in recent years by those who oppose the creation of the structural SFO , we have tried to insinuate doubts about the interpretation of "organic union of all Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world" contained in Article 2 of the SFO Rule, stating that the nature of this "union" is just Federal .
This is all the more surprising in the sense of this term, has long been clear defined in its scope of interpretation, not only in the real experiences of hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters throughout the world, but also because it was subject to multiple interventions of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Apostolic Signatura , the Holy Father of vm, John Paul II, and several Ministers General of the First Order and TOR.
We felt at this point, and continuing in the incomprehensible silence of those who should respond and protect the truth of interpretation, to offer some elements of doctrine and ideas that clarify the precise meaning of this expression and that, as I said, are the common and shared hear of hundreds of thousands of brothers and sisters throughout the world.
With the choice of words "... organic union of all ..." the Legislator (Holy See) wanted to express, without any doubt that
the Secular Franciscan Order is the union body, structural and undivided of all Catholic fraternities composed of all the brothers and sisters from all around the world by profession medesimo1 are incorporated into the Order, which is one and only.
The term "organic union of all ..." is anything but ambiguous scope of interpretation, since the adjective "organic" gives the unique attribute of corporeality and "all", embracing the universality of all fraternities throughout the world without any distinction. But
retrace some steps together in the training of our great Rule which, as we all know, is not the result of chance but a reflection of a study and lasted 12 years, with the support and prayers of all our brothers Secular Franciscans and sisters of the world, in communion with our brothers in religion, and the Holy See.
expressions contained in the Rule are the fruit mature and thoughtful of the Church, in its more united and authoritative.
Inclusion of "organic union" in the text of the Rule.
E 'extremely significant that this expression is explicitly desired, and placed under the final version of the Rule, the Holy See itself.
As can be seen by studying the history of the drafting of the Rule (R. Stewart, OFM, "De illis faciunt poenitentiam here" - Ist Stor. Cappuccini Rome 1991), the last three editions of the Rule, from 1977 to 1978 , before the final report approved by the Holy See does not have this expression, we find instead in the final version of Article 2.
Here's how it was developed text in question:
Editor of the International Commission of April 1977:
... takes the form of community brotherhood throughout the world ...
final text of the editorial board sent by General Assistants to the Ministers General:
is configured as a community ... and groups or fraternities around the world ...
text sent by the Ministers General of the Congregation: ...
is configured as a community of Catholic fraternities scattered throughout the world ...
Final text approved by the Holy See itself as
... organic union of all the fraternities Catholics around the world ...
could not be, therefore, more clear will of the Holy See (legislator) had intended to express and specify which union it is, namely an organic union structure, not due to a federal union of the components prior to the SFO.
A person of ordinary intelligence and culture, which has a good dose of logic and common sense, reading the Rule and General Constitutions, can not fail to realize that in them is never any reference to four distinct structures federate under a higher federal agency.
Instead we always talk and only a regional structure of a national organization, structure, International, respectively, with only a single Council and a minister.
A Federal building would require very different, more articulate and explicit formulations in the Rule and Constitutions, which, however, as everyone can see, are completely non-existent.
It is therefore preposterous and obvious purpose of those who insists that interpretation federation: to prevent the structural unification. Besides all this insistence
"federation" does not come with the beginning of the controversy, but much later, when he tried to give substance and ideology to a position that, leaving was not an "ideological".
To do this, just remember what Argia Passoni, then National Minister of Children, 15 years ago, wrote on the occasion of the 7th Centenary of the Rule "Supra Montem"
"The hermeneutic-historical survey highlights how only with the Rule of Paul VI, in a return to roots implemented in the full exploitation of the baptized as an active layman of the Church, it is possible to recover the full identity of the SFO. The SFO Reconquest, with these rules, its own moral personality in the Church: the fragmented former is welded by the organic union of the fraternity who buy their own authorities lay and the assistance of the First Order (instead of management) will keep it (sic) the spirituality of eliminating the dependence of the previous centuries. "
(Theological College San Antonio - Secular Franciscan Order (edd.), The Lord give you peace. centenary celebrations of the Secular Franciscan Order: the Rule of Nicholas IV to the present. 1289-1989. Preface, p.. ix-xiii. Bologna, Franciscan Editions, 1991)
need to comment!
definition of the word "Staff" (Diz. Italian-Sabatini Coletti):
covering an organ of the body as a functional unit, which refers to the human organism.
which is a coherent structure and therefore functional, complete.
