The New Team – the Minister General, Michael Perry OFM (centre) with his new Council.

On 23 May at the General Chapter in Assisi Irish friar Caoimhin O Laoide (on left) was elected, along with four others, to to serve on the General Definitory of the Order for the next six years.

Speaking on behalf of the OFM English Speaking Conference, Irish Provincial Minister Hugh McKenna, OFM, Conference President, said, “Warmest congratulations to Caoimhin! This is a great honour for our Conference and our Province! I thank him for accepting this office at such an important moment in the Order’s history. We have an excellent team in the General Definitory and I am confident they will be proactive in addressing the Order’s challenges.” 

Minister Provincial Hugh McKenna congratulates Caoimhin

 

Friar Caoimhin O’Laoide, OFM, was born in Kerry, Ireland in 1961. He made his First Profession of Vows in 1980 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the National University of Ireland and degrees in philosophy and theology from the Gregorianum in Rome. He gained a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium in 1995.

 

Caoimhin speaks English, Irish, and Italian, as well as passing knowledge of French and Spanish. His ministries have included parish ministry, director of the Killarney Prayer and Retreat Centre, service church ministry, as well as various roles in Formation, including Secretary of Formation, Director of Postulancy and Director of the Novitiate.

 

He has served as Guardian, Provincial Definitor, Vicar Provincial and Provincial Minister of his Province of Ireland (which also includes the Custody of the Good Shepherd in Zimbabwe). He is also a past president of the English Speaking Conference and a current member of the permanent council of the Union of Friars Minor of Europe (UFME).

 

May our brothers be guided by the Spirit of the Lord and filled with peace and courage!