On the feast day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam and under the gaze of Saint Vincent de Paul, the installation ceremony of the XVI International President and International Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul took place at the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Renato Lima de Oliveira was installed as the new International President, succeeding Dr. Michael Thio, and will lead the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for a term of 6 years (2016-2022).

The new SSVP CGI board members taking their oath in front of St. Vincent de Paul and in the presence of the leaders of various Vincentian Family organizations and groups.

The ceremony began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Father Tomaž Mavrič, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission with the homily given by Father Bertrand Ponsard, Superior of the Motherhouse of the Vincentians.

After Communion and before the Final Blessing, the hymn of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul announced the beginning of the installation. The new President gave each member of the International Council (composed of representatives from all five continents) their commitment letter and pin prepared for this occasion. The President and his board turned to the St. Vincent de Paul Altar to deliver their commitments and take the official photo.

After the ceremony, the new council visited the tomb of Blessed Frederic Ozanam.

To read the speech of new president, Renato Lima de Oliveira, click here.

To watch the live broadcast, done by Ozanam TV’s team, click here.

Source: SSVP Global

New International Board members, pictured from left to right, Front row: Willin Alves – Brazil, Marie Françoise Saleysiani-Payet – France, Maria Luisa Tellez – Spain, Renato Lima de Oliveira – Brazil, Carmela Addante – Canada, Denilson Cardoso De Sa – Brazil;  Back Row: Larry Tuomey – Ireland, Sebastián Gramajo – Argentina, Joseph Pandian – India, Bertrand Ousset – France, Joseph Makwinja – Botswana, Graham West – Australia, Karl Hila – Philippines, Alfons Ten Velde – Netherlands, Julien Spiewak – France