Rule 20

The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities of various levels--local, regional, national, and international. Each one has its own moral personality in the Church. These various fraternities are coordinated and united according to the norm of this rule and of the constitutions.

This section, Rule 20 onwards is in Chapter Three of the Holy Rule, "Life in Fraternity" - and we begin with the explanation that there are various levels, local, regional and so on. A "Moral personality" is a somewhat technical term (cf. 1917 Code of Canon Law)  which means that the fraternity is a legal unit of government within the Church. It basically means that the fraternity is Canonically Established and has obtained Canonical Approbation from the local ordinary with sponsorship of the next higher level, to exist as a moral personality within the Church. The Approbation also refers to a "Legal Personality," so if necessary, the fraternity can take or defend itself from legal action.

Fraternities of various levels are united through a "chain of command" (if you will) from the Ministers General who ministers with the International Fraternity, to the National Fraternity level (almost every country has one, where there is a Franciscan Presence) and since some countries are very large (e.g. USA) there are also Regional fraternities to guide and animate the local fraternity. Beyond the legal relationships, we are looking at a framework of living and active communities, that serve as loving, loyal and active sons and daughters of Our Seraphic Father Francis. They exist with the approval of the Church.

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5-12-2008