Fr Juan Vecchi

Juan Edmundo Vecchi Monti, priest: born Viedma, Argentina 23 June 1931; ordained priest 1958; Rector Major, Salesians of Don Bosco 1996-2002; died Rome 23 January 2002.

Juan Vecchi was the first non- Italian to become Rector Major of the Catholic Salesian congregation. The congregation, founded in 1859 by Don Bosco, now 17,000-strong and working in 128 countries, concentrates on education and serving young people, a field dear to Vecchi's heart.

Although much of his life was devoted to administration within the congregation, and theological writing, Vecchi loved nothing more than visiting his brothers in schools, youth clubs and at work among street children. He took over the leadership in March 1996 at the time of the congregation's 24th General Chapter, after six years as vicar general. He was the eighth successor to Don Bosco.

The youngest of seven children of a family of Italian emigrants who moved, to escape poverty, from Emilia Romagna to Argentina at the turn of the 20th century, Vecchi decided early he wished to join the Salesians, who were active in his home town. His uncle, Artemide Zatti, was a Salesian brother who died in 1951 and will be beatified in April.

The young Vecchi made his first vows at Fortìn Mercedes in Patagonia in 1947, before studying theology at Turin (then the congregation's headquarters), where he was ordained priest in 1958. In the same year he obtained his licentiate in theology, specialising in the study of pastoral work among the young.

He returned to Argentina to serve in various Salesian seminaries and colleges before becoming rector at Viedma in 1965. In 1972 he began his long service – some 30 years – as a member of the General Council. From 1972 to 1978 he was Regional Councillor for the Atlantic part of Latin America, entailing frequent visits from headquarters in Rome to Salesian houses across the continent. From 1978 to 1990 he was Councillor General for Youth Pastoral Work.

As Rector Major, Vecchi chose "working with the laity" as the theme of the 25th General Chapter (which opens next month). Professing themselves to be "signs and bearers" of the love of God to young people, the Salesians needed to maintain three components in a close relationship, Vecchi emphasised, the testimony of spirituality, community life and action among the young.

Although ailing with cancer in his last two years, Vecchi continued to write what many regarded as his finest work, on coping with suffering and being alert to the signs of the times. Strongly committed to the Salesians' vocation of helping especially poor and marginalised young people, the well-educated Vecchi was regarded as an inspirational writer, who could relate theological developments to pastoral work with the young, an efficient administrator and a pastoral leader who knew how to listen. He remained a vocal advocate of the laity in the work not only of his congregation but of the wider Church.

Felix Corley