With these appointments, the aim is to continue working on the apostolic mission of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi in this part of the world.

Father John Connor, L.C., General Director of the Legionaries of Christ, announced the appointment of Father Valentin Gögele, L.C., for a third three-year term as Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ in Western and Central Europe.

In the same letter, the appointment of Father Konstantin Ballestrem, L.C., as First Counselor and Territorial Vicar was announced. The other members of the Territorial Council were also communicated: Father Georg Rota, L.C. (renewed for a new term), Father Rogelio Villegas, L.C., and Father Justin Prigge, L.C.

In his message, Father John expressed gratitude to Father Martin Baranowski, L.C., Father Henri Duc-Maugé, L.C., and Father Klaus Einsle, L.C., who are concluding their terms as advisors in the Western and Central Europe Territory, highlighting their commitment and service to the territory.

The new territorial government will begin its three-year term on August 1, 2024.

Father Valentin Gögele, L.C.

Father Valentin was born on December 20, 1979, in Merano, Bolzano Province, Italy. He entered the Gozzano Novitiate in May 2000. He made his first profession in 2001 and his perpetual profession in 2007. He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. As a religious, he supported the formation of novices in Germany from 2004 to 2007.
 
On December 24, 2010, he was ordained a priest. He served as rector of the Vocational Center in Bad Münstereifel from 2011 to 2018 and as local apostolate coordinator in Rhineland from 2017 to 2020.

Regarding this new period leading the territory, Father Valentin states, “On the day of my call to the Legionary life, the first day of the year 2000, I spoke with a newly ordained priest, one who inspired me greatly to find my path, and I told him about my calling to be a priest, to be a Legionary of Christ. To my surprise, he looked at the crucifix in the reception area and said, well, are you willing to follow Him? My joy at feeling the call was clear: to follow Christ. Now, with the renewal as territorial director, I feel it is another step to follow Him, where He goes ahead to serve the territory, the Church, the Legion, and Regnum Christi. I am very grateful and confident that God will work.”

He added, “In the territory, God has been working wonders through much dedication and perseverance in apostolic work. There, where we are present as Legion and Regnum Christi, we can help God bring light, warmth, peace, and encouragement to people and families. Wherever we are present, there are places and homes that comfort, encourage, and form; places where today’s Christian can experience community and the love of God, to be a disciple and missionary, light and salt.”

Father Konstantin Ballestrem, L.C.

Father Konstantin Ballestrem, L.C., was born on August 8, 1973, in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He entered the novitiate in Bad Münstereifel in 1996, and after his first religious profession, he studied Humanities in Salamanca, Spain. He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. As a religious, he supported novice assistants in Germany from 2001 to 2004 and as an assistant to philosophers and theologians.

He received diaconal ordination on June 29, 2006, and priestly ordination on December 24 of the same year. From 2010 to 2021, he served as instructor of novices in Germany.

Since summer 2021, he has been the director of the Spirituality Center in Königstein.

Father Georg Rota, L.C.

Father Georg Rota, L.C., was born on November 7, 1981, in Kempten in Allgäu, Bavaria, Germany, as the third of six children. In 2002, he entered the novitiate and was ordained a priest on December 14, 2013. He studied classical humanities in Cheshire, philosophy in Thornwood, and theology in Rome. He completed his apostolic practices as a novice and humanist teacher in Cheshire.
 
Since his priestly ordination, he has been director of the youth section in Bavaria and later director of the adult sections and local director of Bavaria. He helped found the ApostelHaus in Alzgern. Since September 2020, he has been superior of the Vienna community and is pursuing postgraduate studies in theology at the University of Vienna. Currently, he is conducting research on structures of abuse of power and conscience in new Church movements. Additionally, he has specialized at the Saint Catherine of Siena Institute on the ordinary and extraordinary charisms of the Holy Spirit and assists as a guide in discerning personal charisms.
 
Since 2021, he has been collaborating in governance as a territorial counselor for the Legionaries of Christ in Western and Central Europe.

Father Rogelio Villegas, L.C.

Father Rogelio Villegas, L.C., was born on April 13, 1983, in Yarumal, Antioquia, Colombia. He entered the Vocational Center in Rionegro in 1996 and completed his novitiate in Medellín. After his first religious profession, he studied Humanities in Salamanca, Spain. He was then sent to assist with the vocational tour in France. He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. As a religious, he served as assistant to the secretary in the General Directorate and in the communications office.

He was ordained deacon on June 29, 2015, and ordained priest on December 12 of the same year. During his apostolic ministry, he has served as Director of the Ecyd in Paris, member of the pastoral team at Notre Dame de Auteuil, and since 2021, he has been serving as pastor of Notre Dame de Boulogne.

Father Justin Prigge, L.C.

Father Justin Prigge, L.C., was born on November 13, 1987, in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. In 2001, he entered the Vocational Center in New Hampshire. On September 15, 2004, he began his novitiate in Bad Münstereifel, Germany. After his first religious profession, he studied Classical Humanities in Salamanca, Spain, and completed his Bachelor’s in Philosophy in Rome. He completed three years of apostolic practices as prefect at the Sacred Heart Apostolic in Rolling Prairie, Indiana. He made his perpetual profession on August 20, 2015. He studied for a license in Philosophy and a Bachelor’s in Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum while collaborating with the General Directorate of the Legion of Christ.

He was ordained deacon on July 7, 2018, and priest on May 4, 2019. Since summer 2018, he has been serving his apostolic ministry in Budapest, Hungary. In 2021, he was appointed superior of the community.

Let us entrust our Lord Jesus Christ with the apostolic and missionary work entrusted to them, praying that the light and warmth of Christ may reach everyone.