Minister General’s letter to President Bush: Bro. Giacomo wrote to the President of the USA on April 2, 2002, appealing to him “to intervene to put an immediate stop to this latest and most serious escalation of violence here and in other parts of the Holy Land.” For a copy of the text cf., www.ofm.org

GG.CC. Article 69 ‑

1. In protecting the rights of the oppressed, the friars are to renounce violent action and have recourse to means that are otherwise available even to the powerless (1).

2. Conscious also of the terrible dangers that threaten the human race, the friars are to denounce in the strongest terms every kind of warlike action and the arms race as a very serious calamity for the world and a very great injury to the poor, (2); they are to spare neither work nor sacrifice to build up God's kingdom of peace (3).

 

Quotes:

v       "If I find myself entirely absorbed in the service of the community, the reason behind it was my desire for self-realization. I have made the religion of service my own as I felt God would only be realized through service. And service for me was India."

- Mahatma Gandhi

 

v       “As for the source of terrorism, there can be no doubt that it comes from the enormous gap between the haves and the have-nots. Unless prosperity is shared and ignorance and poverty eradicated, in the long run we will not win this war against terrorism. In all this, once again, it is the strong who must be magnanimous.”

Bishop Desmond Tutu.

 

Climate Change Booklet: Francisco is one of the coordinators of an inter-congregational working group on climate change which has produced a booklet for study and reflection in religious communities. It is being translated into all the principal languages. The Mexican JPIC commission of the Franciscan Family is helping with the design. It will be shortly available on PDF file on the internet and via email. The commission is contacting the Major Superiors of each country in the world and asking them to put climate change on their agenda and to encourage the use of the booklet in their respective communities. Contact is also being established, where they exist, with the inter-congregational national JPIC commissions. The object is not only to provide information and reflective material, but to establish networks between the JPIC international group of promoters and national JPIC commissions. To date translations have been completed in five languages ( English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian ). Commitments have been made for translations in Basque, Catalan, Japanese, Cantonese, Korean, Polish and Croatian.

 

Franciscan nonviolence booklet: the third draft of the booklet has been completed. The JPIC office would like examples on how nonviolence is being lived and promoted in the Franciscan world. Short descriptions would be welcomed before mid April. The interfranciscan JPIC commission have endorsed the booklet and have agreed to help translate it into Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese. The original version is in the English language. The booklet commissioned by the animation committee has been written by the Pace e Bene centre for nonviolence in Las Vegas. The distribution process for the material has still to be worked out, but it will be placed on the internet, leaving publication to the Franciscan family or individual congregations in each country. Already a OFM Cap publication house in India has agreed to print and distribute it there. If anyone has information or ideas on how best to print and distribute this wonderful resource for the initial and ongoing formation of Franciscans please get in touch with the office.

 

Ethical/Alternative Investment: Johannes Hoffman, a German professor addressed the General Definitory and the General Economo on alternative and ethical investments in March 2002. He started his presentation with a question, “how can we witness to the saving presence of God in money matters?” He shared the experience of how a ‘rating system’ in Germany is being used to encourage healthy sustainable competition among economic and industrial sectors. Companies and businesses are rated according to a three fold dimension of sustainability ( cultural, social and environmental) and the results are published. Strong sustainable policies consider nature as non-negotiable, whereas much of the thrust behind the present economic model is to maximize economic growth, with scant regard for the plight of the poor or for future generations. In the afternoon Fr. Rufus Whitley OMI, General Ecomomo, presented their international investment policy. He also talked about the Interfaith Centre on Corporate Responsibility ( ICCR), a coalition of 275 Protestant, Jewish and Roman Catholic Institutional Investors from the USA and Canada. The JPIC office will now develop a short reflection paper on alternative and ethical investments and make it available too Provincial Definitories and local fraternities.

 

JPIC Resource Book:

v       Internet – new provisional site: Until further notice the JPIC Manual has been moved to a new site, due to work on the present server. It can be accessed at: http://jim.mcintosh.org/handbook/

v       Acrobat reader version of the JPIC Manual: for copies contact Jurgen Neitzert a2379783@Smail.Uni-Koeln.de or pax@ofm.org

v       Polish edition of JPIC manual: the translation has been completed and the Ministers Provincial will decide how many copies to publish. It is hoped each brother in the Conference will receive a copy. The JPIC office will suggest extra copies be published for use by members of the Franciscan family.

 

Vossenack Publications: The material can also be accessed on the following web site: http://www.franciscans.de/kongress/english/doc/english.pdf

http://www.franciscans.de/kongress/espanol/doc/spanish.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vieques - Franciscan/Dominican collaboration: A new committee of Franciscans and Dominicans in Puerto Rico has been established to support the efforts to stop the island being used as a live ammunition target range. The Superiors and one other brother from both Orders, two lawyers and two residents of the island are members of the committee. One member is participating in the Human Rights Commission in Geneva 2002. The committee will participate in civil disobedience, illuminate from the faith perspective what is happening and encourage international solidarity with the cause. The committee was officially established at a press conference on Holy Tuesday. For further information contact Dario Carrero ofm adcarrero@hotmail.com or Linda Backiel: backiel@coqui.net

 

Ongoing formation on JPIC in Central America: the 1999 Provincial Chapter called for the organization of an annual week-long seminar for all brothers to take place in different parts of the Province ( Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica/Panama, Nicaragua and Haiti). The final in the series of three seminars, which is taking place this year, has JPIC as it’s theme. Prayer and Evangelisation were the themes of the previous seminars. The fundamental question for the participants was: “How to integrate JPIC into fraternal life and pastoral work?” They reflected on life in the fraternity, formation process and especially parish ministry, in which the majority of brothers are involved. The JPIC commission of the Province, assisted by the ongoing formation and evangelisation teams, organized the programme as well as assuming responsibility for it’s implementation. Most brothers have participated giving positive evaluations of the content and methodology. The theory and rational for JPIC in the Franciscan life was discussed, as well as practical ways to implement it. Other organizations involved in social justice were invited to share their experiences, as for example, those working with prostitutes in El Salvador. One of the conclusions in Guatemala was the need for the JPIC Provincial commission to work closely with the Franciscan Centre in organizing JPIC formation courses for leaders of the Franciscan family. For further information Carlos Torres ofm, at: bienjpe@netcomsa.com

 

El Salvador and Ecology: the interfranciscan JPIC commission is promoting an Environmental educational programme in seven parishes in the archdioceses of San Salvador. They are currently setting up a web page.

 

East Asia Conference meeting: the meeting took place in Hong Kong 20-22 February 2002, with delegates from the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Francisco O Conaire represented the Rome office.

Joseph Seok ofm, Korea, was appointed Coordinator of the EAC JPIC Commission by the EAC Provincial Ministers in June 2001. However, William Ng, Hong Kong, graciously assumed responsibility for the organization of this meeting. The hard reality of life as an immigrant was brought home to the commission by two Philippine workers, members of an organization set up to support immigrants and their families in Hong Kong. There are large numbers of immigrants in many of the more economically prosperous East Asian countries. The need for religious to support them and their cause was emphasised, as well as the more long term goal of forming international migration organizations, in order to influence decision making processes with regard to immigration issues and laws. The commission agreed to explore how to support immigrants in each country.

The Coadjutor Bishop of Hong Kong, Joseph Zen, SDB, gave a presentation on life in the Church in China and Hong Kong. A native of Shanghai, he is a staunch supporter of the diocesan Justice and Peace commission, which has six full time workers. He shared some of the pressing justice issues facing the church in Hong Kong, one of which is the right of abode issue: the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal made a ruling that children born of Hong Kong citizens could have a right of abode in Hong Kong irrespective of the place of birth. In a series of suspect moves by the Chinese government, many of these people are facing imminent deportation to mainland China, despite having lived most of their lives in Hong Kong.

Each coordinator gave a report on JPIC work in their province. There is an obvious need for the provinces to work on a basic plan of action to incorporate JPIC in the life and ministry of the Provinces. The coordinators agreed to have a plan in place, however basic, by the end of this year. The commission will ask permission from the EAC provincials to organize a two week formation course, in August 2003 in the Philippines. Allan Arcebuche, JPIC animator of the Philippines Province, will elaborate a schema for the course, to be presented with the proposal to the Ministers Provincial in mid 2002. Pending approval, an invitation will be extended to the SAAO JPIC animators, as well as to any other friar in Asia interested in learning more about JPIC. The brothers agreed to have the JPIC Manual translated into Korean, Japanese ( first draft finished) and Cantonese by 2003. Each Province will be asked to economically support the work of Franciscans International on an annual basis. The documents on global warming, produced by the inter-congregational working group, as well as the booklet on Franciscan nonviolence, commissioned by the animation committee, will be translated into the languages of the Conference at the initiative of each national JPIC commission. This material will be offered for use in the ongoing formation process of the Conference. Francisco agreed to share the conclusions of the meeting with the Vietnamese Province on a subsequent follow up visit.

 

Japan – JPIC lived in a local fraternity: In Kyoto, the place from which the international agreement to reduce green house gases takes its name, the brothers do very simple but effective ecology work in the fraternity, while at the same time working in a parish. They have solar panels on the roof of the house, which provides 80% of their energy requirements ( one third paid for by a government grant). They recycle their chop sticks for making paper and have encouraged the collection of 3½ tons by others, as well as collecting rain water for use in the toilet and the garden. They also walk and use the bicycle as much as possible.

