SFO International Council - Weekly edition
Volume: 11 - N. 09 - 2005 - March - I
From: CIOFS Bulletin, 2005, N. 7
By the Editor
The idea to acquire a centre for the International Council of the SFO (CIOFS), where the Secretariat could be adequately housed, and to assure a better operation of the Order at the international level, was already discussed at the General Chapter in July 1996 (motion 6, introduced by the Presidency and unanimously voted and approved by members). The invitation to raise funds toward this end was however accepted only by very few, and, in six years, the sums received remained meagre and totally insufficient for an engagement of such magnitude. Perhaps lacking was an active work of sensitization and a concrete plan, involving the Fraternities and each secular Franciscan to contribute financially. Therefore, in the Conclusions of the General Chapter in 2002, an appropriate paragraph was inserted, formulated in these terms: to “propose a specific day to be dedicated to the collection of funds for the purchase of a headquarters for the International Fraternity. With the help of a committee, a well defined project should be developed which will include the cost for the headquarters as well as concrete proposals to be sent to the National Fraternities so that they can help resolve the present situation”.
While the Commission, presided by the Vice Minister General, was carrying out its task, an opportunity arose which should not be missed, and the Presidency decided to catch it immediately. Here is what happened. The general Treasurer, Carl Cerù, who knows our needs and our economic situation, proposed us to purchase an apartment that his local Fraternity, of which he is Minister, had received in inheritance and which at present is vacant.
We said that this is a unique opportunity which should not be missed because the apartment is fully adequate to the needs of CIOFS in its dimensions, type, location and, above all, for the truly fraternal conditions proposed.
From its part, in order to face the responsibility it is assuming, the Presidency has to trust in:
The “Centre Project”, described in its technical aspects, has been circulated to the National Fraternities. Through the Bulletin, we want to take our turn to make a strong and pressing appeal to all Secular Franciscans: we trust in the Divine Providence, who however works through the brothers and the sisters. Let’s all be instruments of Providence, engaging ourselves with conviction in order to equip the international Fraternity with this material means, which will strengthen the unity, the autonomy, and the secularity of our Order. Those who can, give generously; those who cannot, strive with creativity in order to scrape together pennies, much or little is not important. The widow’s offering also helps to build our house!
Anglophone Africa – The Third SFO Congress of Anglophone Africa was celebrated on October 24-31, 2004. Hosted by the national fraternity of South Africa, in Capetown, it convened 31 delegates from Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia, an emerging fraternity in South Africa. Numerous delegates from other countries could not attend because of economic difficulties. The CIOFS Presidency was represented by Lucy Almirañez, Councilor of the Presidency for Asia, Oceania and Anglophone Africa, and by Fr. Samy Irudaya, representing the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants.
The participants heard and reflected on the following: Justice, Peace and Reconciliation; Poverty; Refugees; HIV-AIDS; Ecology and Creation. All the themes tried to elucidate the immediate reality in the region and stimulated Secular Franciscans to respond in context with the Rule and the General Constitutions. One day was dedicated to formation, offered by Fr. Samy and Lucy: Fr. Samy focused on the need to study and to live the Rule, and Lucy talked about life in Fraternity, stressing the importance of preparing the meetings carefully. Lucy also presented the documents sent by the CIOFS Presidency, and finally, gave a short orientation about Franciscans International.
The Kenya SFO accepted to host the next Congress. South Africa accepted the association with the Namibia Fraternity.
Paraguay – The National Election Chapter took place from August 7-8, in the home “Paz e Bem” in Caaguazú, 175 km from Asunción. The Chapter was presided by the General Vice-Minister, Rosalvo G. Mota, SFO, accompanied by Fr. Marcelo Benetez, OFM, Provincial Minister, delegate of the Conference of General Assistants, with the presence of Fr. Juan Carlos Bogado Candia, TOR, invited to sit at the Presidency table. Roberto Arévalos was elected National Minister and International Councilor, and Alcides Martinez was elected National Vice-Minister. The Chapter took place in a fraternal climate. The home “Paz e Bem” belongs to the SFO and functions as the Franciscan Center of the Franciscan Family of Paraguay. The SFO national fraternity includes 98 local fraternities and the YOUFRA, which maintain much apostolic activity. In Paraguay the religious scene is very popular. It's interesting to note that it is the only country in Latin America where another language, besides Spanish, is used as official language – Guarany. Guarany is a native language, of the indigenous population.
