On June 18-20, 2018, the Franciscan Conference of Mexico (COFRAMEX) celebrated its 2018 annual assembly on the theme: “Unity in the Franciscan Family.”
The Franciscans of Mexico wanted to dedicate this 2018 assembly to unity in order to continue the work which the Ministers General of the Franciscan Order started in 2013. At that time, Pope Francis expressed the desire that the Order should strive for unity and thus be rejuvenated through an authentic and profound reconciliation. The assembly was held at the “Casa Pastoral Juan Pablo”, in San Juan de los Lagos, in the State of Jalisco, Mexico.
Around 100 participants attended the assembly; men and women, religious and laity, all with the Franciscan charism in their hearts. They reflected on and discussed unity within the Order and showed their desire to bear witness to the world the gospel charism they received and to do it with strength and conviction. They wanted to examine their own history together, as true brothers and sisters sharing the same journey. It is a “journey full of promises, challenges and abundant blessings,” as the President of COFRAMEX, Friar Néstor WER, OFM Cap., said in an interview.
The assembly examined the current status of the nation and acknowledged its challenges, especially regarding issues such as migrants, youth and peace building. In composing the final message of the assembly, the Franciscan Family in Mexico committed itself to “collaborating among its own presences and with others for the sake of peace and goodness, thus contributing towards the building of a more just and peaceful Mexico”.
During the assembly, the 40th anniversary of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) was also proclaimed. The Rule was approved by Pope Paul VI on June 24, 1978.
This final message of the 2018 assembly was signed by Sister Virginia RAMÍREZ (OIC); Friar Ángel GABINO GUTIÉRREZ (OFM); Ángel DE LA ROSA (OFS); Friar Constantino ALONSO (OFM Cap.); Sister Lourdes GARCÍA (OSC Cap.), Friar Herlindo APARICIO CRUZ (OFM Conv.), Sr. Guadalupe SAINZ (OSC), Friar Armando VÁZQUEZ (OFM), María Esther PÉREZ (OFS), Friar Sergio BELLO (TOR) and Friar Néstor WER (OFM Cap.).
Editorial board
