Franciscans of India Unite for Justice and Peace

Dec. 6, 2004

INDIA — 

In the immense and diverse country of India, where just 2% of the one billion people are Christian, more than 35,000 Franciscans form an extensive base for humanitarian assistance and social advocacy.  

On 12 November, members of the Franciscan family in India and representatives of Franciscans International participated in a one-day consultation to explore ways of uniting the ministry of Franciscans, both nationally and internationally, for the cause of justice and peace. 

Sr. Madeleine Kayser, FMM and Ms. Deborah Hirt, Advocacy Officer represented Franciscans International at the meeting and presented ways in which Franciscans concerns can be brought to the United Nations. 

The one-day consultation created an ad-hoc inter-Franciscan team that will establish Franciscans International-India. 

The purpose of Franciscans International-India will be to facilitate greater communication and networking between Franciscans, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the Association of the Franciscan Family of India (AFFI) and other non-governmental organisations around justice, peace and development issues. 

Franciscans International-India also will facilitate national human rights trainings and raise issues of concern at the United Nations, such as Dalits, tribals, women and children. 

The day-long meeting was initiated by Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development.

Fr. Thomas Jacob, OFM Cap, presided over the final session discussion and, "encouraged Franciscans to continue to raise a collective voice for justice and peace." 

Sr. Madeleine and Ms. Hirt spent two weeks visiting Franciscan communities throughout southern India and were warmly hosted by several communities of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

"The ministries of Franciscans throughout India are truly incredible and dramatically impact the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable.  Yet the vastness of India often makes coordination and communication difficult.  With greater collaboration and organisation, Franciscans can be an even more powerful force to promote greater respect for human rights, human dignity and justice and peace in India," Ms. Hirt commented.

Members of the newly created ad-hoc committee include Sr. Stella Balthazar, FMM (Co-ordinator); Fr. Bobby Vaddakal, OFM (Secretary); Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap; Mr. Antony; Fr. Philomin Raj; Fr. Jesu Irudayam, OFM; Fr. Divakar, OFM Cap; Sr. Mariamma Kalathil, FMM; Mr. Victor Singarayar; and Fr. George Valiapadath, OFM Cap.  Ex-officio members also include Bishop Peter Remigius, the Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Justice, Peace and Development; Fr. Thomas Jacob, President of AFFI; and Fr. John Quigley, OFM, Executive Director of Franciscans International. 

Story from Franciscans International:
http://www.franciscansinternational.org/news/article.php?id=629

Published: 6/12/2004