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From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025
The Members Send a Message to the Carmelite Family at the Conclusion of the 2025 General Chapter

The Members of the General Chapter celebrated Morning Prayer together and then moved to the Chapter Hall for a final session. First order of business was the reading of the proposed Message of the Chapter to the Carmelite Family. Following its reading in the three languages of the Order, the members made some suggestions and then the message was unanimously approved.

Following a talk by the new prior general, Desiderio García Martínez, the Chapter was adjourned.

Later today the members will travel to the Cathedral of Malang for Mass with Bishop Henricus Pidyardo Gunawan, O. Carm. There they will sign the Acts of the Chapter.

pdf To Read the Final Message of the Chapter to the Carmelite Family (127 KB)

Sunday morning the Chapter members met in the Chapter Hall to hear a discussion on Inter-Religious Dialogue with Alyssa Wahid and FX Hariawan Adji, the recently elected Vice General of the Order. Hariawan holds a doctorate in Inter-Religious Studies (2017) and has much experience and interest in this topic. Alyssa Wahid is the founder of the Gusdurian Network Indonesia, a nationwide network that promotes democracy, human rights, interfaith dialogue, and advocates for minority rights. It was established to emulate the work of her father, President Abdurrahman Wahid, the fourth president of Indonesia.

Much of the discussion encouraged people to get out of their own comfort zone and get to know people of other cultures and faiths. If you stay just within what your are familiar with and comfortable with, then there is little possibility of finding points of common ground with others.

Huub Welzen, prior provincial of the Dutch province, wrote a short summary back to his members which is quoted here: The moderator asked both participants how more tolerance between religions could be achieved. I found Alyssa Wahid's answer interesting. She talked about the purpose of the Muslim faith. Islam is not there for the benefit of Islam. Islam is there for the benefit of the entire universe … Fundamentalism and extremism naturally lead to intolerance. Within one's own faith, those who do not share the same views are considered lesser Christians or lesser Muslims. Intolerance towards other faiths is even greater. They must be destroyed. Religious leaders have a major task here to show that this kind of extremism is not part of the inclusive nature of most religions.

The business portion of the General Chapter finished on Wednesday, September 24. The members were given a free day on Thursday, September 25. But the Chapter will officially conclude on Friday, September 26, with a closing Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Diocese of Malang. The Chapter Acts will be signed at that time as well.

As announced previously, the Closing Mass will be live streamed beginning at 4:30PM (GMT 7+) by the Indonesian Communications Office. In order to watch, go to https://www.youtube.com/live/hyoJCFPeaZI?si=D0aDgd8Ppup_55UH

Oss, Netherlands Dedicated Monument to Long Time Resident St. Titus Brandsma

The city of Oss is closely linked to the figure of Tito Brandsma. He lived there after his return from Rome in 1909 until 1923, when he moved to Nijmegen to teach at the newly established Catholic University Nijmegen (now Radbound University).

It was in Oss that he edited the local newspaper (De Stad Oss) for several years, founded a school, and worked generously in the pastoral field. He has sometimes been called “de Friese Brabander” (“the Frisian from Brabant”), [Oss being located in the province of North Brabant] and was named an honorary citizen in a solemn ceremony at the Oss Town Hall in November 2015.

A few days ago, a new and unusual monument dedicated to Titus Brandsma was unveiled in Oss. It consists of three pairs of glasses placed in the center of the “Titus Brandsmaplein.” Each pair represents a different aspect of the Carmelites life: educator, journalist, and Carmelite.

The artists' idea (in addition to paying tribute to the multifaceted Carmelite) is to “look at the city through the lenses of Fr. Tito.”

Fortunes Reversed
(Luke 16:19-31)

The story Jesus tells in the Gospel is about a rich man, his five brothers and a poor man, and how their fortunes get reversed.
The rich man does nothing particularly evil. He lives like a rich man, dresses like a rich man and dines like a rich man. But he does not see the poor man sitting at his door. He does not even notice him.
The story is told against the background belief that riches were a sign of God’s blessing. By the time of Jesus, the teaching of the prophets that blessing brings responsibility seems to have been forgotten.
So the story asks the hearers: will they follow the example of the rich man or heed Jesus’ teaching (and that of the prophets) about the care of the needy and prove themselves true children of Abraham and take their place at the eternal banquet?
Injustice and greed breed violence and often result in the exploitation of the poor. As Pope Paul VI once said, “If you want peace, work for justice”.
We are not called to hoard God’s blessings, but to be distributors of them so that all have a fair share of this world’s goods and can live with dignity and respect.

