Franciscan takes on national leadership

A Franciscan priest who has served in the Albany Diocese for years is about to assume a national role.

Rev. Paul Lininger, OFM, Conv., is the new executive director of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), based in Silver Spring, Maryland. He had been provincial treasurer and trustee of the Immaculate Conception Province of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Rensselaer.

The CMSM is made up of leaders who represent 20,000 vowed priests and brothers from more than 200 religious communities of men in the U.S.

Issues ahead

"For me, this appointment is an opportunity to address some important issues that directly affect our communities," Father Lininger told The Evangelist. "Today's religious life is undergoing a metamorphosis. The challenges are many and multi-faceted."

One of the biggest challenges, he continued, is how to respond to people in today's culture while maintaining a viable, vital community experience for brothers and priests.

In his new role, Father Lininger will travel frequently to Rome, and he expects to meet Pope Benedict XVI. He will also be in ongoing discussions with U.S. cardinals, archbishops and bishops.

Listener

A major portion of his work is, "first and foremost, listening to what these leaders have to say," Father Lininger said. "It's a large part of my job."

He's had experience in listening as a licensed counselor, at times for the Albany diocesan Counseling for Laity office. In addition, he is a former faculty member of St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.

As a representative of CMSM's board of directors, he said he will be "collaborating, cooperating and engaging in open dialogue with the community leadership" in an effort to "assist them in becoming effective leaders in establishing Catholic social teaching by promoting the sacredness of life, peace and justice in the midst of global war and capitalistic economies."

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