CONAMO Conference Meeting in Rome

On the 13th October 2025, at the General Curia, the friars of the Conference of North Africa and the Middle East (CONAMO) gathered in the presence of Br. Ignacio Ceja, OFM, Vicar General. In a fraternal atmosphere, the assembly elected its new animators and outlined lines of action for the coming years. It was a moment of listening and shared responsibility, with a focus on mission in complex and multi-religious contexts.

The conference appointed Br. Francesco Lelpo, OFM, Custos of the Holy Land, as President. Br. Luis Alcántara Ramírez, OFM, Custos of the Holy Protomartyrs of Morocco, was elected Vice-President. Br. Felianus Dogon, OFM, guardian in Istanbul, was elected to the office of Bursar, while Br. Magdy Helmy, OFM, representing the Apostolic Vicariates of Tripoli and Benghazi, will continue to serve as Secretary.

The friars have agreed to open their entities to welcome temporary professed friars during the "Franciscan Year" and to promote, during the three-year period, a meeting of the conference's initial formative years. Participation in the weeks of interreligious dialogue offered by the Istanbul fraternity has been encouraged, as well as ongoing formation initiatives and spiritual exercises to foster mutual understanding. In preparation for the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis, a small exhibition, translated into local languages, will be prepared to raise awareness of the Poor-Man amongst non-Christians.