Rocca di Papa, Italy – May 28, 2025
On the third day of the second week of the 22nd General Assembly of the Society of African Missions (SMA), held at the Centro di Spiritualità Sacro Cuore in Rocca di Papa, Italy, Rev. Fr. François Marie Hervé du Penhoat was elected as the new Superior General of the congregation. Until his election, Fr. du Penhoat served as the Provincial Superior of the Province of Lyon.

A priest of deep missionary conviction and broad experience, Fr. du Penhoat was ordained on September 21, 1985. Before joining the SMA, he worked as an agricultural technician in the Diocese of Lokossa, Republic of Benin, from 1976 to 1978. His formation within the SMA began in the then District of Spain, with seminary studies in Madrid and at the Missionary Institute of London (MIL). He later earned a master’s degree in spirituality in Spain and completed formator training in France.

Fr. Du Penhoat’s missionary journey reflects a commitment to the grassroots of the Church’s evangelizing mission. He served in alternating roles between the then District of Spain and the Bariba region of Benin, blending pastoral sensitivity with leadership responsibilities. In 2008, he joined the Lyon Province and was elected in the council in 2013, and iProvincial Superior in 2016, and 2019.

As he steps into this leadership position, Fr. Du Penhoat is expected to guide the Society with a vision rooted in its charism and responsive to contemporary challenges in missionary work.

A Sacred Act of Leadership

The election took place in a solemn and spiritually charged environment. Delegates gathered in the assembly hall—transformed into a symbolic Sistine Chapel for the day—as the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus was sung to invoke divine guidance.

Two scrutineers—Fr. Charles Acheneje, 36, from Nigeria, and Fr. Jos Pijpers, 80, from the Netherlands—oversaw the process with care and transparency.

In His Own Words: A Vision Rooted in Faith and Hope

Presiding over the evening Eucharist, Fr. Du Penhoat delivered a deeply moving homily outlining his spiritual vision for the SMA.

He reflected on the certainty Christians hold—not about knowing the future, but about where their life ends: in God. “Let our lives be filled with confidence and hope,” he said, recalling the foundational courage of Bishop de Brésillac, founder of the SMA, who embarked on his African mission knowing he might die, but trusting that if the work was of God, it would survive.

Fr. Du Penhoat emphasized that this legacy of trust in God and in one another must continue. “Now it’s our turn to be that human will so that the work may continue.”

He also shared two personal images that sustain his spiritual life: “Jesus and I, yoked like two horses pulling a carriage—He pulls more than I do, making the burden light. And the Holy Spirit as car headlights guiding me through the night, revealing each step as I move forward.”

He concluded with a powerful prayer of humility and service—entrusting himself and future elected leaders to the grace of the Holy Spirit, praying for courage, compassion, transparency, and the strength to build fraternity through collaboration.

Shaping the Future: Choosing the General Council

Following the election of the Superior General, the afternoon was dedicated to discerning the qualities needed in members of the future General Council, whose election is scheduled for Saturday, May 31.

Delegates called for leaders who are passionate about mission, peace-builders, good listeners, and impartial team players. The next council must reflect the intercultural and international reality of the SMA, be creative and consistent, able to guide with wisdom while upholding subsidiarity, and be present to confreres in all circumstances, particularly those in difficulty.

They must also be prophetic, visionary, and collaborative.

A Day of Celebration and Renewal

The day ended with a festive meal, marking a moment of gratitude and celebration for the election of Fr. Du Penhoat. In his remarks, he thanked the outgoing leadership team, acknowledging their service in challenging times, and urged the Assembly to carry forward the dynamism being experienced into every SMA community.

Tomorrow’s agenda will focus on group work exploring the thematic issues identified earlier in the Assembly—ensuring that the SMA remains faithful to its missionary identity while embracing new realities with boldness, faith, and unity.

As Fr. du Penhoat said:

“May a powerful breath arise from this Assembly, one that deeply renews our congregation, and breathes new life into each of our confreres and seminarians, so we may all recommit with more heart and strength.”

By Dominic Wabwireh