Development expert to lead Jesuits in PHL

Development expert Fr. Antonio Moreno has been named the new Father Provincial of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, to succeed Fr. Jose Magadia, SJ, who will move on to his new assignment in Rome as Fr. General's Counselor for Formation. "On 12 January 2013, Father General Adolfo Nicolas SJ has appointed me as the 11th Provincial to succeed Fr Magadia effective 12 June 2013," Moreno said in a memo to the Ateneo community on Monday.

Moreno holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University College of Wales and a Master in Philosophy of Development Studies from the University of Sussex. He went to Ateneo de Manila University for his AB Pre-Divinity and his MA in Theology. As Jesuit Provincial, Moreno will head the Philippine Mission of the Society of Jesus, founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. In 1965, Father Horatio dela Costa, SJ, became the first Filipino Provincial. In over 200 years, Jesuits in the Philippines have served in the different ministries of the Province, such as spirituality, education, formation, and communications. "Today the Philippine Province, in addition to all the works in the Philippines, sends young men once more to foreign missions: to Cambodia, Myanmar, and East Timor," the Philippine Mission website reads. "Genuine development involves peace and faith. One cannot promote genuine peace without taking on board the faiths of our people. In the same way, faith is empty in our context if there is no struggle for peace," Moreno had said during the 2007 Ateneo Awards. "Congratulations and our prayers are with you, Fr Tony!" Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) said on its Twitter account on Monday. "I thank Ateneo de Zamboanga University for teaching me what leadership is and for your support and friendship. It will not be easy for me to leave AdZU, my home for six years. Assuredly, I will continue to look after you from a distance through the AdZU Board and the new President," said Moreno, who is currently the president of AdZU. Moreno said the process of searching for the next president will commence as soon as he gets advice from Magadia and the AdZU Board of Trustees. However, he assured the community that there will be no moment of leadership vacancy in AdZU. Moreno is also  the vice president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines Board of Trustees, and the former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as Vice President for Social Development at his alma mater Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro. "Our assignments as Jesuits are simply missions that have to be done in the service of the Lord and his Church," Moreno said. — Carmela G. Lapeña/KBK, GMA News Online