This week Carmelites from Australia and Timor-Leste gathered in Melbourne for our triennial Chapter meeting. We were joined by the Prior General, Fr Miċeál O'Neill, who travelled from Rome to be with us.

During the Chapter, we elected a new leadership team: Fr Bruce Clark is our new Prior Provincial and Frs Wayne Stanhope, Januario Pinto, David Hofman and Carlito Da Costa Araújo are our new Provincial Council.

For the past 10 years Fr Bruce has lived in Timor-Leste providing a strong link between the Carmelites there and in Australia. Fr Bruce was Prior of the Carmelites in Hera (Dili), Novice Master and Director of Formation. He was also the Provincial’s representative in Timor for some years. ‘I am humbled by the trust and confidence that the Province has placed in me’ he said.

Fr Wayne Stanhope has been Prior Provincial, a formator for young Carmelites in Australia and parish priest and has been training as a professional supervisor during the last 2 years.

Fr Januario Pinto arrived in Australia in 2013 completing both bachelor and master’s degrees in theology in 2017. He is assistant priest at Our Lady of Mt Carmel parish, Wentworthville (NSW) and was previously assistant priest at Our Lady of Mt Carmel parish, Coorparoo (QLD).

Fr David Hofman is currently Director of Communications and formator in Australia.

Fr Carlito Da Costa Araújo is currently the Provincial’s Delegate in Timor-Leste and a member of the formation team there.

We congratulate them and offer our prayerful support for their leadership of the Province over the next three years.