Brother William Short, OFM - Bio
Brother William Short, OFM is a friar of the Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and professor of Christian Spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego in California. In June 2026 he completed a nine-year term as Director of the Collegium S. Bonaventurae, International Center for Franciscan Studies and Research in Rome.
Br. Bill is a scholar of the Franciscan Sources and is one of the three editors of the 4 volumes of the Franciscan Sources in English. He has held various positions in the Order of Friars Minor including that of the Secretary of the 2015 General Chapter and General Visitor in Mexico and South Africa.
In Bro. Bill's words: "My great passion is to help others upack the revolutionary insights of Francis and Claire of Assisi. It is amazing to realize that these two friends had a vision of an inclusive Church community 800 years ago."
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, after graduating from the University of San Francisco, Bro. Bill entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Friars of St. Barbara Province, making his solemn profession of vows in 1978. After graduate studies in Berkeley and Rome, he was appointed to a teaching position at The Franciscan School of Theology, where he has subsequently served as Academic Dean and President. In addition to his academic work, he is also an amateur wine-maker, a native-plant gardener, and gifted in languages, serves as an interpreter - translator for many international Franciscan meetings.