ROME — The June issue of Fraternitas, the General Curia’s newsletter, highlights General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, as well as new leadership in OFM provinces around the globe.
Fr. Michael was elected May 22, succeeding Fr. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, who is now serving as secretary of the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Institutes of Apostolic Life. The American friar gave his first homily as General Minister on May 23, speaking about how the Friars Minor “do not have to rely on any other strength other than that of the Spirit of God,” according to the newsletter. Fr. Michael continued, saying that in today’s world, “young people are hungry for a meaningful life; the elderly are thirsty for someone to give them new spaces in life; the poor and marginalized are eager to be recognized in their human dignity; and we friars always need a shared and fraternal witness of God’s mercy.”
At the end of his homily, he stressed the importance of becoming “a prophetic fraternity that bears witness to the sacramental presence of God, learning together how to read the desires and sufferings of our times, and letting ourselves live by the Gospel, who is Jesus Christ himself.”
A date for the selection of a new General Vicar has yet to be set.
In other news from the Order, the newsletter introduced 13 recently elected provincial ministers of provinces in Northern and Eastern Europe, South America, and the Philippines.
The monthly newsletter also reports information about:
• The authorization of a decree by Pope Francis attributing a miracle to the intercession of the Ven. Maria Cristina of Savoy. The tomb of the Venerable Queen of Naples is kept by the Friars Minor in the Basilica of St. Clare in Naples, Italy
• Preparations for the International Congress for the Secretaries of Formation and Studies, to be held Sept. 8 to 22 in Italy
• The 14th gathering of canonists of the Anglican Communion and Catholic Church communities, which took place April 26 to 27
— Compiled by Maria Hayes