Ethical Investment: The General Definitory agrees that the JPIC International Council’s recommendation on ethical investment is important. Before agreeing to the publication of formation material and guidelines for the Provinces, they asked the JPIC office to investigate what policies other religious institutes in Rome follow in relation to this theme.

 

JPIC Animation Committee meeting: The meeting was held in Silver Spring, Washington, from September 21-24, 2001. A summery of what was discussed and recommended follows.

 

Continental meeting of the Americas: This will take place in San Luis Rey retreat centre, Southern California, November 25-30, 2002. All JPIC provincial animators of North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, are invited to attend. An invitation letter will be sent to every JPIC animator and his provincial. The idea for such a meeting arose from a recommendation made at the JPIC International Council meeting held in Vossenack, October 2000. Mark Schroeder, Santa Barbara, will coordinate the logistics. Alejandro Castillo and Joe Rozansky, members of the animation committee, will liase with the four Conference coordinators to establish the programme.

 

JPIC International Council meeting: It was also decided to hold the next ICJPIC meeting immediately following the Continental meeting of the Americas. It will take place in San Louis Rey, December 1-5, 2002. The International Council members (15 Conference Coordinators) are also invited to participate in the meeting of the Americas. Details about the meeting and preparation will be communicated soon.

 

Long term planning for the JPIC International Council meeting: the Following the Continental meeting there will be five days for the Council to discuss more global issues and business. Some ideas emerged about the structure and content of the meeting. Day 1 will be dedicated to the evaluation of Conference projects, Vossenack agreements and proposals, as well as the JPIC office report. Day 2 will work with a series of proposals (those presented by the Animation Committee; workbook for Manual; ecology; non-violence/conflict resolution; and others). Proposals must be presented in writing, before the meeting begins; they must provide a justification and suggestions on how they will be implemented. Day 3 will look at the structures of JPIC in the Order, proposals for General Chapter, the International Council and for other levels of the Order. We will evaluate many proposals. Day 4 we will sift through all the proposals, determining which are most relevant. In the evening we will look for names to propose for the Animation Committee. On Day 5 we will look to refine the proposals that we feel are most relevant and take decisions. Who will carry them out? How? When? The meeting will end with an evaluation.

 

Letter to the Brothers of the Order concerning the events of September 11, 2001. The Animation Committee sent a letter to all the brothers of the Order lamenting the terrorist attack on the United States, uniting in solidarity with the victims and encouraging the brothers to influence their politicians to look for long term solutions to these sorts of violent attacks and not to settle for military solutions. They also suggested that key dates like that of the feast of St. Francis and the anniversary of the Ecumenical meeting in Assisi, 27 October, could be moments for inter-religious prayer or outreach, especially towards our Muslim brethren. Copies of the letter have been posted on the Curia web-page and are also available in the JPIC office.

 

A project to Support our OFM brothers working with refugees etc,: The Animation Committee invited Joe Nangel ofm and Megan White, of the Franciscan Mission Service (FMS), to discuss a proposal. After sharing about the efforts to date in following through with the General Chapter’s recommendation (8.4), concerning refugees and other marginalized groups, it was decided to investigate whether brothers working with these groups would be interested in receiving help from lay missionaries. The FMS is willing to train and accompany lay missionaries, placing them with programmes or projects related to the aforementioned marginalized groups, where our OFM brothers are involved. The JPIC office has written to the OFM brothers working with refugees, displaced people, landless and ethnic minorities, known to the JPIC office, asking if they are interested in receiving lay missionaries and if so, to specify their needs. If there is a positive response, the JPIC office will make an appeal to the brothers in the Order to encourage the laity, with whom they are working, to participate according to the manifest needs and criteria of the project. In fact, FMS is already sponsoring three lay missionaries; one working with the displaced in Colombia and two working with the landless in Brazil. The project also encourages the participation of religious men and women. More information will be made available later if the project proceeds. We encourage our brothers working with refugees and other marginalized groups to let the JPIC office know as soon as possible of their interest in participating. A copy of the explanitry letter sent is available from the JPIC office.

 

Active Non Violence: In the light of what happened in the USA on September 11, 2001, and with so many armed conflicts raging around the world, the Animation Committee returned to the topic of conflict resolution training and active non-violence. Several resolutions made at Vossenack 2000 touched on these areas of concern. What can we do as Franciscans faced with the culture of violence? What about our own violence? Are we trained to deal with violent situations? What is available for those who are interested in learning more? Should we organize brothers on an international level to help in conflict resolution or should we support other groups already doing so? We decided to take the following steps:

 

