ROME — The Order of Friars Minor reiterated its gratitude to Pope Francis for the publication of his encyclical “Laudato Si’” in the October issue of Fraternitas.
General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, said, “The commitment of Pope Francis to the poor and marginalized, to peace and reconciliation and to the care of the planet shows prophetic qualities that are derived from being in communion with God, with his fellow beings, with himself and with creation. For this very reason, Pope Francis has dared to embrace and carry out the mandate of the Christian apostolate modeled on the example of St. Francis of Assisi. His encyclical challenges all of us to simplify our life and to get rid of and abandon that which is not necessary to rediscover the beauty that God placed in us, in each person and in each created thing. Our vocation is to live in unbounded solidarity with all that God created.”
The Order encourages all Franciscans and those associated with the Franciscans to read and reflect on the encyclical. The Order has also prepared a study guide that contains practical suggestions for putting into practice the proposals presented in the encyclical. This study guide is available in seven languages on Francis35.org.
The next annual JPIC seminar at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome will focus its attention on the encyclical and on questions associated with environmental justice. Franciscan study centers around the world are invited to organize and propose programs based on the encyclical and to create their own study programs on the environment, and to strengthen those already in existence.
In other news from the Order, Pope Francis has appointed two friars as bishops — Fr. Jorge Enrique Concha Cayuqueo, OFM, provincial minister of the Franciscans in Chile, was appointed auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile, and Fr. George Bugeja, OFM, guardian of St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Gozo, Malta, was appointed coadjutor of the apostolic vicariate of Tripoli, Libya.
The current issue of Fraternitas, the Order’s monthly publication, also contains news about:
- The convocation in August of more than 70 lay brothers in the English-speaking Conference
- A gathering of 80 Brazilian Franciscan lay brothers from various branches of the Franciscan family — OFM, Conventuals, Capuchins, and Third Order Regular — at St. Anthony Seminary in Agudos, São Paulo, to celebrate fraternally and reflect on the lay dimension of their Franciscan vocation.
- The General Minister’s schedule for October, which includes visits to Assisi, Rome, the Netherlands, Croatia, Mexico and the United States of America
Information about the Order, as well as links to its social media pages, can be found on OFM.org.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.
Related Links
- “’Laudato Si’’ Inspires Francis Feast Celebrations” — Sept. 30, 2015, HNP Today
- “New Jersey Parish Launches Website About Environment” — Sept. 29, 2015, HNP Today
- “Recalling Experiences at Masses Celebrated by ‘People’s Pope’” — Sept. 30, 2015, HNP Today