Fr Charles Serrao OCD, re-elected as the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province

Fr Charles Serrao OCD, re-elected as the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province

Fr Charles Serrao OCD, re-elected as the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelites

Bengaluru: The 13 Provincial Chapter of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Karnataka-Goa Province has re-elected Fr Charles Serrao as the Provincial Superior for the next triennium (2017 – 2020).

Fr Charles Serrao, OCD was born on 26 August 1950 at Vamadapav, Diocese of Mangaluru. He made his first religious profession on March 19, 1971 and was ordained a priest on December 23, 1978. After the formation of the Karnataka-Goa Province in 1981, he held the offices of Director of the Aspirants at the Vocation Home – Mangaluru, Master of Theology Students – Mangaluru, Vocation Promoter and Provincial Councillor. He obtained a Licentiate in Psychology and Pedagogy from Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and a Diploma of Specialization in Consecrated Life at ‘Claretianum’, an Institute of Theology for Religious Life, in Rome. He also holds a Diploma in Human Growth and Development Relationships, Spiritual Counselling Skills, Community Living from the Institute of St Anselm, London.

On his return to India, Fr Serrao was again elected Provincial Councillor and appointed as Master of Philosophy Students – Mysuru. In the General Chapter of 1991, he was elected Definitor General in Rome and then re-elected for a second sexennium in 1997. On completion of this assignment, he was appointed Rector of Collegio Teologico Internazionale OCD, in Rome where he continued for 11 years. During his 25 years as a priest, he worked 13 years in the formation of the seminarians, both in India and Rome.

Fr Serrao has teaching experience in the Philosophy College in India and in ‘Teresiamun’, the Pontifical Institute of Spirituality – Rome. He has also wide experiences in giving seminars, especially on the formation and religious life. He has closely collaborated in the formation of the Discalced Carmelite Friars and Cloistered Nuns as General Councillor and Religious Assistant.

Since 2014 he has been the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelites.

The Karnataka-Goa Province comprises the civil states of Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. There is a mission in Tanzania and we have communities in Italy, South Africa and Canada. Individual friars also serve in other Carmelites Provinces and Dioceses around the world. There are at present 190 friars and 109 students information.

by Stifan Alvin Perera, OCD