Province of St. Joseph

Our 2026-2029 Provincial Council

The 2026-2029 Provincial Council

Br. Steven Kropp, OFM Cap. has been elected to serve as Provincial Minister to lead the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph for the next three years. Kropp assumes leadership for his first term, following the two terms of Br. Mark Joseph Costello, OFM Cap., who led the Province from 2020-2026. The Provincial Minister serves as the elected leader for the St. Joseph Province of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

Kropp, a native of Hartford, Wisconsin, was invested with the Capuchin habit in 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004. His ministerial background includes serving at the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit, including as its director from 2021-2025. Br. Steve has a varied background that includes Director of Postulancy and Fraternal Collaboration from 2015-2017 and Provincial Vicar from 2017-2020. He ministered most recently as the Pastor of the Crow Reservation Parishes in southeastern Montana.

In addition, a new provincial council has been elected to advise the Provincial Minister. The council is made up of:

  • First Councilor and Provincial Vicar Br. Nicholas Blattner, OFM Cap.
  • Second Councilor Br. William Hugo, OFM Cap.
  • Third Councilor Br. Igor De Bliquy, OFM Cap.
  • Fourth Councilor Br. Roach Gaspar, OFM Cap.

Br. Nicholas Blattner of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin ministers in Detroit in the Office of Provincial Ministries and Human Resources. Br. Bill Hugo, a native of Chilton, Wisconsin, currently ministers as the Rector/President of St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. Born in South Africa, Br. Igor De Bliquy ministers at Capuchin Retreat Center in Washington Township and as Director of Communications. Br. Roach Gaspar is a native of Elayankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. He is currently ministering as Director of Post Novitiate and Ministry Formation in Chicago. Br. Roach ministers in the Province of St. Joseph through a Fraternal Collaboration Agreement with the Capuchin Province of Amala Annai in Tamil Nadu, India.

“I am truly humbled to serve my brother Capuchins and the people of God,” said Br. Steve Kropp. “The Capuchins of the Province of St. Joseph have been serving the Church and those in need for more than 150 years, modeling the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. My brother Capuchins and I will continue to advance this work in the years ahead, and we ask for your continued prayers.”

The new leadership team takes office immediately. A new provincial minister and provincial council are elected by the friars of the Province every three years during a Provincial Chapter meeting. The newly-appointed Provincial Minister and Council will serve a three-year term that expires upon the next leadership election in 2029. The 49th Provincial Chapter occurred June 1-5 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. At this chapter meeting, the friars of the Province met face-to-face to discuss and discern the future of the Province and to elect new leadership.