Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum EN

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updated 11:54 AM UTC, Mar 20, 2024

«Mission – a new challenge»

From 30th april to 04th may 2018, the responsibles of mission-work of several CENOC provinces had their annual meeting at Rome.

The meeting itself provided exchanges of worldwide mission experiences and enabled reflexions of the common goals. Looking for new cooperations and other important issues, discussions about projects and new challenges tooked place as well.

The meeting’s sense was an exercise in ongoing formation, involving input in form of

  • theological reflections on the mission of the church and the specific contribution of the Capuchin charism;
  • sharing information and experiences from the various circumscriptions through their reports;
  • reflection on the contemporary situation overseas and in Europe, concerning "the signs of the times", and recognizing current challenges.

In this connection we note the changes that have taken place over the last several decades. Formerly the mission ad gentes involved "gentes" overseas; now the "gentes" are on our own shores, among us.

The meeting itself was important in fostering fraternity, cultivating an awareness of our shared life and an appreciation of diverse gifts, and provide mutual inspiration and encouragement. By the mans of animating the participants and by sharing ideas and materials, providing mutual enrichment and to animate the wider body of friars in their several jurisdictions. As a result of that interchange, it was said, that the friaries should open their mind and doors to get in touch with people that are living at the same place.

Br. Othmar Noggler referred to historical facts that mission was originally a political task, combined with colonization. Only later, the religiously motivated mission followed, whereby the name “mission” was renamed as a consequence of its negative connotation into the term “evangelization”. The Capuchins should be supposed to be bridge builders, able to interprete sensitively the marks of time, building and living international fraternities that are open minded to the challenges that they are faced to.

Mr. Bart Paepen (Episcopal Vicar, Antwerp), gave a presentation “what is the mission of a christian in this changing world?” He spoked about imagination at work which means living and act as a christian in an authentic and convincing way. We have to build the houses where we live and start community building. Just like that can be your example for the others and that pilgrimage for God will become possible. We should invest in the world as it is. In other words, working in schools of the Christian imagination. To share life together in Franciscan spirituality and being authentically could be one thing that opens the eyes and hearts of ourselves and of the “unknown other”.

Br. Hugo Mejia spoke about the importance of missions in the past, in the present and in the future. We need to think about what mission means today, starting from the history and looking to the future. We must make future plans and not be afraid of changes. He talked also about that lay people be encouraged to go as volunteers for one to three months in one of our eligible provinces in Asia, Africa or Latin America. There are already positive feedbacks from Brothers who are grateful for this help and that are also willing to have more volunteers in the future.

Finally the general minister, Br. Mauro Jöhri and the general councilor Br. Pio Murat were invited to speak about the tasks and challenges regarding mission work and its related issues. They underlined the need to be connected and to build networks between the mission secretariates, animating and encouraging the brothers in finding solutions regarding common goals, financial and personal support in accordance with the order.

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Last modified on Thursday, 10 May 2018 10:04