photo of Carolyn Townes

Carolyn Townes, OFS

The Secular Franciscan Order USA presented the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Award to Carolyn Townes, OFS, at its annual Chapter gathering held at the Bon Secours Retreat Center September 9-13.

Her acceptance speech, delivered on September 11, inspired the audience of 70 regional ministers, National Executive Council members, commission and committee chairs, and observers.  She spoke of the world’s pain and suffering, and the need to listen to one another’s stories and take heart in the proximity of God’s love.

“We try so hard to steer clear of anything that smacks of pain and suffering, although we are a nation in pain with tremendous suffering. We are brokenhearted. But the Psalmist tells us that God is close to the broken-hearted,” Carolyn said.

The JPIC Award is given to members who embody Franciscan values through their actions and initiatives. Recipients actively promote fairness to others, advance the care of creation, work for reconciliation, and advocate for the human dignity of the marginalized. First established in 1950 as the Peace Award by the North American Federation of the Third Order of St. Francis, the honor continues today under the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (NAFRA).

Carolyn has dedicated decades of service to the Order at the local, regional, national, and international levels. For more than ten years, she served as the national OFS JPIC Animator.  She is also a member of the OFS Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee, where she educates on mindful communications and racial justice, with a focus on unconscious bias, empathic listening, and conflict management.

Carolyn extends her leadership throughout the broader Franciscan community. She has served on the board of the Franciscan Action Network and currently sits on the boards of Franciscans International, Pax Christi International Fund for Peace, and the Franciscan Federation. She collaborates closely with the Franciscan Action Network, the Catholic Mobilizing Network, and serves on the Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity.