Siena University friars elected to lead all U.S. Franciscans

The friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe elected Brother Michael Perry, OFM, (l.) as the next provincial minister and Father Erick Lopez, OFM, as the next provincial vicar in a July 15 vote held at the 2026 Chapter of Elections in St. Louis, Mo. (Photo provided)

Two Franciscan friars closely connected with Siena University have been elected to the top national leadership positions in their religious order.

The friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe elected Brother Michael Perry, OFM, as the next provincial minister and Father Erick Lopez, OFM, as the next provincial vicar in a July 15 vote held at the 2026 Chapter of Elections in St. Louis, Mo.

Both will begin their six-year terms immediately. Together they will help guide the province’s mission and the future of Franciscan life across the United States for more than 650 friars.

“This is a moment of immense celebration for us,” said Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. “We are incredibly excited for Brother Michael to bring his extraordinary vision to the Franciscan Friars of the United States. He has lived a remarkable life completely dedicated to justice, peace, and international solidarity.

“Father Erick’s deep pastoral wisdom, compassionate leadership and personification of the Franciscan way have been an invaluable asset to our board since 2019. We are incredibly proud to see him take on this new leadership role alongside Brother Michael,” Seifert added.

Brother Michael has served as founding director of the Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology at Siena since 2023. He received an honorary degree and was commencement speaker at Siena in 2022.

He served the worldwide Order of Friars Minor as minister general, the 120th successor of St. Francis of Assisi, from 2013- 2021, as well as provincial councilor and provincial minister for the legacy Sacred Heart Province. Brother Michael worked at the International Office of Justice and Peace at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as Catholic Relief Services and Franciscans International, which works on human rights, poverty, peace and integral ecology at the United Nations. He also served as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Father Erick is a member of Siena’s Board of Trustees. He has served as regional vocation director, guardian and provincial councilor of the former Holy Name Province.

The election marks a significant moment in the life of the province, which was established in 2023 through the unification of all five U.S. Franciscan provinces. This was the first Provincial Chapter of Elections held by the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe since that union.