Uruguay – The IV National Chapter of Elections happened from September 10-12 in the home “Nazareth”, in Montevideo, with the theme: “Lord, you have called me ... What do you want me to do?” The Chapter was presided by the General SFO Vice-Minister, Rosalvo G. Mota, accompanied by Fr. Cláudio Bedriñan, OFMCap, Provincial Minister, delegate of the Conference of General Assistants. Jorge Peralta, from Argentina, was invited to the Presidency's table, representing the International Councilor Zulema de Alonso, as well as the Assistants Fr. Carlos Trovarelli OFMConv., representing the National Assistant, Fr. Luis Furgoni OFMConv., and Fr. Bernardo Peláez OFMCap. Jorge Calzavara was elected National Minister, and Diego Ferraz was elected National Vice-Minister. The Chapter took place in a fraternal climate. The National SFO Fraternity includes 10 local fraternities and no YOUFRA. The constitution of two new Fraternities will bring an internal renewal to the SFO. In Uruguay the religious environment is not very popular, due to the secularization encouraged by the Government.
Ecuador – From August 19-23, 2004 the elective National Chapter was held, presided by the Presidency Councillor Chelito Nuñez, delegated by the General Minister. Nelson Garcia Tapia was elected National Minister.
Madagascar – August 28, 2004 the SFO National elective Chapter was held. Because of the many urgent tasks of the members of the Presidency, the General Minister delegated Jean Pierre Rakotoson of the SFO of Madagascar to preside the Chapter. The Conference of General Assistants delegated fr. Serge Andrianjava OFMCap to be present in their name. E. H. Ranaivojaona was elected National Minsiter.
Thailand – More than ten years ago the first Secular Franciscans in Thailand began their formation assisted by the Order of Friars Minor, under the guidance of the CIOFS Presidency. The implantation of the SFO has recently been strengthened and confirmed through the canonical erection, by the OFM Maior Superior, of three fraternities: St. Anthony of Padua in Lamsai, St. Francis of Assisi in Chiangrai, and Mother of Peace in Ubon Rachthani. The spiritual assistance to these fraternities will be guaranteed by the Friars Minor, in collaboration with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
These canonical erections had their crowning with the fraternal and pastoral visits during September 3-5, 2004 by the Councilor of the Presidency, Lucy Almirañez, and the General Assistant Fr. Samy Irudaya.
Sweden – From 15-20 September, 2004, the SFO of Sweden has received a fraternal and pastoral visit by respectively Benedetto Lino, Presidency Councillor and Fr. Samy Irudaya, General Assistant.
Mexico – From 24-26 September 2004 in the town of Silao, in Casa de Retiro Montana Cristo Rey, the VIII National legislative, deliberative and elective Chapter took place, presided by the General Minister Encarnación del Pozo, accompanied by the General Assistants Fr Ivan Matić OFM, and Fr Martín Bitzer OFM Conv. Samuel Murguía Mercado was reelected as National Minister and International Councilor of the Mexican SFO. Alfonso Gonzáles Vásquez was elected National Vice-Minister.
Croatia – October 8-10, 2004 the SFO of Croatia has celebrated its elective National Chapter, presided by Franco Frazzarin, National Councillor of the SFO of Italy, delegated by the General Minister. He was accompanied by Fr. Ivan Matic, General Assistant.
France – October 9-10, 2004 the elective National Chapter of France was held, presided by Presidency Councillor, Benedetto Lino, delegated by the General Minister in company of General Assistant Fr. Samy Irudaya.
Lituania – The elective National Chapter of the Lituanian SFO was celebrated on October 15-16, 2004, presided by the delegate of the General Minister, Tibor Kauser, International Councillor of the SFO of Hungary, accompanied by Fr. Martín Bitzer, General Assistant.
USA – October 19-24, 2004 the General Minister, Encarnación Del Pozo and General Assistant Fr. Michael Higgins have held a combined fraternal and pastoral visit to the National Fraternity of the United States of America.
Poland – October 22-24, 2004, the National elective Chapter of the SFO of Poland was held. Presidency Councillor Willy Visser Pelsma was delegated by the General Minister to preside. The Conference of General Assistants was represented by Fr. Ivan Matic.
Slovakia – November 19-21, 2004 the elective National Chapter of the SFO of Slovakia was celebrated. The General Minister delegated the International Councillor of the SFO of Croatia, Anctica Cepulic SFO to preside over the Chapter. She was accompanied by Fr. Samy Irudaya.
Lebanon – In Beirut, November 21-22, 2004 was celebrated the elective National Chapter of the SFO of Lebanon. Presidency Councillor Willy Visser Pelsma was delegated to preside the Chapter, accompanied by General Assistant Fr. Ivan Matic.