The Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste elected a new leadership team during their Provincial Chapter (28 April-2 May). Fr Bruce Clark was re-elected Prior Provincial and Frs Januario Pinto and David Hofman were re-elected to the Provincial Council as well as Frs Paul Cahill and Martinho Da Costa.
Before being elected Prior Provincial in 2022, Fr Bruce had lived in Timor-Leste for 10 years 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 Paul Cahill is currently Parish Priest of St Joseph’s-Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Port Melbourne-Middle Park (VIC). He has previously served as Principal of Whitefriars College, Donvale (VIC) and as Prior Provincial.
Fr Januario Pinto arrived in Australia from Timor-Leste in 2013 completing both bachelor and master’s degrees in theology in 2017. He is Parish 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 for the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste. He is also Provincial Bursar and has served as formator for Timorese students in Australia, as well as being a member of the Formation and Finance Commissions of the Province.
Fr Martinho Da Costa is Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Coorparoo and Administrator of Regina Caeli, Coorparoo Heights (QLD). After arriving in Australia from Timor-Leste he completed a Bachelor of Theology degree at the University of Divinity, Melbourne before his Ordination in 2014.
Taking the theme ‘Abide in me … bear much fruit’ (Jn 15:5) the Chapter set new directions for ‘reshaping the Province for the mission of Christ’ in the areas of community, formation, vocations, leadership & governance and ministry & mission.
A total of 36 Carmelites attended the Chapter in Melbourne, with 17 travelling from Timor-Leste. The Prior General, Fr Míceál O’Neill, and Fr Robert Puthussery (General Councillor for Asia, Australia & Oceania) travelled from Rome for the week-long Chapter meeting.
