Friars Vote at Provincial Chapters to Petition for Union
Friar Justin Biase and Friar James McCurry (left to right)
This month, friars from two Conventual Franciscan Provinces – St. Anthony of Padua Province and Immaculate Conception Province – met at a hotel in Buffalo, New York for their Provincial Chapters. The fact that both provinces held their Chapters in one place was very unique and had to do with their plans for the future.
The moment after the friars voted with a majority for their two provinces to unite
On one of the Chapter days – the whole Chapter lasted one week – friars from both provinces came together and voted with a majority on a petition, which is to be submitted to their next General Chapter in 2013. The petition asks the General Chapter to allow St. Anthony of Padua Province and Immaculate Conception Province to unite and form a new province. If the General Chapter approves the petition, the new province will begin its existence in 2014.
Over the last several years, it has been concluded that the friars will be able to better fulfill their ministries as members of one province, serving their communities from Ontario to North Carolina to Florida and from Costa Rica to Jamaica and Brazil.
Friars spent a lot of time in conversation
During the Chapters in Buffalo, Minister General Friar Marco Tasca installed Friar Justin Biase as Minister Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province and Friar James McCurry as Minister Provincial of St. Anthony of Padua Province. Both men had been elected to their positions during earlier elections.
(Sources of all related photos on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscan friars.) |
