The Franciscans of the Immaculate seminary in Boccea, Rome changes hands once again. The seminary which was closed by Pope Francis in 2013 is to be returned to its original owners on August 31.

 

The Franciscans of the Immaculate seminary in Boccea, Rome changes hands once again. The seminary which was closed by Pope Francis in 2013 is to be returned to its original owners on August 31.The Franciscans of the Immaculate presently at Boccea who offer Mass only in Italian will shift to their community house in Tiburtina, Rome.

After a decision of the courts the lay community, comprising relatives of Fr.Stefano Manelli the founder of the community, are expected to have the property returned to them.

The Franciscans of the Immaculate Friars will not be there at the seminary or the new church in the parish Santa Maria di Nazareth. The church will remain open. It is under Bishop Gino Reali,Bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina.-Lionel Andrades