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SFO International Council - Quarterly
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See also: Guidelines for the celebration of SFO Fraternity chapters (Circular 70)
1. Introduction
Among the different structures which the religious community life has created to express and promote the spiritual values of its charism, a particularly important one is the gathering of the components of the community convoked to deal with issues regarding their professed form of life, an assembly which is generally called Chapter.
The name, originating in the monastic environment, referred to the assembly of religious members of a community for the purpose of reading and discussing one of the “chapters” of the Rule. From here the use of the term Chapter also when referring to both the location and meeting itself.
The Franciscan family, from its origins, has instead conferred a particular connotation to the term Chapter, the expression for its very reason of existing: the fraternity. Thomas of Celano, faithful witness to the way of thinking of Francis of Assisi, emphasized the fraternal value of the Chapter when he reminded us that the friars “were committed to even donating themselves to meet the needs of the brothers. They were happy when they could meet, happier when they were together” (Franciscan Sources, 1C XV, 39).
For Saint Francis the Chapters were of extreme importance in the life of his friars. They were gatherings of brothers in the name of the Lord. They constituted true celebrations of life in fraternity, animated by the Holy Spirit. In the Regula non bullata, Francis asks that the friars gather together in the Chapter to discuss matters pertaining to God (Chapter 18).
According to Saint Clare, “the Chapter is important to consult with all the sisters concerning whatever pertains to the welfare and good of the monastery; for the Lord frequently reveals what is best to the least (Rule. St. Clare 4,16-18).
Francis himself, fully aware of the gift and the calling to be brothers in an evangelic fraternity, often invites his friars to become more aware of the action of God, who brought them together through his grace: “And, wherever the friars are and have come upon one another, let them mutually show themselves to be members of each other’s family. And let one without fear manifest to the other his own need, since, if a mother nourishes and loves her own son according to the flesh, how much more diligently ought he love and nourish his own spiritual brother?” (Franciscan Sources, LR VI, 7, Regula bullata VI, 8).
If we consult the writings of Saint Francis and his biographies, we realize that the Chapter was a gathering of brothers at different levels, where the spiritual life of the friars was dealt with. We could point out some aspects: the proclamation of the Word of God, prayer, exhortations and admonitions for living the Rule at best, the promulgation of regulations, the election of ministers, fraternal sharing and the revision of life, confession of personal sins, common prayer, fraternization, sending to the mission, reciprocal consolation…
In the present SFO legislation there is a distinction between the various types of chapters according to the level of the Fraternity that is celebrating it and according to their purpose. From the purpose point of view, we can distinguish the deliberative Chapters from the elective ones; from the point of view of level, we find the local Chapter (or Assembly), (G.C. art.49.2), the regional one (G.C. art. 64), the national one (G.C. art. 68) as well as the General Chapter (art. 70.3 and 4).
Because of its peculiarity, the general Chapter, requires regulations of its own. Here we will deal with the national Chapter and the local and regional Chapters, starting with a fervent recommendation: that the participants adequately prepare themselves by praying and reading (or re-reading) the dispositions that regulated them: General Constitutions, Ritual and Statutes.
2. GENERAL CRITERIA
2.1 – Celebratory character of the Chapter of the SFO Fraternity
The Fraternity Chapter is not an ordinary meeting, like civil or secular meetings. The Chapter is also a feast. To celebrate is to “make present”. To make what present? In the first place the Capitular assembly makes Christ himself present. Jesus Christ who teaches, Jesus Christ who serves, Jesus Christ who prays. Jesus Christ is present “...where one or two people are gathered in my name...”. Furthermore, the Capitular assembly evokes the Church and renders it present. It constitutes the Church assembled in faith, hope and charity.
The Chapter is to be always celebrated in an attitude of conversion, since there is a search for greater perfection in life according to the Rule, in fraternity. In the Chapter all personal interests and ambitions of power must be excluded. Everything must be done according to the example of Jesus Christ, in the spirit of service.
Therefore, the essential aspects of a Chapter are: - The proclamation of the Word of God, which enlightens the themes to be discussed; - Prayer; - The search for what is best for the life of the Fraternity.
It goes without saying that since the group exists because of a project which has God as its inspiration and goal, it is God who must be at the heart of the thoughts of the group and of each one. Only in Him will we find inspiration to conform to His authentic will. “Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Sal. 126 (127), 1).
In our life, we must always recognize the primacy of the Spirit. If we are secular Franciscans it is because the Lord called us to be so, because He has a project for us. His project, not ours. We must, therefore, listen, in the best possible way so that we can hear well and render our vocation more firm, as Saint Peter taught us. (2Pt 1,10).
