ASSISI (Province of Perugia), November 3
This morning (November 3, 2024), we read an article by Fabrizio Roncone on the front page of Corriere della Sera, entitled, “The Case of the Friars of Assisi Who ‘Bless’ the Regional Candidate (with the Canticle [of the Creatures] in Her [electoral] Program).” It is certainly an eye-catching headline that draws attention and can generate significant interest.
Nevertheless, when you read the article, it becomes clear that something doesn’t add up regarding this mysterious encounter with an unnamed friar. Those who know us understand that no friar would dream of eating an apple while going down to the tomb of St. Francis or using language like: “One must always draw strength from the Lord and from the might of His power, for everything difficult will become easy”!
It makes us smile to hear about the “global authority” attributed to our community. However, authentic statements from our Father Custos are rarely covered by national or international media outlets. Moreover, in September 2024, our Franciscan community, along with the Order of Journalists of Umbria and other partners, drafted and presented the “AI Assisi Act” here in Assisi. It is a reflection and an ethical manifesto for communications professionals in the age of artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, it has not garnered much attention in the media.
We also understand that market forces demand the creation of sensational news stories—and to be honest, it makes us smile a bit. Even we friars, in our small way, strive to provide information and promote communication, aware that this is a delicate task in a democratic society. It involves conveying the truth of events, which is vital for fostering everyone’s freedom—a value we believe is important to all of us.
In keeping with a tradition that traces back to St. Francis himself, we friars believe we can foster the pursuit of the common good in society. Thus, we aim to be an inclusive community—just as our Father Custos, Friar Marco Moroni, emphasized during the recent G7 meeting on disability and inclusion—a community that welcomes everyone, including politicians of different orientations. We especially seek to emphasize the inherent and absolute value of the dignity of every person: those who have just been conceived, those who are vulnerable or fragile, those with disabilities, the elderly, migrants, and those who, due to the reckless decisions of the powerful, live—and unfortunately die—in the midst of bombing or extreme weather events.
In conclusion, we hope there will be greater consideration toward newspaper readers, who—through the very act of reading—express a fundamental trust in the newspaper and the professionals who work there. In his encyclical Fratelli tutti, signed in Assisi on October 3, 2020, Pope Francis teaches us that the fraternity we all aspire to is indeed the path to healing this world suffering from loneliness and violence. Such fraternity also requires reliable and respectful relationships that aid in the pursuit of truth and the common good.
It is a challenging and beautiful journey that involves everyone, including us friars. Let us walk together in love and truth.
Friar Giulio CESAREO
