Friars' Activities

Recently, representatives of the Franciscans around the world met in Vossenack in Germany to discuss the issues of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). Here are some of their reflections:

Solidarity with the poor and all Creation

The forces of globalization present enormous challenges to us as Franciscans in today's world. The globalization of the market economy is benefiting a minority of people on the planet and is unleashing a process that is impoverishing the most vulnerable, depriving many of the basics of life. The issues of mass migrations of people, and the neglect and violation of human rights, the destruction of nature, the crushing foreign debt of poor countries, and many more, urge us to identify ourselves as Franciscans more intensely with the poor and with their struggles.

In the International community and at local levels there is much talk about development and financing of poor countries and the right of every person to development. Many assumptions of development are outdated and unexamined, and they lead to dangerous results. To achieve the kind of world that we envision, all people must work toward a new model of society. Our vision is that of a sustainable society where all God's creation will be respected and a dignified life will be assured for all.

JPIC in formation and Evangelization

The life of each friar is a process of ongoing formation. Some are at the beginning of the journey, and the challenge of our life is very strong and new. Others are concerned with the difficulty of facing the ever-new challenges of being friars in today's world.

We invite our Franciscan philosophers and theologians from all areas of the world to engage in a series of serious reflections on JPIC values and issues and their integration into the Franciscan vision of life.

The themes of JPIC demand both local and global responses. We believe that it is time for the Order to consider the possibility of establishing small international groups of friars who are specifically trained to be competent in conflict resolution, the defence of human rights and environmental problems. At the provincial level we recommend the development of new programs of Franciscan lifestyles and evangelization, which offer concrete experiences related to the values of JPIC.