 

Australia - Appointment of a full time JPIC coordinator: Julie Morgan (julie_morgan19@hotmail.com ) Caritas Australia, was appointed in March 2002, as a full time paid staff member for the JPIC animation of the Province. She will work with Nick Lucas (nlucas@stfrancis.org.au ), JPIC provincial animator. Julie will stay on the Caritas Internationalis Reconciliation Working Group. This is excellent news and we wish Julie every blessing in the new appointment and look forward to working with her.

 

India and inter-religious education: Bobby Vadakkal, JPIC animator for the SAAO Conference and a member of the animation committee informs the JPIC office that a new initiative for inter-religious peace education has been launched in the schools in Raipur, northern India. The State Govt. is giving support. Bobby was asked to co-ordinate the citizens forum, which consists of representatives from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, Islam and Christian schools. The Official inauguration is planned for May 11, 2002.

 

A response from the Holy Spirit Province (Australia) on issues related to asylum seekers: In the light of the controversy surrounding the Australian Governments policy of the internment of asylum seekers and the infamous case of the turning away a boatload of Afghan refugees, just before presidential elections at the end of 2001, the Australian Province made a public statement in February of 2002. They place the present situation within it’s historical context, explain what the current position is and what the Franciscan response should be, basing their arguments on quotes from our GG.CC. for a more humane, enlightened and compassionate treatment. They conclude by saying: “The prolonged and indefinite detention of the elderly, young, infirm and ill in the name of administrative efficiency, without consideration of the special needs of these people is cruel and inconsistent with their fundamental human dignity. Any policy must have sufficient flexibility to respond in an appropriately compassionate fashion.” For a copy of the full text contact Matthew Beckman ofm at: mtbofm@lavalink.com.au or pax@ofm.org

 

Attack on Church in Pakistan: Sebastian Shaw ofm, Provincial, sent the office a report by the inter-congregational JP commission of Pakistan. Five Christians died after an attack on the Church in Islamabad, on March 17 and about 70 people were injured, among them several foreign nationals. For further information contact Fr. Sebastian at: ofm@cyber.net.pk

 

Friar kidnapped: Luis Alberto, a brother from the Santa Fe province of Colombia and a member of their JPIC commission was kidnapped in February by the FARC guerrillas, as he happened to be coincidentally travelling on a bus commandeered by them. He was released unharmed after a week.

 

Holy Land: Marco Malagola, JPIC coordinator for the Custody informed the Rome office about the participation in a protest of 50 brothers in front of the Israeli Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, appealing for restraint and a peaceful negotiated solution to the conflict. As we write 30 of our brothers are in the Sanctuary of the Nativity with 200 Palestinians, surrounded by the Israeli army. Marco informed the office that a new JPIC commission has been established in the Custody; Georges Abou Khazen ( P.P. in Jerusalem), Amjad Sabbarra ( P.P. in Bethlehem). It has not been an easy task to promote JPIC, both within the Custody and in the region. They were involved in a sit-in demonstration organized by Pax Christi protesting at the construction of a Mosque in Nazareth, which has since been stopped. The commission is taking small steps to help create JPIC awareness among the brothers, for example, publishing articles in the Custodial reviews and magazines, educating the scouts in every parish in peace building.

Non Violence Peace Force: Iggy Harding, who will return to Bolivia in June, asked the office to promote the Nonviolence Peace Force www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org The Santa Barbara Province, California, is the only Franciscan entity to endorsed it to date.

 

South Africa and participation of brothers in Racism Conference: Five Brothers of the South Africa Province, including the Minister Provincial, participated in the UN Conference on Racism in 2001, accredited through Franciscans International. Along with other FI delegates they also met representatives of the World Bank in a local friary, who were particularly interested in hearing the Franciscan point of view.

 

JPIC initial and ongoing formation in Italy: there has been a series of JPIC formation activities in many of the Italian provinces. JPIC was the central theme in the ongoing formation seminars in Sicily in December 2001 and for the three provinces together of the Campagna region ( Naples, Salerno and Benevento) in March 2002. Pablo Maiello, JPIC animator for the Rome Province, animated the reflection in Sicily as did Francisco in Salerno. In December 2001, Jurgen Neitzert ofm, gave a two day joint formation seminar to the Definitory of the Lombardy Province and their JPIC commission. Pietro Pagliarini, a member of the Lombardy JPIC commission and a theology student in Verona, organized a seminar for the students of both the Lombard and Venice province in Verona, March 2002. Peter Tindo ofm, a Sudanese brother, now studying in the Antoniamum, as well as a Comboni missionary, shared about life in Sudan. Francisco also gave an overview of JPIC in the Order and ideas on formation in JPIC, with particular emphasis on practical experiences

