Communiqué of the General Definitory concerning the Tempo Forte of September 2024

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The Tempo Forte of September 2024 took place from 9th-20 at the General Curia, “S. Maria Mediatrice”, in Rome.

The first session of the General Definitory was spent on personal narration, with the participation of some Officials of the General Curia (cooptati in Commissione ad hoc). The definitory shared on the vision of the Order and steps to be taken towards the celebration of the General Chapter of 2027; Br. Darko TEPERT, the General Secretary for Formation and Studies presented the letters to be addressed to the Entities of the Order on accompaniment of the friars on the level of initial formation and the program of meetings with the Presidents of the Conferences from 19th -23rd November. The definitory met Br. Joel ESPLANA SULSE, the new General economo.  The definitory continued reflecting on the Chapter of Mats, the Plenary Council of the Order of 2025 and the General Chapter of 2027; The definitory celebrated the feast of the stigmata of S. Francis at S.P.N.S. and 800 years Centenary at La Verna.

The General Definitory:

has appointed:

• Br. Paul NGUYEN DINH VINH, Visitor General for the Province of “Holy Martyrs of Korea”, in South Korea.
• Br. Wanderley COUTO DO CARVALHO, Visitor General for the Province of “St. Francis of Assisi", in Brazil.
• Br. Hieronimus RUPA, Delegate General for the fraternity of “Blessed Gabriele M. Allegra”, in Italy.
• Br. Francisco GOMEZ VARGAS, Fr. Daniel RODRIGUEZ BLANCO, Fr. Antonino CLEMENZA and Fr. Sidival FILA, members of the Commission for the meeting with friars who are artists.
• Br. Peter NGUYEN VAN DUNG, Fr. Casey COLE, Dr. Suzana PERAN, Sig. Moises SBARDELOTTO and Sig. Filomeno LOPES, members of the commission for the use of “Continental digital”.

It approved the shortlist of the candidates to the Office of Minister:

Custody of the “Sacred Heart of Jesus”, in Brazil.

It analyzed the reports of the following Entities:

• Visitor General: Custody of the “Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary” in Albania and Montenegro; Province of “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, in USA.
• Delegate General: for the Province of Dalmata “St. Jerome”, in Croatia; Autonomous Custody of. “St. Clare”, in Mozambique.

Of the following Entities, it ratified the Acts of the elections that took place: 

• In Capitular Congress: Provincial of “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, in Central America and Panama; Provincial of “. Our lady Guadalupe”, in USA; Provincial of Arantzazu, in Spain; Provincial of. “St. James of Marches”, in Italy.
• Outside the chapter:
• Provincial definitor: Missionary Province of “St. Antony”, in Bolivia, 1; Province of “St. Francis”, in Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius, 1.
• Provincial Economo: Province of “The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, in Poland.
• Provincial Secretary: Province of “the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary.”, in Bosnia-Erzegovina; Province of Irland.
• Guardians: “St. Maria Mediatrice”-General Curia, 1; Province of “St. Francis”, in Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius, 1; Province of St. Francis of Quito”, in Ecuador, 1;

It approved, subject to condition, the SSPP of:

• French speaking African Conference (CAF).
• Province of “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, in USA.
• Province of “St. Francis of Solano”, in Perù.
• Studiorum Biblicum, Hong Kong.

It dealt with the following cases of separation from the Order: 

• Indult of   dispensation from temporal vows: 5.
• Indult of  exclaustration: 1.
• Extension  indult of  exclaustration: 1.
• Indult of   secularization ad experimentum: 2.
• Indult of dispensation from Solemn vows: 4.

It examined, amongst practices already in progress and new:

• Case of Graviora delicta: 1.

It dealt with other practices of various kinds:

• Admission to Sacred Order (Entity dependent to the Minister   General): 1.
• Suppression of houses : 23 cases.
• Alienation of immovable goods: 1 case.
• Granting /renewal of obedience /bursary: 10 cases.
• Seat of Provincial Curia : 1.
• Reduction of obligation of Holy Mass: 1.
• Missionary Collaboration and pastoral: 2.
• Economical practice: 5.
• Transfer  to another Province: 2.

The General Definitory transmits the calendar which last for “two years”. 

Next Tempo Forte will take place from 4th to 15th November; all Entities of the Order are reminded to send their proposals to the General definitory one week before the Tempo Forte (the last date is 25th October).

Praise to Christ and the Poor man of Assisi. Amen!

Rome, 4 October 2024
Solemnity of St. Francis

Br. Antonio M. IACONA, OFM
Secretary General