The General Chapter of the Capuchin Custody of Arabia Concludes in Musaffah

The fifth Ordinary Chapter of the Capuchin General Custody of Arabia took place at St. Paul's Church Musaffah, Abu Dhabi from 8-11 May 2023. All the Capuchin friars from both the Vicariates of Northern and Southern Arabia gathered together for the Chapter.

During the Chapter, Fr. Michael Fernandes OFM Cap. was elected as the new Custos of the Capuchin Custody succeeding Fr. Peter P.M. OFM Cap., who served as Custos from 2020 to 2023. New members of the custody council were also elected during the Chapter. Those elected as councillors were Fr. George Vadukkut OFM Cap. (First Councillor), Fr. Chito Bartolo OFM Cap.(Second Councillor), Fr. Paul Raj OFM Cap. (Third Councillor) and Fr. Gaspar Fernandes OFM Cap.(Fourth Councillor).         
 

The newly elected Custos and council members of the Capuchin Custody of Arabia with Bishop Paolo Martinelli (Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia), Bishop Aldo Berardi (Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia), Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder
and Fr. Pio Murat, the Capuchin General councillor

The chapter included reports from the outgoing Custos, Fr. P. M. Peter, an address of the Apostolic Nuncio to the UAE, Monsignor Christophe Zakhia El-Kassis who spoke to the friars on the theme of working together for the Universal Church, and addresses by Bishops Paolo Martinelli, Aldo Berardi and Emeritus Paul Hinder.

Bishop Paolo Martinell, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, spoke on the necessity of becoming peacemakers in his homily during the Holy Mass. The address of Bishop Emeritus Paul Hinder at the chapter was focussed on the importance of taking care of the spiritual life of the friars amidst the challenging circumstances of working within a fast-paced and materialistic context of the Gulf. Bishop Aldo Berardi, the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia urged the friars to be true Capuchins, faithful to their avowed rule of life.  Fr. Michael Fernandes, the newly elected Custos, presented on the theme of Evangelical Commitment based on Gospel Brotherhood. 

The chapter which periodically brings together all the Capuchin friars who work in the Gulf, provides the opportunity to come together to share experiences and perspectives related to the Franciscan way of life.  Besides addresses from speakers, there were also opportunities for discussions on various topics within smaller groups. The chapter also dealt  with  themes such as accountability, transparency and social responsibility.

The chapter concluded with a fraternal lunch on 11 May, following  a visit to the Abrahamic Family House in the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi.