On Friday, March 28, 2025, the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation elected the following members to the General Council:
- Fr. Silvio Roggia – General Councilor for Formation
- Fr. Rafael Bejarano – General Councilor for Youth Ministry.
- Fr. Fidel Maria Orendain – General Councilor for Social Communication
- Fr. Jorge Mario Crisafulli – General Councillor for the Missions
- Fr. Gabriel Stawowy – Economer General
Browse below for a brief biography of the newly elected and a concise description of their new roles.
Fr. Silvio Roggia Elected General Councilor for Formation
(ANS – Turin) – On the morning of Friday, March 28, 2025, during the first round of voting, the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation elected Fr. Silvio Roggia as the new General Councilor for Formation.
According to Article 135 of the Salesian Constitutions, “the General Councilor for Formation is responsible for promoting the integral and ongoing formation of the members. He follows with particular care the initial formation in its various phases, ensuring that the content, study structure, formation methods, and facilities provide the necessary conditions for the growth of the Salesian vocation.”
This is the responsibility now entrusted to Fr. Silvio Roggia, an Italian Salesian originally from Piedmont, like Don Bosco. He was born on July 4, 1963, in Novello, Province of Cuneo, within the Diocese of Alba.
He entered the Pinerolo-Monteoliveto novitiate in 1982 and made his first religious profession on September 8, 1983, later professing perpetual vows on May 5, 1989, in Turin.
After serving for several years in Salesian houses within his Province, he embarked on a missionary journey, dedicating himself to the service of poor youth in English-speaking West Africa (AFW). He worked as Novice Master first in Ondo, Nigeria (1999–2005) and later in Sunyani, Ghana (2005–2012).
In total, he spent nearly 20 years in Africa, from 1997 to 2016, also serving as Provincial Delegate for Formation (2013–2016) and Vicar (2010–2016) for the AFW Province.
He was later called to Rome, where from 2016 to 2022, he collaborated with his predecessor, Fr. Ivo Coelho, in the Formation Sector. During this period, he personally coordinated an extensive international research study involving over 4,000 Salesians—3,500 young members and 500 guides and formators—to deepen understanding of initial formation experiences and Salesian accompaniment in the field.
Since 2022, he has served as the Rector of the international Salesian community of theology students, “Zeffirino Namuncurá”, located in Rome, Via della Bufalotta, and as a Councilor of the “Maria Sede della Sapienza” Vice-Province at the Salesian Pontifical University.
Don Rafael Bejarano Elected as the New General Councilor for Youth Ministry
(ANS – Turin) – During the second round of voting on the morning of Friday, March 28, 2025, the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation elected Fr. Rafael Bejarano as the new General Councilor for Youth Ministry.
According to Article 136 of the Salesian Constitutions, “the General Councilor for Youth Ministry animates and guides Salesian educational and apostolic action in its various expressions, ensuring that youth remain the priority and that the Preventive System serves as the inspiration. He assists Provinces in developing their pastoral projects so that, faithful to Don Bosco’s spirit, they respond to the needs of the times and places.”
Fr. Rafael Bejarano Rivera, a Salesian from the “San Luis Bertrán” Province of Colombia-Medellín (COM), was born on December 1, 1977, in Buga, Colombia. He is the second of three children of Carlos Humberto Bejarano and Dioselina Rivera.
After studying at the “San Juan Bosco” Institute in Cali, he began his Salesian formation in the pre-novitiate in Rionegro (1995) and continued with his novitiate in La Ceja (1996), where he made his first religious profession on January 24, 1997. He later professed perpetual vows on January 12, 2003, in Medellín and was ordained a priest on December 2, 2006, in Cali.
He completed his philosophical and theological formation at the Pontifical Bolivarian University in Medellín and the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in “Social Enterprise Administration for Innovation and Local Development” and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in International Cooperation for Development at the Pontifical Comillas University in Madrid.
Throughout his ministry, Fr. Bejarano has held various roles:
Pastoral Coordinator at the “Hogar Jesús Adolescente” center in Buenaventura (2005)
Vicce Rector and Pastoral Coordinator at the “Don Bosco” Social Center in Barranquilla (2007)
Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry in COM (2010)
Rector of the “Ciudad Don Bosco” social work in Medellín (2013-2015, 2016-2018)
Provincial Councilor in COM for three consecutive terms (2013-2019)
Rector of the “San Juan Bosco” Institute in Dosquebradas (2019)
Since 2020, he has been collaborating in the Youth Ministry Sector at the Salesian Generalate in Rome, where he has primarily worked on coordinating Salesian Social Works and Services.
Fr. Fidel Maria Orendain Elected as General Councilor for Social Communication
(ANS – Turin) – The General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation has elected Fr. Fidel Maria Orendain as the new General Councilor for Social Communication. He currently serves as the Provincial of the “Mary Help of Christians” Province of Southern Philippines (FIS).
According to Article 137 of the Salesian Constitutions, “the General Councilor for Social Communication is responsible for animating the Congregation in this area. He promotes Salesian initiatives in the field of Social Communication and coordinates, at the global level, the centers and structures managed by the Congregation in this sector.”
