Augustinian Prior General: We still have to learn that a confrere is pope

According to their new Prior General, the Augustinians first have to learn to deal with the fact that one of their confreres is Pope. "We always want to say that he is our confrere. We are proud of that," said Joseph Farrell about Leo XIV in an interview with the Vatican media published on Tuesday. However, the order must also be aware that this confrere is now the head of the Church.

Leo XIV is a friend whom he has known for a long time, Farrell continued. "I think that there can continue to be moments of cooperation. We have promised to obey the Holy Father, and in a way we can continue to do so, always with joy." The 62-year-old Farrell was elected head of the Augustinians at the order's general chapter on 9 September. Robert Francis Prevost, the real name of Leo XIV, held this position from 2001 to 2013. Farrell is considered his companion and confidant.

Leo still knows many from the Order

During the General Chapter, there were several meetings with Leo XIV. There it became clear that he remembered many members of the Order. Many confreres had said that the Pope had addressed them by name, said Farrell. This is important for the order, "because it means that he has not forgotten us".

Above all, Leo had urged the Augustinian order to take care of the initial training of new members of the order as well as their own ongoing formation. "Like Pope Francis, Leo tells us that we must not forget the peripheries. We have missions in Cuba, Japan, Peru and other countries, and it is important to strengthen our presence there, and it is also important to collaborate with our confreres and sisters, Augustinians and lay people." (KNA)