Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, has appointed four Brothers who will begin their service in the Institute in the coming months.
Brother Peter Ryan will be the new Procurator of the Institute from 1 September 2025. Brother José Antonio Villalabeitia will undertake the office of Vice-Postulator from September 2024 to promote the specific cause of proclaiming Saint John Baptist de La Salle as Doctor of the Church.
In addition, Brother Sergio Leal will be the new Bursar General of the Institute from 1 September 2024, and Brother David Garcia will take over the role of Organisational Coordinator from 1 June 2024.
The following is a brief profile of the Brothers who will begin their collaboration with the Institute by residing at the Generalate in Rome:
Brother Peter Ryan
He was born in Australia in 1962. He belongs to the District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea (ANZPPNG). He received the habit of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1983, took his first vows in 1985 and pronounced his perpetual vows in 1990. He holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Fordham University, New York. He also holds a Master of Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity and a Master of Education from the Australian Catholic University. He has participated in international programmes of Lasallian Studies such as CIL in Rome and the Buttimer Institute of RELAN.
Brother Peter has served as a teacher, administrator and director in a number of Lasallian educational works in Australia and New Zealand. He has also been Community Director, District Council member, Director of Formation and Chapter Secretary. He is currently the President of three educational works in the District, where he is also a member of the Safeguarding Committee. He is also Professor of Theology at Catholic Theological College in Auckland (New Zealand) and Dean of Studies at Holy Cross National Seminary in Auckland (New Zealand).
Brother José Antonio Villalabeitia
He was born in Bilbao (Spain) in 1955 and belongs to the Arlep District. He was a student of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In 1974 he professed his first vows and in 1982 he made his final profession.
Brother José Antonio (Josean) holds a degree in Physics from the University of the Basque Country and a Doctorate in Theology from the Lateran University in Rome. He has been a teacher of Physics and Mathematics, as well as being directly involved in various pastoral activities and in the formation of candidates for the De La Salle Brothers. For 11 years he was a missionary in Africa, where he served in Equatorial Guinea, Togo and Ivory Coast.
He has also taught at the Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios “La Salle” (CSEULS), Aravaca-Madrid, and has conducted courses on Lasallian Studies in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Latin America and French-speaking Africa. He is currently editor of the District newsletter La Salle + allá and Director of the Lasallian NGO ‘Proyde-Proega’.
Brother Sergio Leal
He was born in Bucaramanga (Colombia) in 1983. He entered the Institute in 2002, made his first vows in 2005 and pronounced his perpetual vows in 2012. He holds a Degree in Religious Sciences from the Universidad De La Salle, Bogotá (Colombia), a Master’s Degree in Education from the Universidad Tecnológico, Monterrey (Mexico) and a Degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Externado, Colombia.
In his ministry as a Brother, Brother Sergio has served as a teacher of Religion and Ethics, pre-sacramental catechist, Coordinator of Conduct, Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry, Deputy Director and Director in some Lasallian schools. He has also been Secretary of Management and Organisation of the Lasallian Region of Latin America (RELAL). He currently serves as Executive Secretary of the General Council of the Institute.
Brother David García
He was born in Saltillo, Coahuila (Mexico) in 1984. He has been a Brother of the Christian Schools since 2004. His formative journey began in the CIZ La Salle de Saltillo, where he completed his initial and secondary education. He studied Educational Sciences at the Centro de Estudios Superiores La Salle de Monterrey (2009) and Situated Learning at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (2011). In 2013 he participated in the CIL on ‘Culture of Vocation’ in Rome (Italy). Subsequently, he participated in meetings on Youth Animation and Vocation Ministry, and on Formation and Accompaniment, organised by RELAL in 2016 and 2017, respectively, as well as in the experience of Formative Programs in Nairobi (Kenya), in 2018. He has also studied compassionate communication (CRUCES), skills for collaboration (Caplor Horizons), and training in compassionate integrity (Life University).
In his Lasallian career, Brother David has served as a volunteer in El Salto, Durango, a teacher in various schools in the District of Mexico Norte, where he has also been Coordinator of Pastoral Ministry for Children, Youth and Vocations. He has also been a member of the evangelisation and volunteer networks of RELAL, and of the Inter-District Committee Lasallians Without Borders, participating as a Delegate of La Salle in the ‘Volunteering on the Border’ project. He has also served as Director of the Colegio Miguel de Bolonia in San Juan de Lagos, Jalisco.
In expressing their best wishes to Brothers Peter, José Antonio, Sergio and David as they begin their service to the Institute, Brother Armin Luistro and the Brothers of the General Council express their special thanks to Brother Martín Rocha, who has served as Bursar General for the past few years. His work and experience have made a significant contribution to the Institute and to the goals set by recent General Chapters, always in the spirit of faith, fraternity and zeal. Thank you Brother Martín!
