SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 1 - N. 1 - 1995 - April - I
From: Koinonia, 1995, N. 1
Fr Kevin Schindler-McGraw OFM Conv., represented the Conference of General Assistants at the National Elective Chapter of Denmark, held at the Catholic Conference Center in Oem, 26-28 August. The elective sessions were presided by Kari-Mette Eidem (Norway; International Councillor for the Scandinavian Countries) as delegate of the International President SFO. The elections were preceded by two brief lectures on the theme "Lay Spirituality" and by reports presented by both the national leadership and the seven local fraternities. Three of the four National Executive Council members elected are new to their positions, including Martin Soerensen, the newly elected National Minister. Heartfelt thanks were expressed to Marianne Powell, outgoing National Minister, and to those who had shared the leadership since the "rebirth" of the SFO in Denmark in the early 1980's.
During the weekend of August 27-28, 1994, at Multyfarnham, the National Fraternity held its elective Chapter, presided over by Robert Cassidy, with the presence of Ben Brevoort OFM Cap. The Chapter discussed and approved the National Statutes to be sent to the Presidency of the International Council for confirmation. The Formation Commission presented a workbook on the Rule and Constitutions. A video-tape on Franciscan Youth, produced by the Irish YOUFRA, was shown.
The SFO of Great Britain celebrated its National Elective Chapter the weekend of 16-18 September. By way of exception, Robert Cassidy, International Councillor and outgoing National President, had been delegated to preside the elective sessions of the Chapter. Fr Kevin represented the Conference of General Assistants. Following the reports of the various national leaders for the preceding three-year period, the Chapter delegates approved a motion regarding their National Statutes project and then entered into an in-depth and fruitful discussion of needs, goals and priorities for the coming three years as well as the specific qualities desirable for the offices to be filled. The elections resulted in a healthy renewal of the National Executive Council. Merle O'Driscoll, newly elected National President, had served until that time as chair of National Formation. The deep gratitude of all for the dedication of the entire outgoing Council was very evident.
From 29 September till 16 October, Carl Schafer OFM visited the SFO in Tanzania, accompanied by Valerio Berloffa OFM, National Assistant. In Msimbazi, they discussed the SFO with Isidore Peterhans OFM Cap., Minister Provincial, and Arthur Hauser OFM Cap., Regional Assistant, and met the Fraternities of Dar Es Salaam. In Mwanza, they stayed with the Poor Clares, had a day with the SFO Fraternity and spoke to the OFM postulants at Butimba. Fr Godfrey Biseko, secular priest in Musoma, has initiated a local Fraternity who help him to conduct homes for lepers and abandoned persons. The visitors had a day with the Secular Franciscans in Katoke, Kemondo, Itahwa and Kasherero. In Katoke, Sr Marguerite Wolf OSF is the spiritual Animator of eight Fraternities. In Kasherero, they stayed with Cornelius Smith OFM, Regional Assistant of Bukoba. October 20-24, the visitors attended the meeting of the National Executive, the elective Chapter and the meeting of the new Executive, in the Capuchin Spiritual Centre, Mbagala. Ndugu Mosha was elected National Minister. In Tanzania, there are 4,500 Secular Franciscans in 18 Regional Fraternities.
October 16-19, Frs Carl and Valerio visited the SFO in Uganda, where there are six local Fraternities in formation. They spent a day with the leaders of the local SFO Fraternity of Kashekuro. Claudio Behangana, local Minister, received the profession of seven members, witnessed by Richard Duffy OFM, local Assistant. The visitors spoke about the SFO to the Poor Clares at Mbarara and to the OFM novices at Kakoba. They met the Fraternities of Kampala at the Little Sisters of St Francis, Nsambya. National Assistant Silvano De Souza OFM Cap., was present.
Frs Carl and Valerio stayed in Nairobi on 19 October with Giacomo Bini OFM, Minister Provincial of the Vice-Province of St Francis. October 24-26, the visitors were accompanied by Joe Erhardt OFM, local Assistant, to Nakuru, where they had a day with 70 Secular Franciscans representing 12 local Fraternities. They called on Bishop Raphael Indingi Mwanan'zeki, Secular Franciscan, and went on to visit the OFM aspirants in Kaptembwa.
In Malawi, about 500 members in 26 local Fraternities-in-formation are organized into three Regional Fraternities. October 26-30, Fr Carl stayed in Dowa with Roy Corrigan OFM, who filled in for Andr‚ Comtois OFM, National Assistant SFO, who was on sick-leave. Fr Carl spoke to Mother Clara, Poor Clare in Lilongwe, who initiated interest in the SFO in Mzuzu diocese in 1983. Frs Carl and Roy, in Mzuzu, met Jacinta Nyirenda, pioneer Secular Franciscan, and Fr H. Langlade, White Father and Northern Regional Assistant SFO. They spent a day with 22 SFO leaders from the Central and Southern Regional Fraternities. Local Assistant Davis Eluvatingal OFM Cap. attended. Fr Carl met the Dowa local Fraternity.
October 18-23, amidst the gorgeous colours of the fall foliage, the National Fraternity held its elective Chapter at Andover, near Boston. Emanuela De Nunzio presided the elections and Fr Ben was present. In their report, the fraternal and pastoral visitors stressed the very positive impression the Chapter had made. It was very efficient, well-prepared and excellently conducted. Ample space was given to reflection on the topic, "Discovering our Myth, Refounding the Order." A full afternoon was set apart for a boat-trip on the Merimac River, concluded by a festive dinner offered by the Fraternity of the region. The SFO in the USA counts almost 20,000 members, assisted by the OFM, OFM Conv., OFM Cap. and TOR.
Conference of General Assistants
8 July 1994: The four Assistants met at the International Secretariat, Garbatella. They completed arrangements for the Seminar in Krakow and planned the themes for Koinonia 1995. They suggeted some criteria for the age-range of Franciscan Youth and Children and discussed the revision of the Statutes for Assistance in view of the end of the experimental period.
13 October 1994: Three Assistants met in the absence of Fr Carl at the General Curia TOR. They prepared the program of the long meeting in Assisi. Fr. Kevin presented his reports on national elective Chapters in Denmark and Great Britain. Fr Carl's reports on Poland and Brazil were also presented, as well as reports on El Salvador and South Africa, sent by delegated National Assistants Jos‚ V¡ctor Aguilar OFM and Phillip Timmins OFM.
6-10 November 1994: The four Assistants met in the International Franciscan Center for Dialogue, Assisi, for their annual long meeting. In addition to the business of the normal monthly meeting, they prepared for the meeting of the Presidency, evaluated Koinonia, began the compilation of a Manual for local Assistants and indicated some areas to be considered in the revision of the General Constitutions SFO. They also reflected on the priestly aspect of Assistance. The experience of fraternity was completed by an outing to Castelluccio in the Marches.
Presidency of International Council SFO
24-30 November: Alicia Gallardo, Spanish-language representative, attended for the first time when the Presidency met at "Casa Leonori", Rome. Jos‚ Angulo TOR, representing the Union of Ministers General, carried out the pastoral visitation of the Presidency over two days. The meeting blended liturgical prayer and fraternal meals with work sessions. Among the nineteen items on the agenda were: reports from the coordinators of the commissions of the International Council; approval of a document regarding electoral procedures; planning a manual for the councillors of the local Fraternity, including the Assistant; examination of the replies received to the census of national Fraternities; preparations for the General Elective Chapter to be held in Rome in 1996. After completing the agenda, they enjoyed a visit to Tre Fontane and St Paul's Outside the Walls.