The new leadership team of the Faithful Companions of Jesus started their mandate on 2nd February 2026, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and a day in which we celebrate the gift of consecrated life to the Church and world. The previous leadership team and the new team gathered at Gumley House Convent, the Generalate, for a prayer service of transition of leadership.
The general leadership team was elected during the 2025 General Chapter.
Sr Patricia Binchy, fcJ – General Superior
Sr. Patricia is originally from Charleville, Co. Cork, Ireland, where she attended St Anne’s Primary School, Charleville with the Sisters of Mercy. She then attended the FCJ school in Limerick City, Laurel Hill Coláiste.
She entered the FCJ Society in 1973 and made her novitiate in Broadstairs, Kent. Later, she studied French and Irish at University College Dublin where she also completed her Higher Diploma in Education. At Columbia University, New York, Patricia studied for an MA in Educational Administration. She then completed a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies at Heythrop College, London.
Patricia has lived and ministered in several of the countries in which FCJ sisters are present. These include Ireland, England, France, Canada, Bolivia, Argentina and the USA. She has worked as a secondary school teacher in FCJ Bunclody, Ireland, and as school principal at Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Ireland. She has also worked in pastoral ministry in Argentina. Patricia speaks several languages including Irish, English, Spanish, and French.
She has experience in leadership as local leader in Salta, Argentina and Paris, France; Province and Area Leader in the Americas and Europe; and most recently, as General Assistant.
For the last six years, she has also worked closely with the International Coordinators of FCJ Companions in Mission. She has generously offered them support and encouragement in developing their own unique identity. In addition, she has helped Companions to grow in their understanding of how to live out, and give expression to the FCJ charism as CiM.
Patricia has shared her many skills generously in leadership for several years. She is a woman of deep faith with a capacity for holding complex situations peacefully and with wisdom.
Sr Afra Primadiana, fcJ – General Assistant
Sr Afra was born in West Papua, Indonesia, and educated in Jakarta where she completed graduate studies in Mathematics. After entering the Society in Yogyakarta, she completed a Master’s degree in Theology at Sanata Dharma University. Afra did parish work in Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia and volunteered with the Jesuit Refugee Service Indonesia. During her time in Ende, Indonesia and Manila in the Philippines, she worked in youth ministry. Afra is a very gifted muscian and has experience in formation ministry with newer members of the Faithful Companions of Jesus. She has been Local Leader and is currently the Area Leader for the FCJ Sisters in the Area of Asia.
Sr Clare Hand, fcJ – General Assistant
Sr Clare comes from Port Clarence, Co. Durham, England, then later from Middlesbrough, Teesside. She attended St Joseph’s Convent Grammar School FCJ and English Martyrs Comprehensive School, both of which were in Hartlepool. Clare gained a BA in Theology from the University of Manchester. She then completed Master’s Degrees in Pastoral Theology, and Religion and Education at Heythrop College London and St Mary’s College, Twickenham respectively. Clare entered the FCJ Society in 1986 and enjoyed teaching Religious Education for eight years in Gumley House FCJ School. She was missioned to Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1997. Much of Clare’s time in Yogyakarta has been in formation ministry and spiritual accompaniment.
Sr Judith Routier, fcJ – General Assistant
Sr. Judith is originally from Jersey, Channel Islands. She began her ministry as an FCJ teaching in a primary school in England. Judith subsequently spent ten years in Sierra Leone, teaching and working for the Kenema Diocese. After leaving Sierra Leone, Sr. Judith spent many years in the Philippines training leaders for Basic Ecclesial Communities. She was Province Leader of Asia-Australia. Most recently, she has been General Assistant to Sr Bonnie Moser. During this time she was also General Secretary and Area Leader for the Area of the Americas.
