News Details

On Monday afternoon, July 18, the 2016 General Chapter of the Congregation of Holy Cross elected Fr. Robert L. Epping, C.S.C., as Superior General. Fr. Epping is the 13th Superior General in the history of the Congregation. He succeeds Fr. Richard V. Warner, C.S.C.

�When Fr. Warner asked if I would let my name stand for election, I responded it must not be my will, but God�s,� said Fr. Epping. �Then when the first ballot was taken and the first name called was mine, my heart sunk. By the end of the counting of the first ballot and I had more votes than any of the other four nominees, my heart started to pound. After a couple more rounds with the calling of my name over and over, Fr. Warner requested me to stand and asked me if I would accept election.

�I responded �I do�,� continued Fr. Epping, �meaning to add something like, �as God�s will for me.� But those words never came out of my mouth. I was stunned as the Chapter room rose to their feet with prolonged applause.�

According to the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, �The congregation is guided and governed by the superior general, who holds personal authority over all provinces, houses and members� (VII, 107). He is elected by the General Chapter, in which is vested �the highest authority of the Congregation� (VII, 99).

To assist him in his leadership of the Congregation, the Superior General has a council comprised of elected and appointed members. These elections and appointments will take place this week.

Monday, the day of election of the Superior General, began with Morning Prayer and then the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, presided by Fr. Warner. After a quick procedural meeting, the capitulants met in small groups to discuss the qualities and characteristics desirable in the next Superior General. The rest of the morning was dedicated to personal reflection and prayer. The election itself took place after lunch.

�Some of my Holy Cross friends had told me not to be surprised if my life changed. I couldn�t imagine this happening, but it has. Now I must form a team to lead the men of Holy Cross as the Spirit wishes to lead us,� said Fr. Epping.

�Attending for the first time the General Chapter of the Congregation has been both an experience of our internationality�our unity and diversity�and an opportunity to look in unison to the future of the Congregation with prophetic faith and trust in the Lord,� said Fr. Abraham. �I think that the Chapter was conducted with utmost attentiveness to all the opinions expressed in the Chapter hall, lest we fail to heed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The new structural plan envisaged for our Congregation tallies with the theme of the Chapter: �disciples with the competence to see and the courage to act.�  The presence of first timers for the General Chapter along with the experienced confreres gave much vitality, creativity, heritage and humor in the otherwise �serious sessions.��

�The former general council has worked tirelessly in planning for our future in the midst of the challenges of a changing Church, world, and Congregation,� added Br. Bednarczyk. �We owe them a debt of gratitude. I hope and pray that the directions set by this Chapter will build upon our collective wisdom and move us into the future while strengthening us in our vowed commitment as Holy Cross religious and to the mission given to us by Father Moreau. 

�Our Constitutions say that �for the Kingdom to come in this world, disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act.� We have demonstrated our competence in envisioning our future, but the next step is courageously to act upon it,� continued Br. Bednarczyk. �Holy Cross is a resilient group of men and I trust we will.