On the morning of the fourteenth day, the General Chapter recieived a written communication from the Holy Father, who extended his greetings and gave an inspirational and inclusive message to the Capitulars and to the brothers of the Order throughout the world.
There was a continuation of the process of voting on juridical matters, in particular related to cases of misconduct. Brother Lawrence Hayes of the Chapter Proposals Commission presented draft orientations and mandates on our Franciscan Identity, Fraternal Life and Solidarity, Formation, Missions and Evangelisation, and JPIC. The discussion that followed included areas of equality, and understanding new brothers who are from very different family and cultural backgrounds. The resolutions were then voted upon.
Before lunch, Capitulars were graced with the presence of the higher leadership of the Francisca family, represented by IFC-TOR Vice-President Sister Maria Magdalena Schmitz, OFS Minister General Brother Tibor Kauser, TOR Minister General Amando Trujillo Cano, OFM Cauchin Brother Roberto Genuin, and OFM Conventual Minister General Brother Carlos Alberto Trovarelli. In particular, Brother Carlos spoke of the Franciscan preferential choice for fraternity. Brother Massimo Fusarelli affirmed, “We are a family, and we want to feel increasingly oriented in this manner towards each other and to the world.”
After lunch, the Assembly listened to the draft of the Final Message of the Chapter, which was presented by Brother Daniel Horan, and provided their comments and input to the drafting commission on the key message and contents of the document. Capitulars also welcomed two new Definitors General, Brother Albert Schmucki for Central Europe, and Brother Konrad Cholewa for the Slavic region, who respectively arrived from Switzerland and Poland.
A dinner barbecue was organised and cooked by Brothers Julio Cesar Bunader, Tyberiusz Maka, Pedro Zitha, and Daniele Feligioni.
Thank you all for your great work and service. It’s so wonderful to be part of the General Chapter as we have never been able before. Blessing to Br Massimo and his team. From Sr Pia, Poor Clare, north Richmond, Sydney, Australia.