New chief general of the Oberzeller Franciscans chosen!

New chief general of the Oberzeller Franciscans chosen!

A new era begins for the Oberzeller Franciscans. On June 14, 2025, sister Juliana Seelmann (42) was elected to the new general chapter and thus assumes the responsibility of Sister Katharina Ganz (54), who was head of the congregation for 18 years. This election took place in Würzburg and united delegates from Germany, South Africa and the USA, which came together in a festive framework. The official handover of the office is planned for autumn, and the community is looking forward to the upcoming challenges.

Sister Juliana Seelmann has an impressive career. After training as a health and nurse in the Würzburg Mission medical clinic, she joined the Oberzell monastery in 2009. A volunteer year in South Africa shaped her way, and in 2015 she took her profession for life. Her commitment to the shared accommodation for asylum seekers shows her deep social concern. In particular, she is strong for the order to let people feel their uniqueness and dignity and asks to live this order together. In addition, Seelmann became known through a court proceedings that she had to survive in 2021/22 because she granted church asylum to a Nigerian. But the court spoke to her in 2022. Vaticannews reported that she was appointed novitiate manager in 2019 for the first time in the General Council.

Who has been able to look forward to the position so far?

Sister Katharina Ganz, Seelmann's predecessor, has given significant impulses during her 18-year term, especially with regard to the equality of women within the Catholic Church. It was not only a doctorate and social worker, but also a member of the synodal path. Your demand for more decentralization in the World Church has initiated many discussions and will probably continue within the new management team.

The congregation of the servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus, which includes the Oberzeller Franciscans, currently includes 87 members, 69 of which in Germany, 5 in the USA and 13 in South Africa. The community has a wide range of tasks and is very popular in the Catholic women's order landscape, which is characterized by numerous traditions. The Oberzeller Franciscans are part of this rich story, which unites many sisters who are involved in social and pastoral projects and who are now continuing their work under new management. katholisch.de informs that the general chapter is currently meeting to advise on the future of the order.

With sister Juliana Seelmann at the top, the community will surely take a new path that takes a look at both tradition and modern challenges. It is to be hoped that the new upper one will bring a good knack and the valuable order to guide and inspire the order, fulfilled with full devotion.