The change is due to the fact that Father James Puglisi, newly elected to this office, is director of the “Pro Unione” ecumenical center, a post he will continue to hold in the Italian capital.
Father Puglisi, 57, was elected May 27 during the General Chapter held here, at the motherhouse of this Franciscan order.
The move from New York to Rome will allow for the reinforcement of the order’s international relations, as it is now present in the United States, England, Italy, Japan and Canada, sources said.
James Puglisi entered the order in 1964. He took his religious vows in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1973. He has a doctorate in theology from the Catholic Institute of Paris, and a doctorate in religious anthropology and the history of religion from the Sorbonne.
Father Puglisi has taught in several pontifical universities, including St. Anselm’s and St. Thomas’ (the Angelicum), both in Rome.
Father Daniel O’Shea has been appointed the order’s new vicar general and first adviser, and Father Dennis Polanco its second adviser.
