This morning the General Assembly met to elect the remaining 5 members of the General Council. Prior to today's assembly, there were two straw votes. In the first, the Regions indicated which Brothers they wished to nominate for Councillor. In the second, the members of the General Assembly, based on the first straw vote, indicated their preferences for Councillor. In this morning's assembly, Br. Alvaro Rodriguez, Superior General, reminded the members of the Chapter that the previous straw votes were only informational, and any Brother in the Institute with final vows was eligible for election to the Council. After a period of prayer and reflection, the voting took place. To be elected, a councillor needs an absolute majority. The assembly elected the following councillors:

Br. Juan Pablo Martin Dueñas was born in Valladolid, Spain. He joined the district of Valladolid in 1971 and professed final vows in 1980. He taught in Burgos and in Valladolid (La Salle) and was in charge of the District pastoral ministry program for 7 years. He was Director of the La Salle School in Santiago de Compostela for 5 years. He has collaborated in group publications of FERE (Spanish Federation of Teaching Religious) on values education and education for justice. Currently he is Director at the Fray Luis de León teacher training school (Valladolid) and Director of the Scholasticate in Valladolid, posts he has held since 1994. His diplomas include: He holds a licentiate in Physical Science and an undergraduate degree in Catechetical Science. He has published articles on pastoral ministry for young people at the La Salle Vocational Center (Valladolid). He speaks Spanish and English.

Br. Claude Reinhardt was born in Mulhouse (Alsace), France. He is a former student of the Brothers of the district of Rheims, and did his university studies while beginning work as a teacher before entering the French novitiate in 1980. He made his perpetual profession in 1988. From 1986 to 1995 he was classroom teacher, in charge of pastoral care, boarding-master, and Director of Studies, at the Likès High School at Quimper. Following that he was Director of the Sainte Barbe Technological and Professional High School at Saint Etienne, before being appointed, in 1998, Auxiliary Visitor in the North East sector of the District of France. His diplomas include: Matriculation Licenciate in English (University of Rheims) Teacher's Diploma (Secondary Engineering) Licenciate in Theology (Catholic Institute of Paris) He speaks French, German, and English.

Br. Yemanu Jehar was born in Keren, Eriterea. He joined the district of Rome in 1961 and professed his final vows in Asmara, Eritrea in 1969. He has been a Teacher, School Headmaster, Director of Communities, President of the Eriterea/Ethiopia Delegation, and Director of Postulants and Novices. His diplomas include: Diploma Magistrale, In Italian Language, Roma. Associate Degree in Arts, Asmara University, Eriterea. Bachelor of Arts, Human Development and Religious Studies, Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Master of Arts, Human Development and Management, Salve REgina University, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. His ongoing formation includes: CIL, Sangre de Cristo and CNF (Course for New Formators). He speaks Tigrigna, Amharic, Italian, English and French. He understands Spanish.

Br. Marc Hofer was born in Bâle (Basel), Switzerland. He joined the district of Beançon in, 1966 and professed perpetual vows in 1978. He has been a teacher, Director of Formation, Visitor of the District of Besançon, Auxiliary Visitor of the District of France and the Delegate of Rwanda. Since 1993 has been on the General Council. His diplomas include: Diplôme de français et de commerce de l'Institut La Salle, Neuchâtel, Suisse. Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle d'employé de banque, Bâle, Suisse. Noviciat des Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes, Téloché, France. Scolasticat des Frères des Ecoles Chrétiennes, Annappes, France, Ecole Catéchétique, Lille, France. Baccalauréat du Lycée fédéral, Baden, Autriche. Diplôme d'Etat de professeur d'enseignement secondaire de l'Université catholique, Fribourg, Suisse. He speaks Spanish, English, French, Italian and German.

Although not a member of the 43rd General Chapter, Br. Miguel Campos was elected to the General Council. Br. Miguel was born in Guantanamo, Cuba. He joined the district of Baltimore in 1959 and professed perpetual vows in 1966. He has been a Teacher, Professor, Pastoral Minister, and Administrator. He is currently Pastoral Minister for the Diocese of Santiago de Cuba. His diplomas include: STD in Theology, University of the Lateran, Rome.

Work continues in the commissions and in the General Assembly. This evening, there will be a testimonial dinner for Br. John Johnston and the outgoing Council. On Friday morning, June 9th, the members of the Chapter will attend an audience with Pope John Paul II.