The Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad have elected new leadership. Gathered for their chapter in Victoria, Kansas from May 19-23 to begin their seventeenth triennium, the friars elected Fr. David Songy as provincial minister.

Fr. David, a clinical psychologist and author of Spiritual Direction for Priestly Celibacy, has previously worked as head of the Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland, as prefect of studies at Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in Denver, Colorado and as director of counseling services at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Serving alongside Fr. David are vicar provincial, Fr. Sojan Parapilly, second councilor, Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, third councilor, Fr. Donald Rank and fourth councilor, Fr. Frank Grinko.

In addition to electing new leadership, the chapter is a time for the friars to pray together and reflect on challenges and new initiatives for proclaiming the Gospel in the modern world.