On October 23-28, 2023, the Foederatio Europae Mediae et Orientalis (FEMO) conducted an Assembly at the Mother of God Shrine in Szentkút, Hungary. The Superiors of the Provinces, Custodies and Delegations of eleven countries were present.
One of the guests invited to the Assembly was Dr. Imre MOLNÁR, a historian and former diplomat who spoke about his own conversion and the history of the Church in Hungary. Another was Friar Robert LEŻOHUPSKI, a jurist. He spoke about the guidelines established to protect minors and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse, the procedures to be followed in case of a complaint, and finally, spiritual abuse.
Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK, the General Delegate for Formation, participated online. He spoke about the documents Franciscan Discipleship and Ratio studiorum generalis.
Also present online was Friar Robert ZBIERAŃSKI, the President of the FEMO Formation Commission. Friar Robert reported on the activities carried out so far by the Commission and its meetings with the Superiors of the formation houses. He introduced the friars in initial formation and spoke about their problems in the contemporary world.
Friar Stanisław JAROMI, the President of the FEMO Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, also spoke at the meeting. Friar Stanisław was asked to talk about the 800th anniversary celebration of the Canticle of the Creatures, planned for 2025.
Friar Jan Maria SZEWEK, the FEMO Secretary, discussed the Order’s document: General Guidelines for the Preparation of Provincial or Custodial Directories on the Use of New Media. During the Assembly, the Superiors shared the joys and concerns of daily life in their Provinces, Custodies and Delegations. They also talked about personal and vocational issues in their Jurisdictions and their plans for the future.
Friar Tomáš LESŇÁK, the Assistant General for the FEMO Federation, extended greetings from the Minister General. Friar Tomáš invited the friars to discuss the implementation of the Motions [of the 2019 General Chapter], especially Motion no. 9, “Promoting Community Initiatives for a Life More Faithful to Our Charism: New Wineskins for New Wine.” He invited the friars to talk about some of the main issues the Church is facing.
The last item on the Assembly agenda was electing the new government of the FEMO Federation. Friar Wojciech KULIG, the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk), was elected as the FEMO President. Friar Piotr PAWLIK, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the Czech Republic, was elected as the FEMO Vice President and Friar Piotr MATUSZAK of the Province of Gdańsk was elected as the FEMO Secretary.
Eleven countries make up the FEMO Federation; they are Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Hungary.
The next FEMO Assembly will take place on September 2-7, 2024, in Bulgaria.
Friar Jan M. SZEWEK
