Spanish Jesuit priest Miguel Garaizábal Fontenla has been named new superior of the Jesuit region in Thailand.
Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Society of Jesus, appointed Father Garaizábal regional superior starting Jan. 1, 2021, the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific reported on Dec. 14.
Father Garaizábal will succeed Father Agustinus Sugiyo Pitoyo, SJ, who was regional superior since 2012.
Born on July 10, 1942, in La Coruña, Spain, Father Garaizábal entered the Society of Jesus in 1959.
In 1966, he came to Thailand, a nation that currently has nearly 400,000 Catholics.
After completing theology at De Nobili College in Pune, India, and spirituality studies at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained in the Thai capital of Bangkok in 1972. He later went to the Philippines for tertianship.
In his 61 years as a Jesuit, Father Garaizábal has held various roles in the society, including as regional superior of Thailand from 1984 to 1990.
In the past he has also been a student chaplain, local superior, retreat giver, spiritual director, and pastor,” said the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific report.
“Besides currently being socius to the major superior of Thailand, Father Garaizábal continues to be involved in the local Church through the spiritual guidance of seminarians, ongoing formation of the clergy, and the child protection and theological commissions of the Church,” it added.
