Ecumenical / Interfaith Committee

Mini-Conference Registration Open

The Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity is holding a series of online mini-conferences to invite ecumenically-minded Franciscans to talk and reflect on “Elements of Franciscan Unity.”  These mini-conferences will center on one of the five elements around which the Joint Committee organizes its work.

Our next mini-conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, from 4-6 p.m. EST (3pm-5pm CST / 2pm-4pm MST / 1-3pm PST).  We will discuss the Franciscan charism as one of the constitutive elements of Franciscan identity and unity.

It will include a joint presentation by representatives of each of the Joint Committee’s constituent Orders – Marie Bianca (Order of Secular Franciscans), Beverly Hosea (Third Order Society of St. Francis), Andrew Chavanak (Order of Lutheran Franciscans), and Ron Nuss-Warren (Order of Ecumenical Franciscans) – as well as time for small group discussion and prayer.

To facilitate small-group discussion, register by April 15 at the following link: https://lu.ma/j5uhdeqi. There is no cost for the retreat, and you do not need to be formally affiliated with a member Order to register.

Mission Statement

The Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee seeks to bring an authentic ecumenical and interfaith spirit and understanding to the ongoing renewal of the Secular Franciscan Order.  In the Spirit of our Lord and our beloved St. Francis, we seek to foster the ministry of reconciliation in every part of our fraternal life, and, thereby, witness to the world our unique Franciscan charism and our prophetic witness to the unity of all creation.

The Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee’s focus is to encourage and empower fraternal relationships through reflective, responsible, and respectful dialogue with our ecumenical and interfaith sisters and brothers.  Our Rule and Constitutions and the documents of the Church provide us guidance in this endeavor.

Our task is thus to be an instrument of unity and understanding for the Franciscan family. Therefore, we challenge each other to bring a Franciscan focus to the ministry of unity through our intentional and continual building of ecumenical and interfaith relationships.

From Our Rule of Life

As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. (Article 13)

Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself”, let them exercise their responsibilities competently in Christian spirit of service. (Article 14)

Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. (Article 19)