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| Second day: October 19th
In the second day of the meeting, the friars met in language groups to analyze the situation of Europe at great depth. Most of the groups insisted on defining Europe as a continent that needs to open its doors to those who are different, to diversity, in a Franciscan vision. The world is changing at an increasing rate. This causes some to become defensive because they fear losing their identity and falling into a state of excessive relativism. It is urgent that, in the Franciscan vision, that we insist on the necessity of dialog with the new definition of Europe and support those groups which are already working in defense of human rights -- as does FI-Europe. In the afternoon Br. Rodrigo Péret, director of the JPIC Office in Rome, gave a talk entitled "Minority in the Times of Globalization." He emphasized the negative results of Globalization according to the principles of the free market, which can lead to excessive pragmatism in daily life and the diminished value of the human person; the denial of millions of people from the minimal necessities of life, which is not dealt with seriously by government and business leaders. It is for this reason that we, as minor brothers, have the great task of renewing the hug that Francis gave to the leper, in the sense of embracing the victims of the present economic system and the victims of any type of violence. Later the friars of the Spanish Conference sponsored an evening of fraternal sharing. |
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