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SOUTH ASIAN FRANCISCANS COMMITTED TO INTERRELIGIOUS HARMONY, CARE OF CREATION AND FOR THE MARGINALISED

(18-24, Aug. 2019 Camillian Centre, Bangkok, Thailand)

Around 60 Major Superiors from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India Assembled under the umbrella of South Asian Franciscan Initiatives (SAFI) in Bangkok, Thailand from 18 – 24 August, 2019 to effectively respond to the challenges of this Region. Rooted in Franciscan Spirituality, the participants vowed to revive their life and mission with renewed vigour. The South Asian countries face similar challenges with regard to Social Injustices, extreme poverty, Degradation of women, abuse of child rights, domestic and international job migrations, climate refugees, growing extremism and fundamentalism, the challenges of Christianity as a negligible minority, oppression of indigenous peoples, neglect of rural people and slum dwellers etc. The Franciscans have special commitment towards these poorest of the poor both individually and collectively. Since this year marks the 800th anniversary of the meeting between Francis of Assisi and the Sultan Malik Al Kamil.

Right Rev. Joseph Pradhan Sridarunsil SDB, Bishop of Surat Thani diocese in Thailand in his special message on 19th highlighted the demands on Franciscans to involve more deeply into the daily struggles of people through Option for the poor, for Peace and for Creation. The Religious leaders from Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Christianity highlighted on the joint commitment towards Interreligious dialogue, Peace and Harmony. During the country reports, the delegates from all the south Asian Countries presented their life and mission for people and to the poorest in particular.

On the Following mornings, various dimensions of Franciscan Spirituality in relation to the burning concerns of society were introduced in depth such as St. Francis and Franciscans in the secular world, Franciscans as peace makers, their commitment to Justice, Gender equality, entitlements of the deprived and the neglected, their role amidst the growing fundamentalism and extremism, Option for the poor, their role towards integrity of creation etc. The resource persons Sister Stella, Brothers Divakar, Dolphy, Nithya covered 25 lessons in reference to South Asian context. The members also had exposure to the Socio-Religious sites and history and culture of people.

As a result of the week long intensive inputs, group discussions, the provincials and Generals have come up with the following 10 points programmes to revive Franciscan life and mission in South Asia:

1. In all our initial and ongoing formation, we shall focus on inculcating Franciscan core values as part of our personal and communitarian life and mission.

2. For our monthly recollections and annual retreats, we shall focus on “Franciscan life and mission and the revival of our Franciscan vision”

3. Keeping mind our origins among the lepers at Portiuncula, in all our socio pastoral ministries, we shall give priority to the marginalised and thus execute the Rights of the poor.

4. At the Local, Regional and National level, as Franciscan family, we shall have periodical gatherings, seminars and action plans on current issues.

5. We shall enhance various Interfranciscan programmes (Like that of AFFI) for Formators, JPIC coordinators, Educators etc. through full cooperation and involvement.

6. In our Social, medical and Educational Institutions, we shall collaborate with other Franciscan groups and give special emphasis on dialogue, Peace and harmony.

7. From this year (2019) of 800th anniversary of the meeting of St. Francis with the sultan and 150th Anniversary of the birth of Gandhi, we shall have interreligious celebrations for all Religious Festivals like Deepavali, Ramzan, Buddha Poornima, Christmas etc.

8. Keeping in mind our commitment to the Poor, in all our institutions, we shall give special preference to the education of the poor especially the from rural and city slum areas.

9. In all our Franciscan personal and institutional levels we shall be faithful to Franciscan Poverty, Justice, Peace and Care of Creation through the principles of Reject, Renounce, restrict, reuse, recycle etc.

10. Understanding the vulnerable status of women in South Asia, we shall campaign among students, staff, and SHGs through workshops to stop violence against women.

- Report by Nithiya OFM.Cap (nithiyas@gmail.com)

- National Coordaintor AFFI

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