Meaning and interpretation of the term "organic"
The concept linked to the term "organic" is borrowed from the Pauline doctrine of the corporeal bodies are one and the same body. Please read the following excerpts from the Letters of St. Paul: Eph 4, 1-16, 1 Cor 12, 12-26, Rom 12, 4-5. In these passages
S. Paul uses the image of the body where the limbs or organs, are integrated into a single body. Hence the term "organic-a".
Because vitally linked and coordinated together, these organs (for us The fraternities) are part of a single body structure.
Then the organic union presupposes and requires its structural joint and joint.
use of the word "organic" in the Code of Canon Law
It uses only three points, and two of them (both contained in the Apostolic Constitution Sacrae Disciplinae Leges which promulgates the Code of Canon Law), the word organic relates to the structure of the Church, in the clear sense of the Pauline concept of a single embodiment:
... hierarchical and organic structure of the Church
... in order that its hierarchical and organic structure is visible ...
From the above it can therefore be inferred again that:
organic union is the union of individual body organs, in our case, all the Catholic Fraternity of the SFO that organs of one and the same body are connected, coordinated and articulated all harmoniously together and compete for the same purpose, which is to give life to the body, which is the SFO world.
The Rule and General Constitutions
Rule
Article 2
"Within this family has a special place the Secular Franciscan Order. This is an organic union and open to every group of the faithful, in which the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state, with the profession they pledge themselves to live the Gospel in the manner of S. Francis and means of this rule by the Church. "
Again, the word" all "does not refer to a fraction, but to all, without exception, local fraternities around the world.
Otherwise, a reference to any partial reality and obediential would be required, as this text does not allow such a possibility.
Article 20 "The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into fraternities of various levels: local, regional, national and international levels. Each one has its own moral personality in the Church. These various fraternities are coordinated and connected with each other under this Rule and Constitutions. "
The vertical structure and centralized government at various levels, as well as the fraternal visitation, with the necessary powers of authority given to the bodies in charge of the SFO, is the expression of the vital link and the union body of the SFO itself.
General Constitutions
Article 28 2. Rule 20 "The SFO is divided into fraternities of various levels", with the in order to promote an orderly union and mutual collaboration between the brothers and their active presence and community, both in the particular Church in the universal Church ...
does not say "the SFO of their religious assistance is divided ... but only the SFO, the SFO and the only one.
Article 29 1. Local fraternities are grouped into fraternities at various levels: regional, national and international according to church policy, territorial or of another nature. They are coordinated and connected in accordance with the Rule and Constitutions. This is a requirement of communion among the fraternities, orderly collaboration each other and unity of the SFO.
Items 61 to 75
are the articles on the unitary structure and interdependence of fraternities fraternity in regional, national and international level with the description of the responsibilities of government towards the upper levels of the Fraternity of the lower level. In particular, Articles 61, 65 and 69, in defining regional fraternities, national and international, to reaffirm the notion that these constitute all the competing fraternity fraternity, never allude to or refer to any partial reality.
Article 92 1. Rule 26 The purpose of the visit, both the pastoral and fraternal is to revive the evangelical Franciscan spirit, to assure fidelity to the charism and Rule, to offer help to fraternity life, reinforce the bond of unity of the Order and to promote its most effective insertion into the Franciscan family and the Church.
Article 93 1. Visits to the local fraternities and to the councils at various levels, the visitor will check the evangelical and apostolic vitality, the observance of the Rule and Constitutions, and the insertion of the fraternities in the Order and the Church.
