During its Oct. 18 meetings in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, the General Chapter of the Spiritans
elected the Rev. Alain Mayama, C.S.Sp., as the new Superior General of the Congregation.
He is the first African Spiritan to hold the position.
Duquesne University was founded by the Spiritans, then known as the Congregation of
the Holy Ghost, on Oct. 1, 1878.
The Superior General is the highest position of authority in the Spiritan Congregation
and, with his Council, is responsible for leading Spiritans around the world.
Mayama is a Duquesne alumnus, having earned his master's degree and Ph.D., and concluding
his time at the University in 2007. He then served as Chaplain of a hospital in Port
Huron, Michigan, before completing four years of mission work prior to joining the
General Council in Rome in 2012.
"Fr. Mayama is a wonderful choice and example of service to lead the Spiritans globally,"
said Duquesne University President Ken Gormley. "We certainly are delighted that a
Duquesne alumnus is the leader of the Congregation that founded and animates our University
today. We are equally proud of the record of service and leadership that Fr. Mayama
has built. Fr. Jim McCloskey and I had the privilege of meeting with him when we visited
Rome a few years ago, and his wisdom and humility will serve the Congregation well."
Mayama will have the mission of animating the more than 2,500 Spiritan Missionaries
working in more than 60 countries on five continents. He also will welcome and animate
the thousands of lay people who share Spiritan spirituality and mission.
Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities
for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly
8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them
work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic
programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh
region have earned national acclaim.
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