Amid declining numbers, Franciscans meet to elect superior

May 26, 2009

As the Franciscan order commemorates its 800th anniversary, 152 members of the Order of Friars Minor are meeting in Assisi to elect a superior. With 14,724 members as of December 31, 2008-- a decline of 532 from the previous year-- the order is the the 3rd largest men’s religious institute (after the Jesuits and Salesians). Of the other male Franciscan religious communities, the two largest are the Capuchins, which rank 4th, and the Conventuals, which rank 11th.

 

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Further information:

• Franciscans' General Chapter Underway in Assisi (Vatican Radio)
• Franciscan chapter meeting in Assisi to elect superior (CNS)
• 800th anniversary of Franciscan Order: 1,755 Franciscans convene in Assisi (CWN, Apr 17)