More from UFME’s Meeting in Brussels
February 9th, 2010
More from UFME’s Meeting in Brussels
The Ninth General Assembly of the Union of Friars Minor in Europe (UFME), which was held in Brussels, ended on the 6th of February with the approval of various commitments for the near future. The theme of the meeting was “Project Europe” according to the mandates of the 2009 General Chapter (No.26 and 27). Worthy of note are the continuation of the meetings of young Europeans “Euroframe” (2012 in Poland), the establishment of a “temporary” international fraternity in Spain (on the model of the “Camino de Santiago”), the constitution of UFME as a Non-Profit Organisation (ASBL) under European or national law, support for the Byzantine Foundation in Ukraine, and commitment to animate and further deepen the “Project Europe” entrusted to the Permanent Council in collaboration with the General Definitory.
The Assembly – which was attended by about 70 major superiors (Provincial Vicars, Provincial Ministers and Definitors general) – followed with interest some reflections regarding the challenges of Europe and the Franciscans, had contact with the European institutions in a day’s guided visit to the European Parliament and the European Commission, and has made the acquaintance of the international fraternity “Notre Dame des Nations” residents in the same place where the meeting was held.
The Assembly also sent a message to the EU institutions to express the gratitude and at the same time the concerns of the Franciscans, and another message to all the Friars Minor who are in Europe with whom they wanted to share their experience, reflections and commitments taken in Brussels.
At the end of the Meeting the Permanent Council of UFME was renewed and now it is made up of: President Br. Melicias Vitor (Portugal); Vice-President: Br. Ivan Sesar (Bosnia-Herzegovina); Directors: Br. Gabriele Trivellin (Italy), Br. Filemon Janka (Poland), Br. Bob Van Laer (Belgium) and Br. Anthony McNeil (Scotland).
