The General Minister, accompanied by General Councilor Br. Lawrence Soosai Nathan, visited the delegations in Sri Lanka from May 3 to 8, 2026. Sri Lanka is an island (65,610 km², with a population of 22 million—the majority of whom are of Sinhalese ethnicity, followed by Tamils—Buddhism is the predominant religion, while there are 1.6 million Catholics, accounting for 7% of the total population).
The Capuchin presence in Sri Lanka began in 2001 with the arrival of friars from the Province of Karnataka. The main reason for the Order’s initial arrival was to establish formation centers for student friars from Pakistan. Today, the Southern Delegation, under the jurisdiction of the Province of Karnataka (India), has four active missions. A second group of Capuchin friars from the Province of South Tamil Nadu (India) arrived in 2013, following 26 years of civil war, to serve in the Tamil areas affected by the conflict. Currently, the Northern Delegation, under the jurisdiction of the Province of South Tamil Nadu, operates three missions and is exploring the possibility of establishing a new one.
A visit characterized by dialogue and fraternity
During his stay, the General Minister visited all the fraternities, met with all the friars, and toured the places of ministry, engaging in dialogue with the various groups of people whom the friars serve. The Southern Delegation is primarily engaged in the formation of the Pakistani friars, a ministry whose fruits are evident in the signs of growth and maturity shown by the young friars. The Northern Delegation, on the other hand, is mainly involved in pastoral and social activities: by working in war-torn areas, the friars have achieved tangible and commendable progress for the local population.
In general, the missionary presence and the witness to the Capuchin charism in Sri Lanka—both through the formation of the Pakistani friars and through the service rendered in war-torn areas—continue to be a blessing for the Order. Both delegations are engaged in the process of establishing the Order on this small and beautiful island.
The visit of the General Minister, Br. Roberto Genuin, was a moment of grace for the brothers of both delegations, who sensed his affinity, concern, and attention. The young friars in Pakistan particularly felt encouraged to continue their formation and to share their lives and their journey.
In short, this visit—dedicated to mutual sharing during the Jubilee Year marking the eighth centenary of St. Francis’s passing—has reinvigorated the spirit and commitment of the brothers to live out and bear witness to the Capuchin charism in this beautiful island nation, Sri Lanka.