Fr. Robert Prevost, O.S.A.
On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis named former Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Father Robert Prevost, O.S.A., Bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and a member of the Midwest Province, Father Prevost served as Prior General of the entire Order for two terms, from 2001-2013. After his return to the United States, he served as director of the formation house of theology in Chicago.
No stranger to Peru, Father Prevost served in various capacities in the Augustinian missions in Chulucanas and Trujillo from 1985 to 1998 (except for one year when he was vocation director and mission procurator in the United States). He served as chancellor of the Prelature of Chulucanas, as prior and director of the Augus- tinian formation house, and in the Diocese of Trujillo as judicial vicar, pastor, and director of studies for the diocesan seminary.
He returned to the United States in 1998 after having been elected Provincial of the Midwest Province, in which office he remained until his election as Prior General in 2001.
On December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, Apostolic Nuncio to Peru, Archbishop James Green, ordained Father Prevost as the fourth Bishop of the Dio- cese of Chiclayo. Twenty-three other bishops, including Bishop John McNabb, O.S.A., and Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A. (founding and current bishops of Chulucanas, respectively), participated in the rite that took place in the Catedrál Santa Maria. At the end of Mass, Prior General Alejandro Moral Antón, O.S.A., offered words of congratulations on behalf of all Augustinians.
The appointment of Bishop Prevost by Pope Francis is an indica- tion of the respect with which theAmerican Augustinians are held by the people of Northern Peru, whom they have served for over 50 years.
