Biography

Brother René Stockman was born at Assenede on 13 May 1954. His father was a blacksmith. His mother ran the household. He was their only son.

Depending on his schedule, the Superior General resides either in Rome (Italy) or in Ghent. However, most of the time he is flying from one end of the world to another in order to meet, encourage, advise, and inspire the local Brothers of Charity.

Fratelli della Carità - Casa Generalizia Via Giambattista Pagano 35 I - 00167 Roma Telephone * 39 0666 04901  Fax * 39 0666 31466

Stropstraat 119 B - 9000 Gent. Telephone * 32 9 221 45 45  Fax * 32 9 221 98 89 e-mail:   rene.stockman.fc@fracarita.org

 

Education

 

At secondary school, he did economic studies. He was a pupil at St Laurence’s in Zelzate. Subsequently, he did his noviciate with the Brothers of Charity at Sint-Maria-Aalter. He obtained a nursing degree and a Master’s degree in medical and social sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven. His thesis was devoted to the theme of mental healthcare in Rwanda and Burundi. Later on, he also obtained the certificate that was necessary to work as a teacher himself. Finally, he did a doctorate on social healthcare at the Catholic University of Leuven. The theme of his thesis was the position of religious in the world of mental healthcare.

 

Professional and Religious Career

 

In the course of his career, he was head of the nursing department at the Medical-Pedagogical Institute St Julian’s in Ghent, head of the Psychiatric Nursing Institute in Ghent, General Director of the Psychiatric Centre Dr. Guislain, Inspector and General Manager of the Psychiatric Institutes and Medical-Pedagogical Institutes of the Brothers of Charity.

Finally, he also participated in the management of the congregation through first becoming a member of the provincial council, and later on Provincial Superior and Superior General (since 2000).

In addition to all those activities, Brother René Stockman also worked as lecturer at various schools, universities, and institutes, was editor or chief editor of a series of specialized periodicals, and president of a number of committees, working groups, and organizations.

Finally, the Superior General is a prolific writer who has published hundreds of articles and at least several dozens of books. Please find below a detailed list of articles and books (most of them in Dutch).