On Monday evening, July 11, 2022, the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana began its Ordinary Custodial Chapter. The first session got off to a good start with all the Capitulars present.
All forty-three Capitulars came together in full spirit and fraternal style. Others present included the Assistant General for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF), Friar Anthony Bezo KUTIERO; the Minister Provincial of our Mother Province, the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI; the Provincial Econom, Friar Giancarlo CAPITANIO; and Friar Valerio FOLLI. The first session of the Chapter concluded with the election of the Provincial Custos and the Custodial Definitory.
As expected, the general atmosphere before the election was quite fraternal. When the day of elections was over, the Capitulars had clearly placed their trust and confidence in the following friars for the next quadrennium: Friar Vitus Edem Yao MENSAH – Provincial Custos; Friar Emmanuel Kofi OCRAN – Vicar Custos; Friar Francis Pascal AFFUM – Custodial Secretary; Friar Daniel PAL, Jr. – Custodial Econom; and Friar Moses Kabenla ARTHUR – Definitor.
The Capitulars also voted positively for Friar Pius Kofi ASARE as the Custodial Exactor, after the Provincial Custos had proposed him.
All praise and glory to the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for guiding us successfully through the first session of the Chapter. We continually pray for strength as we prepare for the second part of the Chapter, which is scheduled for July 24-29, 2022.
May our Seraphic Father Francis guide us along the new path of the Custody!
Friar Emmanuel Kofi OCRAN
