II Meeting of European OFM-JPIC
II Encuentro de Europeo OFM-JPIC
18-23 Oct 2004, Santiago de Compostela

The morning began with a talk by the Minister General, Br. José Rodríguez Carballo. The General reflected on the necessity of living our JPIC dimension in the day to day events of our lives. In a humanity crucified we cannot stand apart but instead must interrelate the different levels which affect violence: ("direct, structural and cultural") as they impact directly the mode of relations within society. Our Franciscan life cannot be unbound from that which happens in society.

The Franciscan charism has a great contribution to create a real culture of Peace in the world. Our ministry, as part of this historic work, has to project en all dimensions of our life: in the promotion of an Education for Peace in our schools and universities; in the creation of a Center for the reflection and development of a Culture of Peace; sensitize public opinion of the urgency of Peace; in our homilies always include a perspective of Peace in the reflection on the Word of God; help and sustain pacifist attitudes which promote different organizations of similar disposition.

On another point, the General insisted that the who animate for JPIC have to have as a permanent part of their work: good relations with the local and provincial fraternities; a passion for God and for humanity and its conflicts; make a critical analysis of the social reality based on substantive information; elaborate a project of action with objectives and strategies well delimited; promote materials of reflection and action before situations of injustice and violence; to colaborate intensely with the services for formation, studies and evangelization; to inform the ministers provincials and their councils of the schedule of activities and their type of participation; animate the friars of the province on how they can participate en a program of action of JPIC; colaborate with all levels of the Order, the Franciscan Family, other religious institutes and the local Church.

After his presentation, different friars made comments and asked questions about the presentation, which was a good sharing of initiatives of the service of JPIC in the Order.

Later, the friars met within their conferences to try to elaborate or strengthen their program of work.

In the afternoon we made a visit to Monte de Gozo (Mount of Joy), a place from which the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago can be seen and which marked the end of the trip for the pilgrims, the long trip of Santiago. From there we went by foot to the center of the city, as well as a guided tour of the Cathedral of the Apostle.

In the evening, we celebrated the Eucharist in the Cathedral with the Minister General presiding.