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Sunday Celebration with Carmelite Family for the General Chapter

On the afternoon of September 21, the members of the General Chapter were bused to St. Albert’s High School in Malang to celebrated Sunday Eucharist with representatives of the various branches of the Carmelite Family in Indonesia. 

The members of the General Chapter were welcomed by the Indonesian Carmelites in a colorful, traditional welcoming ceremony. The video of parts of this welcome can be seen at: https://youtu.be/cODUx5HiNas

The Mass was televised by the Indonesian Media Office. It can be viewed online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/nZn7fvRHhCk?si=1GCUXyaldp82wjnR Mass begins shortly after 36:00 on the video.

The Eucharist was followed by a multi-course banquet of local dishes accompanied by song, dance, and short theatrical productions telling the 100 year history of the Carmelites in Indonesia.

Chapter work began again on Monday, September 22 with Mass, followed by sharing sessions with members from different branches of the Carmelite Family in the Chapter Hall. Later in the morning, the Chapter was addressed via livestream from Rome by Fr. Miguel Márquez Calle, the superior general of the Discalced Carmelites.

The General Chapter officially closes on Friday, September 26, with a Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Malang, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. During the closing Mass, the Acts of the General Chapter will be signed. The Mass will be live streamed at 4:30 (GMT 7+) by the Indonesian Communications Office. Go to https://www.youtube.com/live/hyoJCFPeaZI?si=D0aDgd8Ppup_55UH in order to participate.

From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025
Elections for General Councilors for Africa, America, Asia/Australia/Oceania and Europe Held at General Chapter  

Following the elections of the prior general and the vice prior general, procurator general, and general bursar on Friday, the General Chapter turned its attention to the election of the General Councilors who work in the four geographical areas of the Order.

The day began with Morning Prayer and Mass. The members of the Chapter then assembled in the Chapter Aula.

The elections were as follows: 

General Councilor for Africa:

Born in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, Eric Chrisostome N'Do entered Carmel in Bobo Dioulasso. On 16 July 2008, he made his simple profession and on July 4, 2011. After his ordination, he was assigned to the Postulancy House in Ouagadougou. In September 2013, he was sent to the community in Madrid to undertake a specialized studies in philosophy with the topic of Humanism and Transcendence at the Pontifical University of Comillas.

After completing a thesis on Edith Stein in June 2017, he returned to the community in Ouagadougou, where he is teaching philosophy at the Catholic University of Saint Thomas Aquinas and at the Private Institute of Philosophy, where Carmelite postulants attend classes.

General Councilor for the Americas:

Rolf Nepomuk (Nepi) Willemsen, O. Carm., originally from Germany, is a member of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) and serves as First Counselor of the Province.

He is also prior and Director of Formation at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. Nepi has professional experience in social work, community organizing, and international health. Within the Order, he previously taught theology for six years and now oversees the Carmelitana Collection, promoting research on Carmelite spirituality. His ministry focuses on formation, theological education, and vocational accompaniment.

General Councilor for Asia, Australia, and Oceania:

Robert Thomas Puthussery was born in Kerala, India. He had his schooling in his home town Mookkannoor in Kerala. After his philosophy and theology studies he was ordained a priest in 1994.

He did a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. 1990-93) and a Master of Arts (M.A. 1994-96) in English Literature and taught as an Assistant professor (1996-97) at Christ College Bangalore, India. From 1997-2000 he served as prior and rector for the Carmelite minor seminary at Carmel Nivas, Kothamangalam. From 2000-2002 he did a Masters Degree in Applied Theology at the University of Middlesex, London. Thereafter he served as Chaplain to the immigrant Syro-Malabar Catholic communities in London, Liverpool, and Manchester, United Kingdom. From 2006-2007 he served as the student director of the British Province of the Carmelites. While serving as the sub-prior of the international Carmelite community at East Finchley, London he completed his doctorate (PhD 2006-2010) at the University of Liverpool in pastoral psychology.

After his return from the United Kingdom in 2011, he served as prior and spiritual director of the Carmelite major seminary at Carmeljyoti Study house while lecturing at Christ University (2011-2014) Bangalore, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language and Media Studies and the School of Law. 

General Councilor for Europe:

Richard was born in Dublin and was educated by the Carmelites in Terenure College. Following his philosophical and theological studies at the Milltown Institute, he was ordained a priest in 1996. He was a member of the Terenure College Carmelite Community for over twenty years holding a variety of roles: subject teacher of accounting and religious education, school chaplain, rugby coach, and school principal. During those years, in University College Dublin, Fr. Richard also completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree (BComm) and his Doctoral Studies (PhD) on the distinctiveness of Catholic education.

