Indian Franciscan initiative in the Jubilee year of Mercy

Please read below the full text of the press release.

FREEDOM TO THOUSAND CAPTIVES!

INDIAN FRANCISCAN INITIATIVE IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY

The Indian Franciscans under the network of Association of Franciscan Families of India – AFFI have initiated a Nationwide plan to release at least 1000 prisoners free if not more, in this year of Mercy. The Major Superiors (Provincials and Generals) of all the Franciscan Religious Congregations in India gathered together for their 15th National Assembly in Shanthi Sadana in Bangalore from 16-19 February, 2016 and elected the National Executive Team for the next three years. The four day Assembly took up the theme: Franciscans: Christ’s Face of Mercy in this World.

There are around 50000 Franciscan Religious men and women in India with 54 Congregations and 164 Provinces spread throughout India. They are involved predominantly in the uplift of the poor and the marginalised through the various educational and medical institutions along with social works. Having already involved into the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, the call of the Pope Francis and the Church to the Jubilee year of Mercy added a special excitement in the mission of the Franciscans in India.

Among various programmes of Animations, trainings and seminars, the Major Superiors have specially focused on the release of the Prisoners who suffer due to petit theft and other minor crimes. Already the Franciscans have initiated this process of freeing the prisoners with the involvement of their school and succeeded in this mission. It would be spread  throughout India this year. Through negotiations with the Government authorities and concerned officials along with the involvement of the members of the Franciscan Congregations and their Institutions, the Franciscans would be strategically working out the ways and means not only to release the prisoners but also guide them to settle in life with dignity and hope.

The Franciscans have also planned to focus on the Sustainable Development Goals with special thrust on those living under extreme poverty and hunger, to stop violence against women, to focus on the education of the poor and the needy children and to involve in the holistic health of the rural poor and slum dwellers. All these undertakings will be the outcome of genuine spiritual search in Deep God experience and commitment to the oppressed and the marginalised.

To enhance this the Indian Franciscans will have country-wide trainings and updates both at the national level and at the zonal levels. The outgoing National Team of Br. Mathew OFM.Cap, Sr. Sinclare FCC and Sr. Apoline UFS developed the National Network of Indian Franciscans as a model to other countries in view of deeper involvement into the lives of the poor. The New team that was elected for three years on 19th Feb. and it consists of the President Brother Dolphy Pais OFM.Cap, Vice President Sr. Ann Joseph FCC, Secretary Sr. Severine UFS and Treasurer Br. Remish Ekka OFM.Cap. Brother Nithiya was re-elected the National Coordinator.

Report by Nithiya OFM.Cap

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