We, therefore, must:
In all this, however, a sense of measure is needed, because talking in continuation is not productive.
2.2 –Development of the Chapter
Needless to say, the implementation of the Chapter will be very different depending on whether it is a study Chapter or a deliberative Chapter, or an elective Chapter. In any of these cases, works will be introduced by one or more reports, which in any case must respond to the needs to strengthen, with renewed commitment, the values that derive from following Christ, to which we have voluntarily adhered under the loving care of the Saint of Assisi; to the need to do it together, as a Fraternity assembled by the Holy Spirit and called to grow in faith, in listening and welcoming.
Naturally, the introductory report will have an important space and will have to receive the attention it deserves from the members of the Chapter. It would be opportune also to prepare a brief outline of the essential points, which could be of use to the capitulars for study, reflection and subsequent debates.
The participants will then have to have enough time to intervene (have the “right of voice in the Chapter”). It is important that this point be fully elaborated taking all the time necessary: it is from a careful analysis of the state of the Fraternity that a project can emerge to enable its progress. The person who will preside or moderate, must see that interventions are concise and above all, kept to the subject.
The celebration of the Chapter thus becomes a privileged moment of personal and community formation, in the style of the most authentic Franciscan tradition: “At Pentecost all the friars assembled unto St. Mary and consulted how best they might observe the Rule…… St. Francis gave unto them admonition, rebukes, and precepts, according as seemed good unto him by the counsel of the Lord… He was untiring in exhorting the brethren to observe the Gospel and the Rule …” (Franciscan Sources L3C XIV, 57).
2.3 – The elective Chapter
An elective chapter, at any level, is celebrated to:
▪ Reflect together on the situation of the Fraternity and decide what should be done for the life and mission of the Order, invoking the help of the Holy Spirit so that He may purify the hearts, enlighten the minds and make those present docile to His motions at such an important time for the life of the Fraternity. ▪ Choose and vote for the responsible people to guide and animate the Fraternity.
By analysing the problems, it will be possible to determine the characteristics of the person capable of guiding the growth of the Fraternity and solving related problems most effectively. The report of the outgoing Minister and the interventions of the participants are essential to elect the persons with the most appropriate characteristics to “animate and guide” the Fraternity. With regard to elections, it is important to underline that one should not vote for those “who deserve it”, nor should one award someone by offering him/her a position of prestige; personal likings or dislikes must obviously be set aside.
The true judgement criteria should result in the election of those who have: · a true love for and deep sense of belonging to the SFO, · a marked sense and spirit of service (Minister means: he who serves), · concrete availability of time, mind and heart for the Fraternity, · human, spiritual and character qualities as well as the, experience and preparation needed to cope with the problems of the Fraternity in the given time.
3. STUDY, DELIBERATIVE OR EVALUATION national CHAPTER
3.1 – Its nature
The National Chapter, highest deliberative organ of the National Fraternity in its social or government affairs, has legislative, deliberative and elective power.
It is important to bear in mind that it is a General Assembly, or Chapter, of the entire National Fraternity. This Fraternity, formed by different Regional Fraternities (where they exist) and/or local Fraternities of a given nation, gathers in the name of the Lord, to deliberate on the best way to observe the Rule, its secular, evangelic Form of Life, in the way of Francis of Assisi.
It is a celebrative meeting in the name of the Lord to listen to the Word of God, respond to it, reach a deeper insight of the Way of Life, evaluate its evangelical vitality, deliberate and make decisions regarding important issues of the life of the National Fraternity.
Every three years the ordinary Chapter will also be elective. We shall deal with the elective chapter further ahead. Here we shall deal with the non elective National Chapter, also called study or deliberative or evaluation Chapter.
Jesus Christ, who teaches, prays and serves, makes Himself present in the chapter. Like the Regional and Local Chapters, it evokes the Church and renders it present, assembled in faith, hope and charity. The whole life of the Fraternity, with its positive and negative aspects, is also made present. All the participants rejoice and praise the Lord for the journey accomplished and repent for their misgivings, promising to be more faithful to their secular Franciscan evangelical Way of Life. Chapters are privileged times of renewal and grace for the entire National Fraternity. Hence, the importance that all the brothers and sisters of the National Fraternity be fully committed in the preparation of the Chapter and its follow-up.
It is mainly in National Chapters that the brothers and sisters living in Regional and Local Fraternities become aware of belonging to a larger Fraternity, which expresses itself in the entire nation and throughout the world.
3.2 – Its composition
It is practically impossible to assemble all the brothers and sisters in the National Chapter. Consequently, it is a meeting of representatives of the entire National Fraternity (representative democracy). The capitulars are representatives of each Regional and/or Local Fraternity, therefore the members of the Council of the National Fraternity are elected by the Fraternities.
