The SFO General Chapter expresses its solidarity to its brothers in the Congo and asks them to be instruments of peace and mercy
The SFO General Chapter gathered since yesterday in Hungary, expressed today in its first plenary session, its solidarity with the brothers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, because of the conflict and genocide that the African country is suffering, specifically, in the northern region of Kivu, which the international community is watching passively.
“Besides solidarity, we must share our love and prayers with our brothers and sisters who live in the Congo,” said Encarnación del Pozo, SFO General Minister, “so that they may be, not only agents of peace and reconciliation, but also the sign of God’s Mercy for those who are close to them.” Related to that, she reminded us how in other recent conflicts Franciscans have been characterized with hospitality for the people suffering violence.
The Chapter also approved a message to be transmitted by mail to the Franciscan brothers and sisters of the Congo, in which its reminds us how article 19 of the SFO Rule exhorts us: “as bearers of peace and being aware that peace must be built up unceasingly,” to seek “the way of unity and fraternal intelligence” through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the holy seed that lives in mankind and in the transforming power of love and forgiveness.”
“The war”, the message says “no matter the reasons, always produces more victims among the innocents than among the people who fight”, and its results, “especially among children and families are irreversible”.
Because of this, “the Franciscan Family of the Congo, must, before anything else, take part in actions of peace and reconciliation, and, as children of Francis, they must be “worthy witnesses of the Gospel.” But, the message goes further in motivating Franciscans, religious and seculars, to bury the spirit of hate and revenge among the brothers and sisters of the same community, for an everlasting peace”.
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