Rome-based U.S. priest elected to head Atonement friars

Published: 2004-06-09

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Father James F. Puglisi, a 57-year-old native of Amsterdam, N.Y., has been named to succeed Father Arthur M. Johnson as minister general of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, the order announced. The new leader was chosen at a general chapter May 18-28 at the headquarters of the friars, Graymoor at Garrison, N.Y., and was scheduled to be installed there June 17. However, Father Walter Gagne, a spokesman for the order, said in a telephone interview with Catholic News Service June 7 that Father Puglisi would continue to live in Rome, where he has served at the order's Centro Pro Unione since 1973 and as director since 1991. Focused on ecumenism, a special apostolate of the Atonement friars, the Rome center maintains a research library, issues publications and carries out an educational program.

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