The Bavarian Provincial Chapter devoted Thursday 27th to electing the Brother Provincial and his Council for the next four years. In a climate of discernment, which began the day before, there was time for prayer, dialogue and discernment for the election of the new government.

After the election of Brother Rudolf Knopp as the Brother Provincial, the following Brothers were elected as Councillors:

First Provincial Councillor Brother Thomas Väth

Second Provincial Councillor Brother Seraphim Schorer

Third Provincial Councillor Brother Benedikt Hau

Fourth Provincial Councillor Brother Eberhard Michl

The capitulars gratefully welcomed and celebrated the appointment of the new government, thanking them for their readiness to undertake the service of governance, and we have joined them in prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide and enlighten them in this service to the Province.

Let us thank Our Lord for this new step forward in the life of the Province and join them in prayer and thanksgiving for their readiness to lead the Bavarian Province of St. Charles over the next few years.

"Go forth with passion to promote Hospitality" – it was under this motto that the 52nd Provincial Chapter of the Bavarian Province opened on 24 January in the conference centre in Kostenz.

First day of Chapter

The Chapter was preceded on Sunday 23rd January by a spiritual talk entitled "Going forth", given by the moderator of the Chapter, the diocesan priest Fr Paul Weismantel. His talk was followed by a greeting from the Provincial Superior, Brother Benedikt Hau. Also on Sunday, the Capitulars watched the video "400 years of the Brothers of St John of God in Bavaria" made by the director, Max Kronawitter.

Then the preliminary arrangements for the Chapter were made, such as the election of the secretary, the tellers, the supervisors of the minutes, etc. The Chapter was attended by the Provincial, the 4 Provincial Councillors and 10 vocals. Also present as a guest was Brother Sebastian Fritsch. The first two days were also attended by a large group of lay managers from the Province.

The first part of the Chapter was devoted to an evaluation of the past four years with a series of reports on the life of the Brothers and the Centres.

The Chapter was presided over by the Prior General, Brother Jesús Etayo, accompanied by the two General Councillors, Brother Joaquim Erra and Brother José Augusto Gaspar Louro.