Franciscans International Appoints New Executive Director

Franciscans International's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Sr. Denise Boyle, FMDM as the organisation's new Executive Director. Sr. Denise will assume her role on 1st March, 2008.

Sr. Denise is an Irish Franciscan religious sister and human rights advocate, who brings with her 30 years of experience in education, social justice, and development.

In Zimbabwe, Sr. Denise spent eight years as the National Coordinator of the Women and Children's Programme of the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace. When the nation was ravaged by drought, she organised an emergency feeding programme that brought relief to 11,000 children. In Australia, where she spent 15 years as an educator, Sr. Denise was passionate about the role of education in promoting social justice. As the Overseas Project Officer at the Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM); Sr. Denise developed and implemented the training program for 53 volunteers in Africa and Guatemala. She visited the volunteers in their projects regularly.

Since 2003, Sr. Denise has served as the Justice Coordinator for the St. Patrick Missionary Priests in Ireland. She has been collaborating with faith-based groups and NGOs; raising awareness on HIV/AIDS, human trafficking and development issues in 19 countries across Europe, Africa and South America. She is Chair of the national Irish committee, ACT - Act to Prevent Trafficking.

Sr. Denise holds an M.A. degree in International Peace and Development Studies from the University of Limerick; a B.D. in Theology and Pastoral Counselling from the University of Melbourne; and a B.Ed from the University of London.

Through her human rights advocacy, Sr. Denise has exemplified Franciscan values of peace building, justice, care for creation, and service to the poor. Her commitment to the vision and mission of Franciscans International is evidenced by her service on the organisation's International Board of Directors. She was the President of the Board from 2003 to 2006, and has most recently been fulfilling the role of Vice President.

As Franciscans International's Executive Director, Sr. Denise will serve the global Franciscan Family in its work for a more just and compassionate world. She will lead Franciscans International's advocacy, animation and fundraising efforts at the offices in Bangkok, Geneva and New York.

Franciscans International is proud to welcome Sr. Denise as its new Executive Director. We look forward to working with and supporting her in this new and challenging role.

On November 30, 2007, The Holy Father: 

 - Appointed Fr. John Corriveau O.F.M. Cap., former minister general of the Franciscan order of Friars Minor Capuchins, as bishop of Nelson (area 78,400, population 370,000, Catholics 75,000, priests 38, religious 25), Canada. The bishop-elect was born in Zurich, Canada in 1941 and ordained a priest in 1965. He succeeds Bishop Eugene Jerome Cooney, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

On 26 May, Fr Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. of the Province of St Anthony of Padua (Italy) was elected Minister General of the Order of the Friars Minor Conventual at their General Chapter in Assisi (see photo at right). He succeeds Joachim Giermek, OFM Conv.

Fr Michael Higgins, TOR of the Province of Sacred Heart of Jesus (U.S., was elected Minister General of the Third Order Regular at the General Chapter in Assisi on 28 May. He succeeds Fr Ilija Zivkovic, TOR.

We wish them both God's Blessings.
We are grateful for Fr. Michael Higgins insightful writings for,
and on behalf of the SFO