MANILA, May 7, 2013—A Filipino Franciscan from the San Pedro Bautista Province was elected President of the East Asian Conference (EAC) of the Franciscan congregation.
Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM, current minister provincial of the Order of Friars Minor in the Philippines was named head of the Conference in an election held last April 22. The result of the election was released only last May 2, Thursday.
Election of Minister General in Rome
With the appointment of the OFM Minister General Jose Carballo last month as Secretary of the Congregation for Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and as Archbishop of Belcastro, presidents of OFM conferences will hold a special election for a new minister general of the congregation.
“As the newly elected president of EAC, I am mandated to go to Rome and participate in the special election which will be held on May 20 to 22. Unlike regular general chapters where all minister provincials and custos of the whole order can join the election, in special election like this one, only presidents of conferences can join the election,” Redoblado said.
The installation of Carballo will be on May 18 and in this case, the order needs to hold a special election for a new minister general to end Carballo’s term until 2015.
Participation
Redoblado disclosed that he is expecting an election that will follow the spirit of renewal ushered by the new Pope Francis.
“I am also excited to participate for the first time. It is a privilege and grace from God to be part of this election during this challenging but hope-filled time of the Church,” Redoblado shared.
The East Asian Conference includes Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
As EAC president, Redoblado’s task is to call and preside over annual meetings of the conference’s three areas of collaboration: formation, mission-evangelization and JPIC (Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation).
He also serves as EAC representative to annual meetings of the South Asia and Oceania Conferences. (Jandel Posion)
