(ANS – Italy–Turin, 28 March 2025) – The General Chapter of the Salesian Congregation has elected Fr. Fidel Maria Orendain as the new General Councilor for Social Communication. He currently serves as the Provincial of the “Mary Help of Christians” Province of Southern Philippines (FIS).
According to Article 137 of the Salesian Constitutions, “the General Councilor for Social Communication is responsible for animating the Congregation in this area. He promotes Salesian initiatives in the field of Social Communication and coordinates, at the global level, the centers and structures managed by the Congregation in this sector.”
Fr. Orendain, a Filipino Salesian, was born on April 24, 1965, in Manila, and is currently 59 years old. He completed his Salesian novitiate in Canlubang (1984-1985) and made his first profession on April 1, 1985. He professed perpetual vows on March 24, 1993, in Parañaque, where he was also ordained a priest on December 8, 1993.
From 2001 to 2003, he pursued Salesian Spirituality studies in Berkeley, California. He later earned a Master’s degree in Communication from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and a Doctorate in Communication from the University of the Philippines.
Within the FIS Province, Fr. Orendain has served at the Talisay-Lawa-an Formation Center, Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town, and the Provincial House in Talamban, Cebu City. In 2019, he was appointed Rector of Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town.
For over 20 years, he has been actively involved in Social Communication for the FIS Province. Additionally, he has held positions as President, Dean, and Vice Principal for Academics at Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town. He also served as Regional Coordinator for Region VII of the Philippine Catholic Education Association, overseeing 124 Catholic schools across the Visayas archipelago.
In March of last year, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, then Rector Major, appointed him as a member of the Pre-Chapter Commission of GC29, representing the East Asia–Oceania Region. During the initial days of the General Chapter, he was also selected as the Salesian responsible for drafting the summaries of the English Commission-1’s discussions.