South African Franciscans Elect New Leadership
By Paddy Noonan OFM – Franciscans (OFM) from Southern Africa assembled this month at La Verna Retreat Centre, Johannesburg to discuss their way forward on the southern tip of Africa.
Franciscans worldwide hold these triennial conferences, called Chapters, since the time of St Francis of Assisi, their 13th-century founder.
Leading the Chapter was Rome delegate, called visitator, Br Praveen Dsouza from India. Pretoria-based Br Ashley Tillik was the general-secretary of the chapter.
Two Franciscan bishops, Archbishop Emeritus William Slattery of Pretoria and Bishop Vincent Zungu Port Elizabeth gave intense spiritual inputs during the deliberations.
Among the reports tabled at the gatherings were: pastoral commitments, prayer life, projects, welfare, mentoring of young friars, evangelisation, vocations, our missions, available manpower, sustainability (financial matters), and Justice and Peace issues.
The following friars were elected to leadership for Southern Africa: Br Siphelele Gwanisheni as provincial, Br Ndumiso Khumalo as vicar-provincial, and to the Council (called definitors) Brs Ndumiso Zuma, Clement Kholopa, Leeto Mabope, Keketso Mothuli and Mawethu Potolwana.
In the context of Franciscans, all friars are titled Brother, including ordained priests.
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