ROME - Vicar General of the Order Michael Perry, OFM, (Sacred Heart) left the General Chapter today to travel to Rome along with Br. Vicente Felipe Tapia, OFM, General Definitor and by Br. Roberto Ferrari, OFM, Provincial Minister of Lombardy to deliver a message from the Chapter to the Treasury Ministers of the G8 countried meeting today and tomorrow in Lecce.
The Order of Friars Minor is present in the five continents in 113 Countries and with its 15,000 members has always been close to those who suffer because of conflicts, exploitation of many kinds and inequalities provoked within societies by diverse economic systems.
The text, discussed and approved by the Chapter proposes concrete proposals to support the common good of all people and to promote economic justice and productive options which respect creation.
The Franciscans, as is affirmed in the letter, understand the problems and the social environmental uneasiness as they live in strict contact with the peoples from all over the world and "share directly and concretely their lives". Thus they can witness "the lack of sufficient recognition of certain inalienable rights of the human person on an economic, social, cultural, civil and political level among which are the right to life in all its phases, to freedom in its many forms, to work and to study, the rights of women and of children, without neglecting the crucial current problems of unemployment and the lack of support for families in difficulty".
In the spirituality of St. Francis and his Friars mankind and creation are the imprint of God Creator and Father and reflect His love and His providence. Therefore, at the centre of the proposals sent to the G8 Ministers, there is a profound attention to these two realities around which the political, economic and environmental options must revolve.
On behalf of the Chapter gathered in Assisi, the Vicar General presented this letter to the President of the Italian Government in Rome.
Below is the text of the letter:
To the Treasury Ministers of the G8
We Franciscans, Friars Minor (Government of the Order, Ministers and Custodes), gathered here in Assisi for our 187th General Chapter in this year of 2009, 8th Centenary of the foundation of our Order, and coming from 110 countries of the world, representing 15,000 friars who share directly and concretely the lives of our peoples, would like to send to you Treasury Ministers of the G8, the Franciscan greeting of "Peace and all good!" and a fraternal, heartfelt message.
We witness in our society the lack of sufficient recognition of certain inalienable rights of the human person on an economic, social, cultural, civil and political level among which are the right to life in all its phases, to freedom in its many forms, to work and to study, the rights of women and of children, without neglecting the crucial current problems of unemployment and the lack of support for families in difficulty.
We note with growing unease how globalisation, governed solely by the law of the market, carries with it as consequences: the attribution of an absolute value to the economy, unemployment, downsizing and deterioration of public services, destruction of the environment and of nature, indiscriminate production and sale of arms, increase of the differences between rich and poor, unjust competition, which puts poor nations in an ever clearer situation of inferiority, constraining millions of people to a desperate emigration from their own lands.
To overcome the economic crisis, we believe in the commitment to transform our current lifestyle through a more responsible sobriety, sharing as an alternative to competition, respect for the environment and active non-violence.
In the light of the above we propose that the governments:
* plan for an economy that represents a change of paradigm, namely, . passing from a free- market model of the economy to a model of sustainability, which gives priority to social and environmental dimensions over those that are purely economic, and which guarantees the fundamental needs of all with the contribution of all;
* favour production policies that avoid the use of methods of production that pollute;
* pursue energy policies based on renewable energy that respects ecosystems;
* maintain the commitment already solemnly entered into to allocate 0.7% of GDP to reaching the Millennium Development Goals.
Following the teaching of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology, known throughout the world as a witness of peace and fraternity, we urge you to put the human person in all his or her facets at the centre of policy, asking that the following be promoted further:
* respect for the dignity and equality of human persons with the consequent commitment of building the common good and the universal destination of goods;
* a renewed effort towards sustainable development, which guarantees meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the possibilities and satisfaction of needs in the future;
* economic growth linked to safeguarding the environment and the distribution of benefits among all countries.
For this we ask you carefully to work to satisfy in the best way possible the expectations and needs of people today.
As Friars Minor we assure you of all our support for this journey and we salute you with the words of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of our Order: "May the Lord give you peace!"
Chapter delegates back at Domus Pacis spent the day in closed session to discuss financial matters of the Order following a presentation by the Economo General Giancarlo Lati, OFM.
This DAILY NEWS BRIEF is produced by and for the friars of the English Speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor. Executive Secretary: Thomas Washburn, OFM.