Rule 15

Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith.

Rule 15 deals with our role in the area of social justice. What is social justice? It deals with people, their civil rights, hunger, intolerable conditions, for example, as in the Darfur. Franciscans (our brother friars) are very much in the forefront in the area of social justice. Secular Franciscans can join them or get involved in community actions of our own. Keep up with what is going on in the world around us. As Rule 15 states: "Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith." You know what the Church tolerates... usually based on the Decalogue (10 Commandments), so do not endorse public people who knowingly and consistently and publicly violate these Commandments. It is mostly a matter of having common sense and being somewhat cautious. For those of us who are in business, labor, people who use creative powers, we have a responsibility to God, too.

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5-10-2008