Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Assisi (Fides Service) – Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo is the new minister general of the Order of Friars Minor. He was elected on June 5 by the Chapter gathered in Assisi from May 25 to June 21 to reflect on the theme “Fraternity in Mission”. The election was presided by the Papal Delegate Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez. In the historical order, Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo is the 119th successor of Saint Francis.
A 50 year old Spaniard, for the past six years Father Carballo has been General Definator and Secretary General for Formation and Studies. Previously he served as Minster of the Franciscan Province of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and President of the Union of Friars Minor of Europe.
The new Minister General will have the task of directing the life of more than 16,000 Friars Minor working in 110 countries on the five continents. Today the Friars reflect especially on their specific “style of mission” which, as Pope John Paul II said in his message for the Chapter, must be “based on poverty and community life, animated by a spirit of contemplation and sincere search for justice, peace and respect for creation”. The Holy Father urged the followers of Saint Francis to open to mission, faithful to the charisma of Francis, and not to be deterred by difficulties; to intensify prayer and the “search for new pastoral and vocational strategies”. “Be men with a passion for Christ and his Gospel – he told them - men of unceasing prayer and joyful witnesses of a radical decision for the Kingdom of God…Be faithful to your special charisma, opening at the same time with wisdom and prudence to the demands of the apostolate of our day”.
The General Chapter will be received in audience by the Pope on June 16. During their Chapter the Friars received messages also from Cardinal Carlo-Maria Martini, formerly Archbishop of Milan, and Hon. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission. PA (Fides Service 5/6/2003 EM lines 41 Words: 505)
