General Curia
Every six years one of the friars is elected to be the Prior General of the Order. This election takes place at an international meeting of the Order called the General Chapter. This is a fraternal gathering where friars from the different areas of the Order come together to reflect as a community on our faithfulness to the Gospel and to our Carmelite charism.
Once elected the Prior General has the responsibility to lead and guide the Order for the following six years. He has to make sure that an authentic spirit of Carmel is present and growing throughout the Order especially in its life of prayer and in the life and ministry of its members.
During the last General Chapter, on 17th September 2019, Father Míċeál O'Neill was elected Prior General.
During the General Chapter (an international meeting of the Order which is held every six years), one of the friars is elected as the Vice Prior General. His role is to work closely with the Prior General, assisting him in his duties, and acting as his Vicar in his absence. The Vice Prior General also co-ordinates the work of the General Council and organises the administration of the Curia.
During the last General Chapter, Father Benny Phang Khong Wing was elected Vice Prior General. Together with the Delegate for Formation, Father Benny also has responsibility for Formation.
At the General Chapter which is held every six years a friar is elected to be the Bursar General of the Order. The Bursar General administers the assets of the Order, takes care of the financial affairs of the General Council while liaising with the different areas of the Order. He convenes the financial commission which helps to determine the financial strategy of the Order ensuring that it is consistent with the Order’s preferential option for the poor and the marginalised.
At the General Chapter in September 2019, Father Christian Körner was elected as the Order’s Bursar General.
The Carmelite General Curia is the administrative centre of the Order of Carmelites and is located in Rome, Italy. An international community of Carmelites live there in the Curia Community which is made up of the Prior General, the members of the General Council and other Carmelite Officials of the Curia. These are given vital assistance by a team of lay women and men on a daily basis.
