NEWS Meeting of CIOFS with Minister general On November 25, 2003, the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, Bro. José Rodriguez Carballo, met with the Presidency of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order. The Minister General of the SFO, Encarnacion del Pozo (Spain), was accompanied by the Vicar General, Rosalvo Mota (Brazil), and six councillors of the presidency: Carlos Coelho de Moura (Portugal), Maria Consuelo de Nuñez (Venezuela), Doug Clorey (Canada), Wilhelmina Visser Pelsma (Netherlands), Felix Mbete (Chad), Benedetto Lino (Italy) and the councillor for the Franciscan Youth, Xavi Ramos (Spain). The councillor from Asia, Lucy Almirañez (Philippines) was not able to attend. The four General Spiritual Assistants, who are also an integral part of the Presidency, were present as well: Bro Valentin Redondo OFMConv, Bro. Irudaya Samy OFMCap, Bro. Michael Higgins TOR and Bro. Ivan Matic OFM. Bro. José was fraternally attentive to the Secular Franciscans and discussed numerous themes with which the friars of the First Order are involved with the Secular Franciscans. First among these is the Spiritual Assistance which the Church has entrusted to the First Order and the Third Order Regular. In a fraternal exchange of opinions and experiences the fundamental importance of formation was highlighted as well as the need to create more opportunities for mutual sharing and contact. The members of the International Presidency of CIOFS were then able to share a meal with the General Curia. They were also able to visit the Curia, the Church of Santa Maria Mediatrice and the office of the General Assistant, Bro. Ivan Matic. Pictures - click to enlarge