Fr. Orendain, a Filipino Salesian, was born on April 24, 1965, in Manila, and is currently 59 years old. He completed his Salesian novitiate in Canlubang (1984-1985) and made his first profession on April 1, 1985. He professed perpetual vows on March 24, 1993, in Parañaque, where he was also ordained a priest on December 8, 1993.
From 2001 to 2003, he pursued Salesian Spirituality studies in Berkeley, California. He later earned a Master’s degree in Communication from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and a Doctorate in Communication from the University of the Philippines.
Within the FIS Province, Fr. Orendain has served at the Talisay-Lawa-an Formation Center, Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town, and the Provincial House in Talamban, Cebu City. In 2019, he was appointed Rector of Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town.
For over 20 years, he has been actively involved in Social Communication for the FIS Province. Additionally, he has held positions as President, Dean, and Vice Principal for Academics at Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town. He also served as Regional Coordinator for Region VII of the Philippine Catholic Education Association, overseeing 124 Catholic schools across the Visayas archipelago.
In March of last year, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, then Rector Major, appointed him as a member of the Pre-Chapter Commission of GC29, representing the East Asia–Oceania Region. During the initial days of the General Chapter, he was also selected as the Salesian responsible for drafting the summaries of the English Commission-1’s discussions.
Fr. Jorge Mario Crisafulli Elected as New General Councillor for the Missions
(ANS – Turin) – The 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation has elected Fr. Jorge Mario Crisafulli as the new General Councillor for the Missions. Until now, he has served as the Provincial Superior of the Africa Nigeria-Niger Province (ANN).
The primary responsibilities of the General Councillor for the Missions are outlined in Article 138 of the Salesian Constitutions: he is responsible for promoting missionary spirit and commitment throughout the Salesian Society, coordinating initiatives, and guiding missionary activities to respond to the needs of evangelization in a Salesian style. Additionally, he ensures the specific preparation and ongoing formation of missionaries.
Biography of Fr. Crisafulli
Born on March 19, 1961, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, to Salvatore Crisafulli and Gladia Gamberini, Fr. Crisafulli entered the “San Michele” novitiate in La Plata, where he made his first religious profession on January 31, 1980. Six years later, in 1986, he professed his perpetual vows in Junín de los Andes and was ordained a priest in Bahía Blanca on May 5, 1990.
After serving for a year as Vicar in the Villa Regina community in Southern Argentina, he worked for two years in Bahía Blanca before departing in 1996 as a missionary to West Africa, joining the Anglophone West Africa Province (AFW).
Missionary Work in Africa
Sunyani, Ghana (1998-2003) – First as Administrator (1998-99) and later as Rector (1999-2003).
Ashaiman, Ghana (2004-2009) – Served as Administrator (2004-06) and later as Rector of the Provincial House (2006-09).
Provincial Superior of AFW (2010-2016) – Led the Anglophone West Africa Province for six years.
Rector of Don Bosco Fambul, Sierra Leone (2016-2022) – Played a crucial role in expanding social outreach efforts, particularly for thousands of street children in Freetown.
First Provincial of the Nigeria-Niger Province (ANN) (2022-2025) – Led the newly established “St. Artemide Zatti” Province.
Fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian, Fr. Crisafulli now steps into his new role, bringing decades of missionary experience and leadership to the global Salesian Congregation.
Fr. Gabriel Stawowy Appointed as the New Economer General of the Salesian Congregation
(ANS – Turin) – On Friday, March 28, 2025, after a long day of voting, the 29th General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation elected Fr. Gabriel Stawowy from Poland as the new Economer General of the Congregation.
According to Article 139 of the Salesian Constitutions, “The Economer General administers the assets that do not belong to a specific province or house but to the entire Society. He coordinates and oversees provincial administrations, ensuring that their management aligns with the requirements of religious poverty and serves the Salesian mission. He also ensures compliance with the necessary regulations for proper administration.”
Biography of Fr. Gabriel Stawowy
Born on Christmas Day in 1966 in Miedźna, Diocese of Katowice, Poland, Fr. Stawowy is the son of Teofil Stawowy and Malgorzata Niesyto. He entered the Salesian novitiate in Kopiec in 1984 and made his first religious profession on August 22, 1985. He made his perpetual profession on August 10, 1991, in Rumia, and was ordained a priest on June 16, 1995, in Kraków.
Salesian Ministry and Leadership
Świętochłowice, Poland (1995-2002) – Served as House Councillor and Vice Rector.Nowa Huta, Kraków (2002-2011) – Rector for nine years while also serving as School Principal from 2006 to 2011.Salesian Province of Kraków (PLS) (2006-2022) – Held key leadership roles, including: Provincial Councillor (2006-2012); Delegate for Schools (2006-2012); Province Economer (2012-2022)Salesian Missions, New Rochelle, USA (2023-present) – Served as Assistant Director at the Salesian Mission Office.
Fr. Stawowy pursued further studies at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS) in Rome and at Berkeley, USA. He is fluent in Polish, Italian, and English.
As the new Economer General, he brings decades of financial and administrative expertise to ensure the responsible stewardship of Salesian resources in service of the Congregation’s mission worldwide.