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New Missionhurst leadership

For The Catholic Herald

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.

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