On May 24-28, 2021, the 32nd Ordinary Provincial Chapter of the Province of the Seraphic Father St. Francis in Italy (Naples) was held at the Sant’Antonio Friary in Nocera Inferiore, Italy.
The Chapter was presided over by the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI. Others present included the Assistant General for the Federazione Inter-mediterranea Ministri Provinciali (FIMP), Friar Giovanni VOLTAN; the Visitator General, Friar Matteo ORNELLI (for one day); and the Procurator General, Friar Maurizio DI PAOLO.
The Chapter began with a meditation led by Friar Vincenzo IPPOLITO, OFM, on the theme “Franciscan Presence and Itinerancy in the Current Ecclesial Context.”
On May 25-26, the Chapter dedicated time to reading of the various reports as set forth in the Directory for the Celebration of Chapters and having discussion in the Assembly. Three guiding questions were studied in depth in the study groups, bearing in mind Motion No. 15 of the 2019 General Chapter (asking that the Province of Naples “continue on its path of reformation and redesign to insert itself, in the future, into the restructuring of the Italian Jurisdictions of the Order”). The questions concerned: 1) the priorities for the Province; 2) planning for economic management and works; 3) redesigning /resizing the presences.
On May 27, the election of the Minister Provincial took place, with friars from the various friaries participating. Friar Cosimo ANTONINO was immediately elected for a second term on the first ballot.
On May 28, the last day of the Chapter, the Capitulars approved a summary with an evaluation and suggestions for the second part of the Chapter. Then, the election of the Provincial Definitors took place. On the proposal of the Minister Provincial, the Capitulars elected Friars Michele ALFANO, Cirylle KPALAFIO, Claudio JORIS, Gabriel PANGILINAN and Luigi CARILLO. Friar Michele was then elected Vicar Provincial while Friar Cirylle was elected Provincial Secretary. The Minister Provincial requested that the election of the Provincial Econom take place during the second part of the Chapter.
At the end of the Chapter the Most Reverend Francescantonio NOLÈ, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy, and the Most Reverend Giuseppe GIUDICE, Bishop of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, Italy, offered their greetings and best wishes to Friar Cosimo, the new Definitory and the Capitulars.
The second part of the Chapter was convoked for August 2, 2021.
Friar Luigi CARILLO, Chapter Secretary