3.3 - Aims
The aims of the study, deliberative or evaluation National Chapter are to:
3.4 – Frequency
The ordinary National Chapter is to be held annually or as established by the National Statutes. Every three years it will be an Elective Chapter.
3.5 – Preparation
The National Chapter must be well prepared.
The National Council must meet to establish an Agenda and the dynamics to follow in the Chapter. It is opportune to conduct a survey in the regional (or local) Fraternities to determine the issues to be dealt with in the Chapter.
The National Minister convokes the chapter, at least 3 months prior to its date of celebration, indicating the venue, day and time and the points to be discussed.
4. ORDINARY ELECTIVE NATIONAL CHAPTER
Measures to be taken by the National Council for the celebration of the elective Chapter in the Fraternity:
4.1 – Discuss the matter in a Council meeting well ahead of time:
a – establish the date based on the last election; b – convoke the National Chapter (cf. G.C., Art. 67. 2.a), informing its legitimate representatives; c – communicate the date of the elective Chapter to the CIOFS Presidency 12 months in advance so arrangements can be made to preside.
4.2 – Create awareness amongst the brothers and sisters, reminding them that:
a – animating and guiding (directing a Fraternity) in Franciscan language means SERVING (cf. SFO Rule, 21 and G.C. Art. 31); b – everybody is responsible for indicating and electing brothers and sisters with adequate qualifications to fulfil their respective tasks (cf. G.C. Art. 30, 1 e 2); c – the Elective Chapter is not an opportunity to contend for nominations, but one for brothers and sisters to make themselves available to render a service to the National Fraternity (cf. G.C. Art. 32, 2); d – only perpetually professed members can be voted (cf. G.C. Art. 77,1).
4.3 – Advisability of a survey
An objective survey:
a – makes it possible to ensure a greater and more practical participation in the choice of the future Council; b – shortens the time required for reflecting on and discussing the matter and avoids improvised indications; c – involves all the Fraternities in the process and calls for participation and co-responsibility; d – makes it possible to discover new leaders.
4.4 – How to conduct the survey
a – the National Council asks the regional (or local) Councils to indicate the names of brothers and sisters capable of serving the National Fraternity and fulfilling the various tasks; b – the brothers and sisters indicated in the survey must give their explicit availability to accept offices; express acceptance of nomination is a commitment not to refuse election except in cases of unforeseen impossibility; c – once the National Council is in possession of these names, it will bring them to the attention of all the brothers and sisters.
4.5 – Norms to be applied for the elective Chapter:
Norms in the General Constitutions: a) obligatory presence of the General Minister or his/her delegate (cf. G.C. Art. 76, 2 ); b) presence of a General Spiritual Assistant or a delegate of the Conference of General Assistants. If, due to circumstances beyond control, it is not possible for a General Spiritual Assistant or a delegate of the Conference of General Assistants to be present, the elective chapter remains valid (cf. G.C.. Art. 76); c) terms of office (cf. G.C.. Art. 78 and 79); d) re-elections (cf. G.C.. Art. 79, 1); e) additional successive terms (cf. G.C.. Art. 79, 3); f) incompatible offices (cf. G.C.. Art. 82); g) who can vote and be voted for (cf. G.C.. Art. 77, 1); h) temporary nature of service (cf. G.C.. Art. 32, 2); i) co-responsibility (cf. G.C.. Art. 30,2); l) qualities the councillors must have (cf. G.C.. Art. 31, 2 and 3); m) number of votes (cf. G.C.. Art. 78 e 79); n) cases of ties (cf. G.C.. Art. 78, 1); o) inobservances (cf. G.C.. Art. 79, 5); p) non retribution of any office q) norms relating to the Chapter President and the General Assistant (cf. G.C.. Art. 76, 2 and 3).
Particular norms in the National Statutes also apply, especially for what concerns the composition of the National Council to be elected (G.C. Art. 66.1), the election of the International Councillor and substitute International Councillor (FIOFS Statutes, Art.5).
4.6 – Procedure for the celebration of the elective chapter:
4.6.1 – Opening of the Chapter.
The President opens the chapter, in the name of the Lord and in accordance with the indications of the SFO Ritual: a) invocation of the Holy Spirit; b) reading of the Gospel; c) reading of writings of Saint Francis (it may be the IV Admonition); d) prayers for the celebration of the Fraternity elective Chapter; e) choice of Chapter officers (cf. G.C.. Art. 76,4): the president of the chapter designates a secretary and two tellers amongst the capitulars (cf. CCGG, Art. 76, 4); f) duties of the Chapter officers: Ø the Secretary verifies how many voters are present, proclaims those elected and writes the Minutes, to be signed by him or herself, the Chapter President, the General Assistant and the tellers; Ø the tellers distribute the ballot sheets, collect them and compare their number with the number of capitulars present. They count the votes and announce aloud the names of those voted.
