Presentation - Assisi 1998

Dear Brothers,

We are pleased to present you with the conclusions agreed upon and drafted by the VI Plenary Council of the Order, held in Assisi from 7 September to 1 October, 1998, on the topic of Living Poverty in Brotherhood.

Two and a half years ago we announced to the Order our intention of holding a Plenary Council dealing with gospel poverty in its communal and institutional aspects. Throughout this time the Order, as a Fraternity, was involved in preparing for this important event, the venue for which was, significantly, Assisi. There, 31 Delegates of the Conferences, representing all five continents, met with the General Minister and his Definitory.

In publishing the results of the work at this time, we are sure you will find them a valuable resource. Together with the brotherhood experienced during the Plenary Council, they are an expression of the lively unity that exists between the fraternity of the Order as a whole and its central government. As the Constitutions suggest (cf. 123,1), they will serve to promote awareness of the mutual responsibility and cooperation of all the Brothers, and will foster the unity and communion of the Order in pluriformity. At the same time, we confirm these reflections of the Plenary Council, so that they lose none of their value as a guideline for the whole Order (cf. Const. 123,6).

On our part we have decided to study the text during the General Definitory meeting of January next. This will enable us to see which points can be put into effect immediately and which might need to be dealt with at the General Chapter. In any event, we intend to accept all that this Plenary Council has submitted to us in its reflections, and everything that can foster the process of renewal in the Order.

We would like to say a word about the choice of method that guided the Assembly in its work. As you can see from the text, the Plenary Council decided to adopt the method of propositiones or proposals, instead of drafting a document as previous Plenary Councils had done. The purpose of propositiones is not an in-depth development of a topic from a doctrinal point of view. Doctrinal elements are present, but their purpose is functional in view of a proposal, and this is above all intended for action. By using the method of propositiones, the participants were able to engage in an intense sharing and exchange of views. Further, it enabled them to recognize, value and welcome our rich cultural diversity. Not least, it guided our way towards a surprisingly broad consensus regarding the Brothers’ varied and at times differing points of view.

Following the wishes of the Plenary Council, a small redactional committee revised the style and literary form of the text of the propositiones, keeping always to what the brethren had suggested. Following the majority opinion at the Plenary Council, we also considered it appropriate to insert titles. While these are not part of the substance of the text, they are an aid to understanding it.

Finally, since Major Superiors and Guardians have primary responsibility for the formation of the Brothers (cf. Const. 23, 6), we earnestly recommend that they make known and study these principles proposed by the Plenary Council for living our gospel poverty in brotherhood. At the same time, as far as they can and have the authority to do so, we ask them to ensure that they are applied in practice.

Brothers, may the Lord’s Spirit inspire us all with a renewed love for our Lady holy Poverty, and by His holy operation help us to preserve it.

The General Minister and Definitory
Br. John Corriveau
Br. Ermanno Ponzalli
Br. Aurelio Laita
Br. Andrew Anil Sequeira
Br. Tadeusz Bergiel
Br. Paul Hinder
Br. William Wiethorn
Br. Andrés Stanovnik
Br. Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi

Rome, 4 October 1998
Solemnity of St. Francis