Franciscan Minister General visits the Peace Lab

October 28, 2009

Fr Hosè Rodriguez Carballo O.F.M. is the re elected Minister General of the Franciscan Order. Together with Fr. Francis Walter o.f.m. he visited Malta on the 28th October 2009. The aim of his visit was to appeal the local Franciscans to preach peace and love to a society where wealth and power are regarded as the most important things in life. He could sense the “peace” that Francis possessed in all the convents run by the friars in many parts of Malta and Gozo. Modern Maltese appreciate this aspect of Franciscan spirit. He is subject to so much pressure and tension from racing against the clock.

Fr. Carballo the minister general accompanied by Fr. Sandro Overend the Provincial of the Franciscans visited the Peace Lab. During his stay he joined the volunteers in prayers and later inaugurated the Minores/09 an internet service in order to alleviate the anxiety of not only the Asylum seekers but also of their families. Fr Carballo stated that this service functions and gives great mental support to its users.

Today the Franciscan Order is still one of the largest and most vital religious Orders of men in the Catholic Church. This Order numbers some 25,000 members throughout the world. Of these, 6,000 work as missionaries in third world country territories.