4.6.2- Relinquishment of office on the part of the outgoing Council . The outgoing Council expresses thanks and leaves the office in the hands of the brothers and sisters, saying: “We, the members of the Council of the National Fraternity of ………………, Leave our offices in the hands of the brothers and sisters assembled here in the Elective Chapter”.
4.6.3 – Voting procedure ALL the names indicated in the survey and any others provided now must be written on the blackboard. The President invites all the candidates for the various offices to declare whether there are serious reasons hindering them from accepting the office, if elected. After the ballot, the secretary announces the result and if the brother or sister has received sufficient votes to be elected, the Chapter President asks if he/she accepts the office (cf. G.C., Art. 78,4). The person elected answers and the President confirms his/her in the office. If, for a valid reason, the elected brother or sister does not accept, a new election is carried out.
The President confirms the election (cf. G.C.. Art. 78,4) and, in conformity with the Ritual, says to the newly elected: “May the God of hope bring you such joy and peace in your faith that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all bounds to hope”.
4.6.4 – Closing of the Chapter The installation in office of those who have been elected should take place preferably during the liturgical celebration. The President entrusts them with their office saying :
“I, ..................................... General Minister of the Secular Franciscan Order (or delegated by the Minister ..............................), declare that these brothers and sisters who have been elected are now officially in charge of their respective offices”.
Closing of the Chapter in conformity with the Ritual.
5. additional guidelines.
5.1 – Elective offices in the National Council. To be a Council member at any level, with right of voice and vote, it is necessary that the member be elected. Offices by way of appointment or “co-opting” no longer exist.
5.2 – Single candidate. Should the Assembly insist in presenting a single candidate, after evaluating the possibility of finding others, the President can accept this single candidate on condition that it is clarified that the capitulars are free to vote for another person.
5.3 – The General Constitutions of the SFO refer to the offices of the Fraternity Council in three distinct groups, i.e.: a) office of Minister; b) office of Vice-Minister; c) office of Councillor (Secretary, Treasurer, Coordinator of Formation and any others foreseen by the National Statutes or decided by the elective Chapter).
5.4 – The election for the offices of each group proceeds according to the norms of the General Constitutions: a) for the Minister (Art. 78, 1); b) for the Vice-Minister (Art. 78, 2); c) for the Councillors (Art. 78, 3).
5.5 – Each Council should find the most practical way of conducting the ballots, once 3 (three) steps have been taken: a) – election to the office of Minister; b) – election to the office of Vice-Minister; c) –election to the offices of Councillor, which must be specified; these elections cannot be conducted together, but should be conducted using single forms each one indicating the individual office being voted for.
5.6 – Re-elections: a) in the case of renewal of the mandate or re-election of the Minister, the G.C. (Art. 79, 1) allow for a maximum of three successive elections (no more than three consecutive elections). Regardless of the mandates, the outgoing Minister cannot be elected Vice-Minister for the immediately successive period (G.C.. Art. 79.2). b) the re-election of the Vice-Minister proceeds in the same manner (G.C.. Art. 78.2), but the outgoing Vice- Minister can be elected Minister; c) in the case of Councillors, beginning with the third successive election, they must obtain 2/3 (two thirds) of the votes of those present (cf. G.C.. Art. 79, 3); d) furthermore, for what concerns the Councillors, it should be noted that their mandates should be considered in terms of members of the Council and not as holders of a given office (Secretary, Treasurer, etc.). Consequently, successive mandates in the various offices of Councillor must be summed up; e) in the case of a Councillor who has already been elected one or more successive mandates, can he or she be elected Minister or Vice-Minister? Yes, because it is a question of distinct offices and the three-year terms are calculated separately. As a result they are not summed up.
5.7 – Incompatible offices: cf. G.C.. Art. 82.
5.8 – Irregularities. The CIOFS Presidency Council has the power and the duty to invalidate elections and convoke them again in cases of inobservance of the norms of the General Constitutions and National Statutes. (cf. G.C. Art. 79, 5).
6. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
6.1 – Prepare in advance ballot sheets for the elections and summary of votes. 6.2 – Prepare copies of the prayers so that everyone present has one and can participate.
7. REGIONAL AND LOCAL CHAPTER
We recommend the National Councils to prepare similar “Guidelines”, duly adapted, for the Regional and Local levels.
CIOFS Presidency, issued in Rome on April 26, 2008
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