Spiritan Congregation Elects New Superior General

During its Oct. 18 meetings in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, the General Chapter of the Spiritans elected the Rev. Alain Mayama, C.S.Sp., as the new Superior General of the Congregation. He is the first African Spiritan to hold the position.

The Superior General is the highest position of authority in the Spiritan Congregation and, with his Council, is responsible for leading Spiritans around the world. Duquesne was founded by the Spiritans on Oct. 1, 1878, and draws from its Catholic Spiritan heritage in walking alongside all of its students.

Mayama was born in Brazzaville, in the Republic of the Congo, and is a member of the Spiritan Province there. He most recently served as General Assistant for the Spiritans in Rome.

A Duquesne alumnus prepared for anything, Mayama earned both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in theology from the University. He then served as Chaplain of a hospital in Port Huron, Michigan, before completing four years of mission work prior to joining the General Council in Rome in 2012.

“Fr. Mayama is a wonderful choice and example of service to lead the Spiritans globally,” said Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. “We certainly are delighted that a Duquesne alumnus is the leader of the Congregation that founded and animates our University today. We are equally proud of the record of service and leadership that Fr. Mayama has built. Fr. Jim McCloskey and I had the privilege of meeting with him when we visited Rome a few years ago, and his wisdom and humility will serve the Congregation well.”

Mayama will have the mission of animating the more than 2,500 Spiritan Missionaries working in more than 60 countries on five continents. He also will welcome and animate the thousands of lay people who share Spiritan spirituality and mission.