• Invite the Pace e Bene centre for non-violence, Las Vegas, to compile a short booklet on non-violence and it’s relevance to Franciscans. It may be sponsored by the Franciscan Family and Franciscans International. It will be translated into different languages. The objective of the booklet is to introduce Franciscans to active non-violence and give orientation to those interested in pursuing it further.
• Maintain contact with the organizers of the “International Peace Force” (NP). They are interested in training people in non-violence, willing to participate in designated projects, where armed conflict and human rights violations are rampant. Members of the OFM JPIC ESC have agreed to keep us informed. Jim Hofmann met with one of the organizers and has received a number of requests from them: (1)  NP would like us to enlist more endorsers for  NP. The Provincial Definitory of the Province of Santa Barbara has endorsed it. (2)  NP would like our help in forming affinity groups in order to deepen our own commitment to non-violence, to seek opportunities to put non-violence into practice on the local level, and to raise funds for them. (3)  NP wants our assistance in the recruitment of non-violent peace workers.  They would like to get 4 Franciscan brothers willing to commit to becoming  non-violent peace workers by November 2002.  They would like our help in training peace workers.  They would also like us to support one peace worker financially.
  (4)   They are also interested in Jeff Scheeler and Henry Beck’s proposal about a permanent group of Franciscans willing to intervene in conflict situations.   (5)  NP wants the idea spread among Returned Franciscan Missionaries to see if there is any interest in their becoming NP peace workers. For more details contact Jim Hoffmann ofm at jhoffofm@aol.com or the JPIC office pax@ofm.org

 

Animation committee meetings in 2002: Rome, February 1-7, 2002 and July 22-27 (location to be determined).

 

International Seminar on “Market based Land Reform”: In view of the ever increasing intensity of criticisms against neoliberal policies of structural adjustment, in the early 90's the World Bank announced the need to pay more attention to programmes that combat poverty. Agrarian policies started to be the central part of this new orientation, but with a fundamental difference: the key player in land reform stops being the State and gives up this role to the market. The model of “market based land reform” or “negotiated land reform” was applied in different countries in the world, and also received much criticism from the rural social movements, mainly due to the fact that this model substitutes existing programmes of land reform: the slogan “land for those who cultivate it” becomes “land for those who can buy it.” Because of these concerns the Washington office and the Brazil JPIC commission will organize an International Seminar on the Market Based Land Reform to coincide with the upcoming World Bank meetings, in Washington, in April of 2002. For more details contact Rodrigo (76750.2474@compuserve.com) in Brazil or David in Washington: OFMWashington@att.net

 

 

Report on Brazil’s JPIC Conference ongoing formation programme: Several Brazilian brothers, from different provinces, met in Bacabal, July 28-August 11, 2001 for the IV JPIC Franciscan formation course. They used the methodology of the Lectio Divina: Reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. They heard stories of work done by brothers of the Vice-Province of Bacabal for JPIC values: Family agricultural projects, work with marginalized women, drug addicts, and the landless. Peter Schorr ofm was present for some of the meeting.

 

Call for Peace: Inspired by the example of St. Francis going to the Sultan, the JPIC commission affirms in an open letter of October 11, 2001, that “ international conflicts cannot be resolved by terrorism or war”. They express their fear that the militarisation of international relations is in danger of “reducing personal and collective liberties”. They believe that the actual crisis is closely linked to the present market economy. They propose dialogue as the only authentic way to bring peace. To achieve this, the conflict in the middle East needs to be resolved as well as the many wars in Africa. International organizations which work for justice need to be supported, especially in their work to prevent conflict. Finally, the brothers emphasise the importance of the promotion of a culture of non-violence, to which they offer their full support.

JPIC Seminar in Argentina: Seventy Franciscan men and women, including speakers, OFS and brothers in initial formation participated. The seminar was organized by the JPIC commissions of the three Argentinean Provinces. The objective was to give an overall understanding of JPIC as an integral part of the Franciscan vocation and mission.

 

Dutch Province support local initiatives for peace: As a counter sign to war and the violent resolution of conflict, the Dutch friars are willing to support economically small projects in favour of peace. The following gives an idea of the type of project they are willing to finance: refugee work, inter-religious education programmes, projects with the homeless themselves as protagonists, anti racist work, suicide prevention programmes. For further information contact Br. Wim Moons or Br. Louis Bohte at: LouisBohte@hetnet.nl

 

Franciscan Institute for the culture of Peace appeal for restraint: An appeal for restraint was sent to the US ambassador in Croatia. It was co-signed by Caritas Croatia and CroPax. As well as expressing solidarity and condolence with the people of the United States they called for “restraint from any vengeance”, supporting an appeal made by John Paul II. They concluded with the following encouraging words: “We feel obliged to share this positive spirit and our own positive experience with the work of forgiveness with the American people and government at this very crucial moment of human history. Forgiving does not mean knuckling under terrorism or neglecting the victims. On the contrary, restraining from retaliation makes it possible to combat every kind of evil in a more effective way and bring about justice and lasting peace for all members of the human family on Earth.” For copies of the letter write to Boze Vuleta ofm: kultura-mira@st.tel.hr

 

 

 

Statement for peace from OFM ESC JPIC commission and Washington office: They called for “caution with respect to a vengeful spirit which has begun to manifest itself in the reactions among many of our national leaders to the tragic events of September 11.” Reprisals they say “ can only lead to an escalation of the violence....” In his time, St. Francis “chose the path of dialogue and prayer with the Church’s adversaries, going himself to converse at length with a Moslem sultan”. For this reason the commission “stand(s) in solidarity with our Moslem brothers and sisters, as we together look to live in peace with all the world.” They conclude by calling on the appointed leadership of the national government to “take to heart the prayer ascribed to St. Francis, which we his followers pray on behalf of our United States: Lord, make us instruments of your Peace.”

