Over fifty Minister provincials from all over Europe attended the ninth the UFME meeting held in Brussels between the 1st and the 7th February 2010. The Franciscan presence  in the coming years remains a sign of hope in the heart of the Church for the changes that are and will continue to touch the European countries.

The Franciscan Friar, with his life based on the gospel and being the friar among the people, can continue preaching the Risen Christ and heal all the ones that suffer, offering their missionary work by their presence and helping the people in need of solidarity. With regards to Malta, a reference was made to the work that is being carried out at the Peace-Lab in Hal-Far and at Fr. Jacopa House in M’Scala, these, being two important spots of the New forms of the OFM evangelisation in Malta.

During a visit  to the European Parliament, the Provincials met with several representatives and Euro-Parliamentarians where appreciation was deeply showed for the presence and work of around eight thousand OFM friars around Europe.

The meeting came to an end with the election of the new UFME council with the re-election of Fr. Vitor Melicias OFM (Portugal) as President and Fr. Ivan Cesar OFM (Bosnia and Herzegovina) as vice-president.