In 2015, he was elected prior provincial of the Irish Province and was re-elected provincial in 2018. In Ireland, Richard was appointed as the chairperson of the Catholic Schools Partnership which provided a national service of support for Catholic schooling in Ireland. In his spare time in Dublin, he was a rugby referee and refereed school and adult matches all over his home province of Leinster.

At the General Chapter in 2019, he was elected General Councilor of Europe to serve for a six year term 2019-2025. His areas of responsibility are the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer and the International Communications Commission.

From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025

Prior General, Vice Prior General, Procurator General, and General Bursar Elected by General Chapter

Following the day of retreat and reflection by Bishop Henricus Pidyardo, the members of the Chapter spent some time reflecting on the possible candidates for the Order’s government. This morning, following Morning Prayer and Eucharist, the members of the Grneral Chapter assembled in the Chapter Hall to begin the voting process. 

The 2025 General Chapter has elected four members of the Order's central government on Day 1 of the elections. The positions filled were prior general, vice prior general, procurator general, and general bursar.

Prior General:

As announced earlier, Desiderio García Martínez of the Arago, Castellae et Valentiae Province was elected Prior General for the next sexennium.

Fr. Desiderio holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ecclesiastical Studies (1989-1994), a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Theology (1994-96), and a Bachelor's Degree in Hebrew Philology (1996-2000). He has served as prior provincial of the Province of ACV (2017-2023), Novice Master (1997-2009, 2011-2017), Formation Counselor (2002-2017), and Counsellor for Religious Life (2023-25) and parish priest (2009-11, 2023-25).

Vice Prior General:

Later in the morning Rm. Franciscus Xavarius Hariawan Adji, the current prior provincial of Indonesia, was selected to serve as Vice Prior General. Fr. Hariawan holds a Bachelor degree in English Linguistics (1992), a Bachelor in Industrial Management (1993), a Bachelor in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2006), a Masters degree in Biostatistics (2000), a Masters degree in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2009), and a doctorate in Inter-religious studies (2017).

He is a lecturer at the Airlangga University Surabaya (1992 - present) and director of Studies at Access English Centre Surabaya (1993-2000). He served as Provincial Secretary (2009-2012), Head of Indonesian Carmelite NGO (2010 - present), Asian Representative of the Carmelite NGO (2006 - 2024), Member of the General Commission of JPIC: 2013 - 2025, Vice Prior Provincial of the Indonesia Province (2015-2018 and 2018–2022), and as Prior Provincial of the  Indonesian Province (2023-present).

Procurator General:

Fr. Michael Farrugia was postulated for the position of Procurator General which he has held for 12 years (2 terms).      

Michael did studies in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, in Rome.  In 1986, he was ordained to priesthood by Saint Pope John Paul II.  Fr. Michael continued his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned his doctorate.

In the Province, Fr. Michael served as Provincial Bursar, Provincial Councillor, Prior, Parish Priest and member of the formation team. In the year 2009 he was elected Prior Provincial and re-elected in 2012. He was president of the Italy-Malta Region.

In the Archdiocese of Malta, Fr. Michael was Defender of the Bond and Justice Promoter in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and Judge of the Regional Tribunal of Second Instance. In 2006, he was elected member of the Presbyterial Council and was member on various diocesan commissions.  He was councillor and President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors.

Bursar General:

Christian was born in Würzburg (Bavaria), Germany. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1981, following his studies at the school of the Carmelite Theresianum in Bamberg. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Bamberg and Rome. After he was ordained a priest in 1988, Christian worked in a parish as vice parish priest. He was master of novices from 1992 to 1997 and for the next three years from 1997 to 2000 master of the students. Before his first election as prior provincial of the German Province in 2000 (to 2007) he was prior of the community of Bamberg and provincial counsellor. From 1994 to 2007 he was member of the International Commission for Formation of the Order.

At the General Chapter 2007 Fr. Christian was elected Vice Prior General of the Order to serve for six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was re-elected to serve for the second term 2013-2019. Then at the General Chapter in 2019, he was elected Bursar General of the Order to serve for six year term 2019-2025.

The General Chapter has elected Desiderio García Martínez as Prior General for the next six years. Congratulations to Fr. Desiderio!

More information on the other elections for members of the Council will follow when all the elections have been completed.