Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Assisi (Agenzia Fides) – This morning, June 4, the assembly of the 152 representatives of the Order of Friars Minor gathered in Saint Mary of the Angels of Assisi, for the General Chapter, confirmed Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo as the superior for the nearly 15,000 Franciscan religious living in 113 nations in the world. The rite of election was presided by the Holy Father's delegate, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, who presented the new elect with “the seal of all the Order of Friars Minor.” The 187th General Chapter of the Order of Friars Minor, which took place in Assisi, began on May 24 and will conclude on June 20. Its theme is: “Preachers of God's Word to the Whole World.”
Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo is from Spain and was born August 11, 1953. He has served as Minister General since 2003. He previously ministered as follows: General Definitor and General Secretary for Formation and Studies; Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Santiago de Compostela (Spain); President of the Union of Friars Minor in Europe and as Director of young religious in formation. His academic curriculum is also significant: after having received a License in Biblical Theology in Jerusalem and a License in Sacred Scripture in Rome, he taught these subjects in the major seminary in the Spanish city of Vigo and in the Theological Faculty of Santiago de Compostela. Br. José Rodriguez Carballo is the 119th successor of Saint Francis. Till 2015 he will lead the 15,000 members of the Order of Friars Minor. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2009)