 

Interim JPIC coordination: Boze Vuleta has taken a Sabbatical year and is presently recuperating from an operation on his back. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank him for so many valuable years of service to the animation of JPIC in the Conference and in the Order. The Peace Institute in Split will be coordinated by a Franciscan sister, Rebecca, who has just returned from finishing her Doctoral studies in Austria. For communications with the Conference on JPIC issues contact Stane Zore ofm , (prov.ofm@email.si) provincial, Slovenia Province and President of the Conference.

Croatia: Zlatko Spehar ofm (zlatko.spehar@ofm.hr ), JPIC animator of the Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, living in Vukavar, sent a report to the JPIC office of work done to promote JPIC in the Province. One of the activities is a programme called “actions for Justice and Peace” which encourages people to open themselves to the power of forgiveness.

 

 

Washington JPIC office for Latin America and seminar on land reform: The office is helping organize an International Seminar in Washington in April 2002 with the theme of the World Bank and the proposed Market based land reform. A lot of work has been done by Brazilian landless organizations, including many of our brothers. For further information contact Rodrigo Peret ofm at rodrigoperet@yahoo.com or David in Washington.

 

Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva: Many Franciscan men and women are participating in the human rights commission meeting in Geneva. For up to date information consult the FI web page, www.franciscansinternational.org The Provincials of the Central European Conference will hold their meeting in Geneva at the end of April 2002. They are interested in knowing more about FI.

 

FI searches for a new Executive Director: The appointment is for a three-year term. Letter of application and curriculum vitae must be received by June 1, 2002. For additional information or to submit an application Fax, e-mail or write to: David Couturier, OFM.Cap, President, Board of Directors-FI 10 East Steuben Court Beacon, NY 12508 USA FAX: 001-845-831-4218 davecout@aol.com or David Moczulski OFMWashington@worldnet.att.net

 

JPIC Seminar in Ireland, September 2003: The Irish OFM Cap JPIC commission are organizing a four weeks seminar for ongoing formation in JPIC: Week 1, Care for Creation ( Sean Mc Donagh), Week 2, JPIC in Franciscan history ( Maurice Carmody ofm), Week 3, Immigration (Sr. Joan Roddy) and Week 4 has a variety of guests and topics. For further information contact ardmhuire@irishcapuchins.com or Tel: 353.74.38005

 

Condolences: we received the news that the mother of Alan Arcebuche ofm, JPIC coordinator of the Philippines province, died in tragic circumstances. We extend our condolence and prayerful support to Alan and his family.(projpic@compass.com.ph )

 

Conference meetings:

v       English Speaking Conference: April 10 - April 14, 2002 in New Mexico

v       Mexico/C.A/Caribbean: May 3-5, Tabasco, Chiapas, México

v       Bolivarian: 1-5 May, Quito, Ecuador.

 

Change of Addresses/new appointments:

v       Joseph Sok, ofm (Korea Province), new East Asia Conference Coordinator: kjpicofm@hanmail.net

v       Eugene Barrett ofm, new JPIC animator for the Custody of the Good Shepard, Zimbabwe, ebarrett@mweb.co.zw

v       Vicente Felipe ofm: VFelipe@amena.com

v       Ignacio Harding ofm: ighardingofm@cs.com

 

 

 

 

Web sites:

v       Franciscans International newsletter: http://www.franciscansinternational.org/newsletter/

v       Nonviolence Peace Force: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org

v       SojoMail: ( interesting articles on justice issues in the English language) http://www.sojo.net/sojomail/index.cfm/mode/display/action/share.html

v       Virus Hoaxes: To check if viruses are Hoaxes or the Real thing check out:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

v       Vatican II documents on ecumenism/ other Catholic documents:

http://www.silk.net/RelEd/ecumenism.htm

v       Countries have/have not ratified Kyoto at: http://www.unfccc.int

v       Dangers of oil: http://www.markfiore.com/animation/adterror.html

v       Ecology talk by Fr. Sean McDonagh from  the Columban web page. http://www.columban.org

 

v       Attilio Gallimberti SFO: attiliog@gleason.it

v       Celine Montiero FMM: ifctorsg@tin.it

v       Claudio Bedriñán OFM CAP: jpe@ofmcap.org

v       Fernando Scocca TOR: justpaxtor@tiscalinet.it

v       Vasco Cróccoli OFM Conv ( President) jpsc@ofmconv.org

v       Francisco O Conaire ofm: pax@ofm.org

 

 

 

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