The Franciscan Province of the Twelve Apostles, in Peru, has elected Br. Ernesto Chambi Cruz OFM as Minister Provincial. This is the first lay brother to hold this service after the Rescript of the 18th May 2022 by Pope Francis, in which the Pontiff derogated from canon 588 §2 of the CIC the legislation regarding the access of non-cleric religious, belonging to clerical institutes of Pontifical Right (such as the OFM), to access governmental offices at all levels. The nomination is confirmed by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
The Elective Provincial Chapter, presided over by Br. Guillermo Lancaster Jones Campero OFM, also elected Br. Pedro Orlando Castro Castro OFM as Vicar and, as Definitors, the brothers Br. Eduardo Herrera Camizán OFM, Br. Rodolfo Ibañez Neira OFM, Br. Elvis Benjamín Pacheco Palomino OFM, Br. Abnelio Livia Tocto OFM and Br. Juan José Alania Espinoza OFM.
Br. Ernesto Chambi Cruz was born on the 8th June 1968; he made his temporary profession in the city of Cusco on the 29th March 1988. He has been a solemn professed brother of the Province of the Twelve Apostles of Peru since the 15th August 1993. He has held various positions: vice-master of novices, teacher of students, guardian of St. Francis of Cusco, provincial treasurer, Definitor on 6 occasions.
He was Visitor General in the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Venezuela, of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Central America, Panama and Haiti and of the Province of Santa Fe in Colombia. Before the election, he held the position of Definitor, Provincial Treasurer and Director of the San Francisco de Jesús de Lima Museum.
