General Chapter MMVII

Daily Bulletin

Monday 10 September

After a free day on Sunday 9 September, the Chapter delegates returned refreshed and reinvigorated for the second week of their work. The morning was spent discussing the Order’s finances, with the help of lay advisors and consultants, while the afternoon was dedicated to the Procurator General’s report and to the work of the Commission on the Government of the Order.

Tuesday 11 September

The members of the Chapter continued to discuss the proposals of the Government commission, both in groups and in the plenary sessions.

Wednesday 12 September

A large part of the day was spent discussing and voting on proposals regarding the structure of the government of the Order. The Chapter decided to modify the geographical areas for which the General Councillors are responsible. From now on, there will be one councillor for Europe, one for the Americas, one for Asia/Australia/Oceania and one for Africa. The other members of the council remain the same: prior general, vice prior general, procurator general and bursar general.

In the evening the Chapter delegates met in groups to discern a list of candidates for various offices.

Thursday 13 September

Today the Chapter members elected a new Prior General, Father Fernando Millan Romeral from Spain Father Fernando is 45 years old and before his election was a university lecturer in Madrid. The Chapter also elected Christian Korner to serve a Vice General, Josef Jančář as Procurator General and Kevin Alban as Bursar General. Later in the day, the delegates met in groups according to their geographical areas: Europe, the Americas, Asia/Australia/Oceania and Africa to discuss candidates for the four General Councillors that make up the Curia.

Friday 14 September

The Chapter proceeded with elections of the General Councillors from the four geographical areas into which the Order is divided. The following were elected:

Africa                                      Fr. Desiré Unen Alimange

The Americas                        Fr. Raul Maraví

Asia-Australia-Oceania       Fr. Albertus Herwanta

Europe                                   Fr. John Keating

The newly elected Prior General presided over Mass in the evening, accompanied by his Council. Members of the Carmelite family were also present at this celebration, including a group of prioresses from the enclosed nuns, the mothers general of many of the congregations of Carmelite sisters and representatives of a number of lay groups which are part of the wider Order.

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