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CNSA¹
RECOMMENDATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND SHARED REFLECTIONS.
Received 3/30/2008 from FFMR Regional Minister
COMMENT:
The following page[s] contain recommendations, reflections and
correspondence of the CNSA on issues brought to its attention both
by spiritual assistants and Secular Franciscans. Obviously, these
statements can be changed or adjusted by CNSA. Changes that the
CNSA make in the future will be edited into these pages. These are
recommendations and not laws.
PRISON
MINISTRY
2008
It is the mind of the CNSA:
1. That prisoners are not to be invited to become members of the SFO.
It would be difficult, if not impossible, for them to be part of the
common formation program and to work within the fraternity-community
life and apostolic ministries. Common, fraternal life is of vital
importance for formation. We strongly recommend that prisoners NOT
enter formation or become members of the SFO while they are in
prison.
2.
Individuals who are in prison can be encouraged to learn about our
charism. But the time for their formation and formal admission to
the SFO should come after they have been released from prison and
are able to begin formation to the SFO in a fraternity they choose
to join.
3.
Ministry to people in prison is a good ministry for SFO members. We
encourage such a ministry for those who are called to it. Many
forms of Christian education, Bible study and other educational
pursuits can be established to offer prisoners a sense of worth.
However, it is NOT the time to invite them to formation to begin
entry into the SFO.
COMMENT:
People in prison can read and learn about St. Francis and live his
spirit in prison, but without entering the SFO. The requirements of
prison life make it impossible for prisoners to experience the
fraternal life of the SFO. Secular Franciscans are encouraged to
minister to them with love and compassion but not to invite them to
enter formation in the SFO while they are in prison. Once they are
released and feel they have a vocation to the SFO, the formation
program of a local fraternity would discern their vocation the same
way as any other applicant.
February
29, 2008 – Mission San Luis Rey – Oceanside, CA
PERMANENT
DEACONS
1. The
CNSA recommends that SFO permanent deacons and SFO priests do NOT
serve as ministers of fraternities unless they are freed to do so by
their local Ordinary (Bishop).
2. CNSA
encourages permanent deacons and priests to feel free to serve as
spiritual assistants to fraternities.
COMMENT:
Permanent deacons and diocesan clergy (who are SFO members) have a
primary duty to the diocese (parish) and to the Bishop of the
diocese where they minister. These responsibilities make it
difficult for them to serve as minister of a SFO fraternity which
requires a primary focus on service to the fraternity. Serving as a
spiritual assistant to a fraternity seems a more fitting service for
permanent deacons and diocesan clergy who are members of the SFO.
February 29, 2008 – Mission San Luis Rey – Oceanside, CA
Praised
be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom you give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
And bears a likeness of you, Most High One.
Canticle
of the Creatures – Francis of Assisi
(1) CNSA
- Conference of National Spiritual Assistants |
