Meeting of JPIC Animators in Rome

From Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2024, the animators of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry from all the conferences of the Order met in Frascati, Italy, to reflect, evaluate and plan the animation of this ministry.

On the first day, in the morning, Fr. Michael Lasky OFMConv gave an engrossing presentation on this ministry, offering ways for rethinking this area as an essential part of Franciscan spirituality. In the afternoon, Br. Joel de Jesus, the current director of JPIC at the General Curia, presented the new edition of the JPIC Handbook, which has just been completed but is still being vetted for possible changes and corrections.

The second day was reserved for the presentation of reports by the JPIC secretaries of the conferences, who gave clear summaries of the many important projects that the friars are carrying out in this field on behalf of the poor. In some conferences this ministry is well developed and organized, in others it is still in its infancy. However, for the latter there is much in the way of commitment and goodwill from the friars involved and significant strides have already been made. In many places the JPIC ministry is active and involves many friars. However, it is recognized that there is still resistance from a considerable number of friars to this ministry and it is necessary to create a greater awareness that it is truly an integral part of the essence of our charism and spirituality.

The third day was dedicated to the development of a summary and some proposals that are to be presented during the next General Chapter as a means for informing all the brothers of the importance of the JPIC. In addition, a small commission formed by some participants drafted a brief overview and some proposals, which will be submitted to the General Minister and his Council. Among the proposals was one addressing the need to create commissions at various levels: circumscriptions, conferences and the Order – in this case, an international commission.

The meeting was attended by Br. Joel de Jesus, director of the General Curia’s JPIC office, and JPIC liaisons from the conferences of our Order: Br. Alberto Poblete, Br. Michael Flores, and Br. Pionius Hendi of PACC; Br. Arun Lobo and Br. Scaria Kalloor of CCMSI; Br. Francis Bongajum Dor of CONCAO; Br. Hailegabriel Meleku of EACC; Br. Marcelo Toyansk of CCB; Br. Laercio Ferreira of CCH; Br. James Donegan of NAPCC; and Br. Michael Wiess and Br. Stefano Luca for the circumscriptions of Europe. Br. Sergio Lorenzini, provincial minister of the Province of Marches, attended as guest speaker and did a presentation on a JPIC project of his province, specifically at Camerino. Br. Clayton Fernandes and Br. Mariosvaldo Florentino offered their services as interpreters, and Br. Mariosvaldo also prepared all the liturgies. General Councilors Brother Silvio de Almeida and Brother Maurizio Placentino also participated.