The newly constituted Central Committee of the Institutum Carmelitanum held its first meeting January 26-29 at CISA in Rome.  President Michael Plattig (Ger) welcomed several new members: Rivaldave Paz Torquato (Par), Rico Ponce (Phil), Sr. Anastasia Cucca (RAV), and Edeltraud Klueting (TOC Germany).  Returning members included Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Ton van der Gulik (Neer), and Leopold Glueckert (PCM).  The Curia liaison Conrad Mutizamhepo, General Councilor for Africa, was unable to attend because of a previous commitment in Tanzania. This is the first time that membership on the Committee has included members of the Second and Third Orders.

The meeting’s busy schedule included matters of special concern: the Bibliotheca Carmelitana Nuova, the updating of various websites, future scholarly meetings, and academic preparation of future scholars, librarians, and archivists.  A welcome addition to the meetings was a spiritual reflection on Teresa of Avila by a committee member at each session.