Fr. Austin McCormack OFM, Visitator General to the Maltese Franciscan Province, was on his first official visit in Malta since his appointment to the post of Visitator and President of the upcoming Provincial Chapter.  The aim of the visit was that of paving the way for the Chapter and preparing an agenda for its proceedings.  

Fr. Austin had various meetings with Fr. Paul Galea OFM, Minister Provincial, and his Counsellors or Definitors. During his visit Fr. Austin also presided over the counting of the results of the straw ballot for the election of the new Minister Provincial.  From Malta Fr. Austin left for Rome, where he is currently attending the Congress for Visitators General, organized at the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor.

Fr. Austin McCormack OFM was Minister Provincial for the English Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception for nine consecutive years.  He is currently Guardian and parish priest at the postulant house in Chilworth, Surrey.  Fr. Austin has just retired from his post as lecturer at the Franciscan International Study Centre in Canterbury.  He is expected back in Malta for the official canonical visitation, which is to start in the middle of January 2008.