In a July 1 ceremony at the Missionhurst Retreat House in Arlington, Father Charles Phukuta Khonde was installed as provincial superior of the U.S. province of the General Government of Missionhurst, Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Father Khonde succeeds Missionhurst Father Anselme Malonda Nkuanga, who was named pastor of Precious Blood Church in Culpepper by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde.

Father Khonde was born in Boma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dec. 24, 1965, to Matthew Khonde-Ndungi and Clementine Phukuta-Nkuanga. He is the third of nine children. He joined the Kinshasa province of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Oct. 7, 1989, and made his first religious vows a year later.

Father Khonde was assigned to the U.S. province in September 1993, where he continued to study English and Spanish. He later studied theology at the Oblate School in San Antonio and completed a yearlong pastoral internship at St. Martin de Porres Church in Alton, Texas.

Father Khonde was ordained to the priesthood at St. Martin de Porres Church May 8, 1999. He was appointed parochial vicar of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in La Joya, Texas, where he served until June 2002.

In 2002, Father Khonde led a team that started a new Missionhurst community in Raleigh, N. C. That same year he was appointed pastor of St. Eugene Church in Wendell, N.C.

In 2006, Father Khonde was appointed to a six-year term as secretary general of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rome.

Father Khonde has served on many boards and committees, including two terms on the Missionhurst provincial finance committee and one term on the U.S. provincial council. He also served on the board of directors for the Africa Faith and Justice Network, headquartered in Washington.