Assisi: 119th successor to St Francis elected

An Italian priest has been elected minister general of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, making him the 119th successor of St Francis of Assisi. Fr Marco Tasca of the Paduan Province of St. Anthony was elected during the 199th ordinary general chapter held at the Sacred Convent in Assisi. He is vice-president of the Major Superiors, Conference of Italy and president of the Franciscan Movement of the North-East. Born on June 9, 1957 at Sant Angelo di Piove, at Padua, Tasca entered the Order at Camposampiero on September 29, 1968. He made his novitiate at the Basilica of St. Anthony (1976-1977) and professed First Vows on September 17, 1977. He then undertook his Theological studies at the Sant Antonio Dottore Theological Institute, receiving his Bachelors degree in 1982. On November 28, 1981 he professed his Solemn Vows and proceeded to Rome for studies at the Salesian Pontifical University. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 19, 1983 at Sent Angelo did Prove, at Papua, his hometown. In 1986 he completed his Licentiate in Psychology at the Silesian University, and two years later a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology. He returned to his Province, and from 1988 to 1994 was Rector of the Minor Seminary in Breccias, then of the Post-Novitiate in Papua (1994-2001). He was Professor of Psychology and Catechetic at the Sent Antonio Dottore Theological Institute. At the Provincial Chapter of 2001 he was elected Custos Capitularis and Guardian of Camposampiero at Padua, which he undertook until 2005 when he was elected Minister Provincial. Source: CISA