The Minister General is elected at the General Chapter for a six-year term. He can issue decrees for the whole Order, valid, however, until the General Chapter; after this time, they are no longer valid, unless confirmed by the Chapter.
Br Massimo Fusarelli, OFM
Born: 30.03.1963 – Rome, Italy
Novitiate: 28.07.1982
Temp. Profession: 30.07.1983
Sol. Profession: 08.01.1989
Ordination: 30.09.1989
OFM Province: St Bonaventure - Italy
The Vicar General is elected in General Chapter for a six-year term. When the Minister General is absent or impeded, the Vicar General, who possesses ordinary vicarious power, governs the Order; however, he is not to use his power contrary to the mind or will of the Minister General.
Conference of North Africa and the Middle East
Br Ignacio Ceja Jiménez, OFM
Born on August 31, 1961 in Guadalajara, Mexico
Novitiate: August 14, 1981
Temporary Profession: August 15, 1982
Solemn Profession: April 10, 1988
Ordination: July 6, 1991
Province of the Saints Francis and James - Mexico
The Definitors General, the number of whom is determined in the General Statutes, are elected in General Chapter for a six-year term. The General Definitory, as a collegiate body, must act in accordance with the law; as council of the Minister General it is to assist him and express its consent or advice in accordance with universal and proper law.
Conferences of Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Br Konrad Grzegorz Cholewa, OFMBorn: 23.07.1981 – Sucha Beskidzka, Poland
Novitiate: 16.09.2001
Temp. Profession: 17.09.2002
Sol. Profession: 04.10.2006
Ordination: 19.06.2008
Province of the Immaculate Conception BVM – Poland
Franciscan Conferences of Asia and Oceania
Br John Wong, OFMBorn: 03.07.1966 – Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Novitiate: 01.01.1995
Temp. Profession: 01.01.1996
Sol. Profession: 29.11.1999
Ordination: 02.12.2000
Custody of Saint Anthony of Padua - Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei
Conference of Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico
Br Joaquin Echeverry, OFMBorn: 26.02.1955 – Nariño Antioquia, Colombia
Novitiate: 12.01.1975
Temp. Profession: 20.12.1975
Sol. Profession: 27.01.1980
Province of Santa Fe - Colombia
Anglophone Conference (USA, Canada, Ireland, UK, Malta, Lithuania)
Br Jimmy Zammit, OFMBorn: 11.08.1955 – Toronto, Canada
Novitiate: 14.10.1973
Temp. Profession: 02.10.1974
Sol. Profession: 05.11.1978
Ordination: 13.06.1981
Province of Saint Paul the Apostle – Malta
Conferences of Italy, Albania, Spain and Portugal
Br Cesare Vaiani, OFMBorn: 20.10.1954 – Milano, Italia
Novitiate: 14.09.1974
Temp. Profession: 17.09.1975
Sol. Profession: 22.04.1979
Ordination: 14.06.1980
Province of Saint Anthony of Padua - Italy
Conference of Central Europe, Hungary and Transylvania
Br Albert Schmucki, OFMBorn: 20.07.1963 – Degersheim, Switzerland
Noviciate: 08.09.1988
Temp. Profession: 17.09.1989
Sol. Profession: 17.09.1994
Ordination: 23.08.1992
Dependent Custody of Christ the King – Switzerland
Brazil, Cono Sur and Bolivarian Conferences
Br César Külkamp, OFMBorn: 26.05.1969 – Ituporanga – SC, Brazil
Novitiate: 11.01.1988
Temp. Profession: 10.01.1989
Sol. Profession: 24.09.1993
Ordination: 16.12.1995
Province of Immaculate Conceptions of the BVM – Brazil
African Conferences
Br. Siphelele Gwanisheni, OFMBorn: 4th January 1979
Novitiate: 3rd January 2000
Temp. Profession: 4th January 2001
Sol. Profession: 21st January 2006
Ordination: 17th December 2007
Entity: Province of Our Lady Queen of Peace (South Africa)
The Secretary General of the Order has the duty of properly coordinating all the work that is done in the General Curia. He attends the sessions of the General Definitory, but without having a deliberative vote. He records in writing what has taken place, keeps the seal of the Order and coordinates everything concerning administrative matters that have to be dealt with.
Born on August 8 in Ravanusa, Italy
Novitiate: September 14, 2006
Temporary Profession: September 8, 2007
Solemn Profession: September 16, 2012
Holy Name Province, Italy