C I O F S LIST

The Beatitudes - A Personal Project - Pedro Nuno Coelho

First Continental Encounter of Africa

National elective Chapters

The personal project proposed by Jesus Christ is found in those who live the values of the beatitudes which proclaim the Good News of salvation and describe the inner attitudes necessary for embracing that salvation.

The beatitudes are not moral rules but rather an announcement of the Good News to concrete people. The beatitudes declare that the poor, the afflicted and those who hunger and thirst and are persecuted are happy....not because of their present situation, nor for their sanctity but because of God s justice which, from this moment on, protects them. This justice, which is part of God s Kingdom, proclaimed and practised by Jesus, prefers (now) those who are not able to defend themselves, the weak and simple people.

The beatitudes announce a message of happiness to those who are ready to accept the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus Christ but at the same time who are invited to transform their way of thinking and acting. They are an announcement of happiness because they assert freedom and not conformity or alienation. They demonstrate the presence of the Kingdom through the word and action of Jesus. They make present God s own justice in the world for those who are useless or disturbing in a society based on riches who take profit and power which oppresses. This means assuming inner attitudes connected with entering the Kingdom of God.

There is no doubt that the beatitudes are together challenges for living which elevate human beings to full happiness. Happy are those who, loving God and their brothers, live the experience of communion, unity and fraternity.

Happiness......!

And what sort of happiness is it? for when? in this life or the next? A beatitude is a kind of formula for congratulations. It isn t a desire, nor a promise; happiness is known and proclaimed; the receiver is happy to be congratulated. The beatitudes speak of people who are now happy or, as in the case of the last beatitude, they shall be happy when they shall suffer under persecution.

The beatitudes interrogate us today: are we conscious of our happiness? And, if not, we should ask ourselves: why?

Jesus wants us to be happy and therefore presents us this series of inner dispositions which help us to be people who are fulfilled, accepting His project of salvation.

First Continental Encounter of Africa

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Francis,

Peace and all good - Amani na Wema!

We, your brothers and sisters from 6 countries in Africa, have celebrated our first African Continental Chapter in Nairobi, Kenya, from August 3-10, 1998.

We came from Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia. It was a pity seven other countries could not participate. Fr. Ben, General Assistant OFMCap, and Bro. Tom Purcell, as Delegate of our General Minister, helped us in our reflections.

Our resource persons were the Archbishop of Nairobi, priests, brothers and sisters working in Kenya, as well as the members of the participating delegations.

The host country also organised a visit to some interesting places.

During the Chapter we felt a friendly atmosphere of togetherness, joy and love, fostered by common prayer. Our thirst for unity was quenched. We have taken a great step towards our goal, to live the Franciscan charism in our own African context. This Chapter has shown us that it is possible to live together as Franciscans and to be a force for change in our society.

We decided to have a second Continental Chapter in the year 2001, hosted by the SFO in Zambia.

Your brothers and sisters.

National elective Chapters

Hungary: August 16-19, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Wilhelmina Visser-Pelsma (Netherlands), at the presence of General Assistant P. Nils Thompson, OFM.
Albert Wolsky has been elected National Minister.

Mexico: September 11-13, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Alicia Gallardo (Chile).
Maria Luisa Leal Garcia has been confirmed National Minister.

Ecuador: September 17-20, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Rosalvo Mota (Brasil).
Juan Benites has been confirmed National Minister.

Croatia: October 9-11, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Emerenziana Rossato (Italy), at the presence of Gen.Ass. P. Ben Brevoort OFMCap.
Renato Matic' has been elected National Minister.

Uruguay: October 10-11, 1998, presided over by the Minister General Emanuela De Nunzio, at the presence of Gen. Ass. P. Valentin Redondo, OFMConv.
Daniel Castro has been elected National Minister.

Pologne: October 23-25, 1998, presided over by the International Councillor Margaret Mertens (Germany).
Joanna Bertowska has been elected National Minister.

French speaking Belgium: October 24, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Wilhelmina Visser-Pelsma (Netherlands).
Liliane Cornet has been confirmed Minister.

Flandres: October 25, 1998, presided over by the Councillor of Presidency Wilhelmina Visser-Pelsma (Netherlands).
Slangen has been elected National Minister.

Paraguay: October 28, 1998, presided over by the Minister General Emanuela De Nunzio, at the presence of Gen.Ass. P. Valentin Redondo, OFMConv.
Ignacio Mercado has been elected National Minister.

Slovakia: November 20-22, 1998, presided over by the International Councillor Tibor Kauser (Hungary).
Juraj Mrocek has been elected National Minister.

Perù: January 14-17, 1999, presided over by the Councillor of the Presidency Rosalvo Mota (Brasil) at the presence of the Provincial P. Gregório Pérez de Guereñu, OFM.
Betty Herrera Baldeán has been elected National Minister.