C I O F S LIST

Letter of the Conference of the Franciscan Family (CFF)

A new spirit

A challenge

An invitation

Part - 2

A NEW SPIRIT

The "spirit of Assisi" is the way Pope John Paul characterized the spirit that prevailed at the October 27, 1986 meeting. Like the Spirit of God from which it derives, this spirit cannot be contained by any frontier (John 3:8). However, we can recognize its principal traits. They are the same as those which inspired the experience of Francis;

- an ecumenical attitude which invites "all people, nations, races, and tongues, all the nations and men and women from every part of the earth", to recognize that "all the gifts are of the most high omnipotent Lord God."

- a passionate search for peace, a trait found not only in the formula of the of the greeting revealed to him by the Lord, but also the constant commitment of Francis: on his bed of sickness he reconciled the Podestà and the Bishop of Assisi;

- a constant practice of prayer, not only the use of prayer of petition and of thanksgiving for the true peace which comes from God but above all the prayer of contemplation in order to know how to discern the presence and action of the creative word of God and of his Spirit in every initiative of peace, of reconciliation and of brotherhood on the part of anyone.

A CHALLENGE

For several years the representatives of different religions met to explore the means that would permit the various religions to bring about a world that is more fraternal and more peaceful by sharing their particular vision and experience. The Council document Nostra Aetate provides the Catholic Church with the first official formulation of the basis for such a collaboration. The day of prayer of Assisi was a special time for this new theological sensitivity, a "sign of the times" that attracts us and gives us a road to travel in the "spirit of Assisi."

All this engages our vision and our practice of inter-religious dialogue. It invites us to a greater respect of the primary role of the Spirit who puts into the heart of every person of good will the leaven of the Reign of God of which, we christians, are simply witnesses and servants. It urges us to deepen the theology of peace, that includes all of creation and restores to prayer an indispensable role.

AN INVITATION

The relationships which we have with the members of the other great religions differ according to the regions of the world. In some countries, the religions have lived together for centuries; in other places the encounter is more recent, often due to immigration. Every situation offers its own challenges, promises, difficulties and successes. But, as Pope John Paul II reminded the participants of the meeting of Assisi, we do not have any other choice on the practical level except to commit ourselves to carry on a dialogue, "either we learn to walk together in peace and harmony, or we distance ourselves from this situation and we ruin ourselves and others."

We invite you, brothers and sisters, not to allow the tenth anniversary of this historic encounter to go by in silence. We thank the Lord of Peace that he has allowed the great world religions to encounter each other around the tomb of the humble Francis and we ask the Father of mercies to lead them on a fraternal journey along the paths of peace.

Let us celebrate the event in various ways. The Holy See will provide us with the initiatives for the occasion. Let us also cooperate with the efforts of sister churches and the other religions in the spirit of Ut unumsint. There can be elaborate celebrations as well as ecumenical prayer. Spiritual and theological encounters with the members of other religions are recommended as well as very simple gatherings like an invitation to dinner, a visit to the places of worship of another religion, etc. The initiatives, already taken here and there inside the Franciscan family, demonstrate that the encounter of Assisi can find expression even on the level of local friaries.

May this anniversary be for all of us an occasion to deepen the "spirit of Assisi" in our way of living the mission of being "builders of peace" in imitation of the example of Francis of Assisi.

Wishing you, one and all, a very sincere Pax et Bonum.

Fraternally,

Hermann Schalück OFM
Agostino Gardin OFMConv
John Corriveau OFMCap
Bonaventura Midili TOR
Helena Echeveria
Emanuela De Nunzio OFS