finally, he offered some very thought-provoking questions to help us to consider where we are and to reflect on the present moment in the life of the Province and the importance of the Chapter.

Let us pray for the smooth running of this Chapter, drawing very close to our Brothers of the Indian Province and their Co-workers, and especially to the people being cared for in their Centres.