Franciscan Sisters elect Sister Frances Mani as Superior General

KOTA KINABALU – The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (FSIC) elected Paparian Sister Frances Mani, 67, to head their congregation for the next six years.

They also elected Sister Lilian Unsoh as vicaress, Sister Calista Saliun, Sister Dariah Ajap, Sister Lucy Embayan, Sister Germaine Angkangon and Sister Joan Michael as general councillors.

The election on 7 Dec 2017 came at the end of the 10th General Chapter held at Pace Bene Formation Centre Papar, presided by Archbishop John Wong.

It was preceded by a retreat from Nov 27 through Dec 3.

After the retreat, 47 delegates (45 perpetual professed and two junior professed) remained behind for the General Chapter on  Dec 4-7.  However, all the perpetual professed sisters returned for the election of the new general government on Dec 7.

A General Chapter is a special meeting of prayer and planning held at specified times by religious congregations.  For the Franciscan Sisters, their General Chapters are held every six years since the Third General Chapter in 1975.

This meeting brings together representatives of the Sisters from all the areas where the Sisters minister and live in Malaysia.

The Chapter consists of two parts, the chapter of affairs and the chapter of election.  The chapter of affairs is a time to reflect upon the past six years and assess where the congregation has been and what have been accomplished for Christ and His Church.  Then they take time to plan where their efforts can best be directed for the next six years.    After they have a directional statement for their apostolic efforts for the next six years, they will then elect the General Government who will guide the members in their efforts.

The congregation based in Kota Kinabalu, was founded on 16 June 936. The sisters are involved in parish work, catechetics and education. They also manage a maternity home, homes for the elderly and for poor children, and hostels for poor students.