Father Benedict Grière, 52, was elected Wednesday, May 11th Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption, during the 32nd General Chapter of the congregation being held in Rome.

Fr. Benedict succeeds Richard Lamoureux, which has just completed two terms of six years as head of the congregation.

Benoît Grière was born on May 22, 1958, in Chauny (France). After completing his secondary education in Epernay (Marne), he studied medicine at Reims (1976-85) and, simultaneously, began his studies in Philosophy in preparation for the priesthood (1981-87).

He pursued his theological studies at the Seminary of Reims (1987-89) and then at the Catholic Institute of Paris (1989-93). He holds a Masters Degree in Theology.

He did his military service in Dakar (Senegal), as research assistant at the Orstom Institute, nutrition section (1985-86).

He entered the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists) in 1991 having completed his Novitiate in Sceaux (Hauts-de-Seine) and he was ordained a priest in 1995 in Epernay.

In 1995, he was named to Madagascar as coordinator of health services in the diocese of Toliara and, in 1999, became professor of Theology in the Seminary of Fianarantsoa. He also served as pastor, prison physician and director for the Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation. In 1998, he was named to the ethics committee for the Catholic Church in Madagascar.

He returned to France in 1999 as First Assistant to the Provincial of France, with specific responsibility for Bayard Press (2002-2005). Since 2005, he has been the Superior of the Province of France for the Augustinians of the Assumption, a Province which today comprises 252 members, in 41 communities, in France as well in Eastern Europe, Italy (Florence), the Near East, Africa (Togo) and Asia (Korea, Vietnam).

Fr. Benoît Grière is a Knight of the National Order of Merit (France).

His favorite hobby is reading mystery novels.