Missionaries of God's Love Elected New Moderator
Fr David Callaghan has been selected to lead the congregation for a four-year term starting in 2026.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Catholicism
The Missionaries of God's Love (MGL) have elected Fr David Callaghan to serve as their new Moderator. He succeeds Fr Stephen Fletcher and will lead the order during its 40th anniversary year.
Why it matters
The election of a new leader marks a significant transition for the MGL as the congregation enters its fifth decade of religious mission work. Fr Callaghan will oversee the order's ongoing operations and development across multiple international sites.
The MGL consists of over 40 priests and brothers and currently has 30 men in formation. Fr Callaghan, a member for 26 years, will serve a four-year term.
The players
Fr David Callaghan
He is the newly elected Moderator of the Missionaries of God's Love and serves as a parish priest in Darwin.
Fr Stephen Fletcher
He is the predecessor who previously held the position of Moderator for the Missionaries of God's Love.
Fr Ken Barker
He is the founder who established the Missionaries of God's Love congregation in 1986.
Missionaries of God's Love
This is a religious congregation founded in 1986 that operates missions in Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
The details
Fr Callaghan currently serves as a parish priest at Holy Spirit Parish in Darwin. The MGL operates missions throughout Australia, including Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney, as well as international sites in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Timeline
The MGL congregation was founded in 1986.
The congregation reached its 40th anniversary in 2026.
Fr David Callaghan will serve as Moderator for the next four years.
Culture Shift
The election represents the latest leadership transition in a cycle of governance established since the Missionaries of God's Love 1986 founding. This change reflects the ongoing evolution of the order as it maintains its international mission footprint.
The leadership change may influence the administrative direction of parish life for congregants and communities served by the MGL. Supporters can anticipate new priorities as the order navigates its next four-year term.
The takeaway
The election provides continuity for the order as it moves into its fifth decade of operation under new guidance. Members and followers will look to the new Moderator to shape the congregation's future initiatives and outreach.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving leadership and structure within the church, visit the Catholicism section.
