Rome, Italy, Jun 23, 2009 / 14:11 pm
During a press conference at the conclusion of their 187th General Chapter, the Order of Friars Minor O.F.M. announced that the current Minister General, Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo, has been elected to a second term.
It was also announced that Father Michael Anthony Perry has been elected as Vicar General.
During the press conference, Fr. Rodriguez explained that by 2015 the Friars Minor will establish a presence in some areas of the former Soviet Union, Laos, Cambodia, Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana.
He also said that next week an open letter would be sent to the Secretary General of the U.N. regarding the conflict taking place in Sri Lanka and asking for intervention to help civilians.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Minister General gave to all present a copy of a DVD commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan order, which recounts the missionary, pastoral and charitable works carried out by the 15,000 friars present in more than 110 countries.