JPIC and Formation experience in Santa Barbara: Mark Schroeder, JPIC animator, took the postulants on a day-long tour of farm worker conditions in Oregon and to a union meeting with farm workers who were on strike because of bad working conditions.

 

Itinerant fraternity in Colombia: They sent a report to the JPIC office on their visit to the communities in the region of South Bolivar in August of this year. For details of the report contact fidmed426@hotmail.com The brothers are looking for financial support to continue their ministry to the displaced communities of Colombia. Copies of the project can be obtained from them or through the JPIC office. In the light of the continuing violence and attacks against human rights defenders, including the recent murder of a religious woman, we need to keep our attention focused there and continue to support those working for peace.

 

Indian JPIC commission: The names of the JPIC committee members of the Province are: James Kallarakkan, Sleeva Reddy, Soosai Raj, Bobby and Jesu Irudayam. They met in July and agreed to work on the following: (a) To look for the co-operation of the guardians to use the JPIC Resource Book in community animation. Draw up action plans on issues of water management and plastic waste management in the friaries, and in their local communities. (b) in close collaboration with the formators more clearly define the formation exposure programs (experiences). (c) In the pastoral field on JPIC issues, to initiate the concept of  neighbourhood communities which are inter-religious.

The International Conference on Fresh Water: The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is to host the International Conference on Freshwater. The Conference will take place from 3 - 7 December 2001, in Bonn, Germany. This conference is not a UN conference, but a place where people interested in the water issue go…and try to influence what goes on elsewhere. It is useful for contacts, documents, networking etc. It follows the Hague water conference of last year.

Issue no.1 for NGOs are the intentions to privatise water supplies in the third world, imposed on them by donors, directly or via World Bank Structural Adjustment programmes. Since local investors don't have the money to buy the companies, they usually end up in the hands of one the world's 10 water multinationals,…whose main concern is to make profits, and not supply water needs of the poor..(at least public utilities are supposed to do that, and subject to national parliamentary control). and of course, climate change will impact the water supply situation in many places. For further information: http://www.water-2001.de/2001/

 

Joint JPIC/Formation letter: Peter Schorr and Jose Carballo have written a joint letter encouraging both the JPIC and Formation commissions to meet and collaborate at every level of the Order. They recognize the importance of having JPIC concepts and experiences introduced into initial and ongoing formation programmes. Copies of the letter will be posted on the Curia web page in Spanish, Italian and English. The JPIC office will send copies of the letter via email to all JPIC animators with the assistance of the International Council members.

 

JPIC Resource Book on Internet: It can be accessed on the Internet at the following address: http://www.wtu.edu/franciscan/packs/handbook/ It is currently available in English, Spanish, French and German.

 

Meeting of Members of Franciscan General Definitories in Rome: In coordination with the JPIC Rome office, Franciscans International have invited members of the General Definitories based in Rome to a meeting in the OFM General Curia on October 29, 2001. The morning meeting will reflect on the situation in Africa on how the Franciscan family might collaborate, as well clarifying how FI can help. The afternoon session will reflect on the possibility of setting up a task force to respond to the refugee and asylum seekers plight in Europe.

 

The ESC-JPIC Council: will meet November 13 to 16, 2001 at Holy Name College, Silver Spring, MD.

 

Addresses of members:

• Alejandro Castillo, Mexico has opened an additional email for correspondence relating to the Americas meeting: ofmjpic@hotmail.com
• Matthias Huber, Angerzellgasse 5, Postfach 12, A- 6010 Innsbruck, Tel: 0512-583092-19 email: matthias@franziskaner.tsn.at
• Pietro Kafas, animator of the province of St. Hedvige in Poland: kefaspiotr@poczta.fm
• Vicente Felipe Tapia, Fraternidad Franciscana, 28751 LA CABRERA (Madrid), Tel. 91-868 85 61, Mobile: 34-657 68 96 65, E-mail: VFelipe@compuserve.com

 

 

Gearóid Francisco Ó Conaire, OFM

OFM JPIC Office

Via S. Maria Mediatrice 25

00165 Rome, ITALY

E-mail: pax@ofm.org Web: http://www.ofm.org/

Tel: (+39-06) 6849-1218       Fax: (+39-06) 6849-1266