We always speak of a single order and not fractions of it.
Article 94 1. The visit is a moment of fraternal communion, service and concrete expression of the secular leaders at various levels so that the fraternity grow and be faithful to their vocation.
2. Among the various initiatives to achieve the purpose of the visit, the visitor will give particular attention to:
... ..
- the relationships with other fraternities at various levels, with the Franciscan Youth and the entire Franciscan family;
- compliance with the directives and guidelines of the International Council and other councils;
... ....
4. The visitor will check the records of the election of the Council will evaluate the quality of service to the fraternity by Minister and the other leaders, and study with them to solve possible problems.
Where should find that, for whatever reason, their service is not done adequately to the needs of the fraternity, the visitor will promote appropriate initiatives, taking account in particular circumstances, the provisions concerning resignation and removal from uffici2. (Authority for removal from the upper levels).
Confirmation of the Supreme Magisterium of the Church
Message of the Holy Father to the General Chapter of November 22, 2002
Here are some of the most significant and relevant steps of this message of the Supreme Magisterium in order to theme of organic unity:
"The Church expects from the Secular Franciscan Order, and only a , a great service to the cause of the Kingdom of God in the world today. She wishes that your Order is a model of organic, structural and charismatic at all levels, so as to present to the world as a "community of love" (Rule 26). "
..." The reflection, made this Chapter on "life-giving communion in the Franciscan family," urges you to be more dedicated to promoting meeting and first of all within your order, then against the other brothers and Franciscan sisters and finally, with great care, as St Francis wanted in connection with the hierarchical authority of the Church. Your
renewed legislation provides you with excellent tools to fully realize and express the unity of your order and communion with the Franciscan Family by precise coordinates. There is first provided the service of leadership and guidance of the Fraternity, "coordinated and united under the Rule and Constitutions" This service is indispensable for the communion between the fraternities, the smooth cooperation between them and the unity of 'Secular Franciscan Order (SFO General Constitutions cf. 29.1). I sincerely hope that
the new President of the International Council SFO (SFO) to continue the path taken by the old to the goal of a true body, for fidelity to the charism received from San Francisco and the basic lines of the renewed legislation of your order. "
The dissenters argue that this message has no "value" in law and that it is only a "greetings" of circumstance.
That statement is, to put it mildly, incomprehensible, if not offensive to the Pope. It seems to us that if the Pope had wanted to make just a simple greeting, you could certainly not bothered to take and develop all these doctrinal issues with firmness and authority!
E 'absolutely impossible to argue that his words should be regarded as "insignificant."
When the Pope speaks, he never speaks at random and I have absolute certainty that his words and his statements always have the weight of the Magisterium of the Pope, the Supreme Head of the Church of Christ.
part of the Decree of the Congregation of the November 2000
"The decision was appealed to correct the decree (c. 1739), while dutifully maintaining the obligation to seek unification by any means prescribed by the Rule and Constitutions praising all the components of the SFO that are now meeting the required unification structural. Regarding the component OFS / Min. Italy, affirms that it must also set out earnestly toward unification, however, is allowed their own path to unity, the achievement of which within one year of this Decree, must cooperate OFM Provincial Superiors of Italy, all Friars Minor and the concerned authorities of the SFO / Min.
The congregation has deliberately used the word structure.
It 's true that the dissenters have appealed against this decree, however, the Signatura has subsequently recognized the legitimacy and fairness of the decree absolute.
Following the decree, then, the congregation has written several times, saying, so incontrovertible, that the organic union is meant only as a structural body.
Judgement of the Apostolic Signatura, and his device. Articles
14:15
14THE current Rule of the Secular Franciscan was approved by Paul VI, June 24, 1978. In No Rule 2 of the configuration of the Order is established, which is not so much as a spiritual confederation of communion, but as the organic union of all the fraternities existing in the world. At no 20 then he talks about his liaison and coordination at local, regional, national, and international levels. About helping spiritual part of the First Order and TOR have no rules to 26: is established in this matter that the Board of the Secular ask the same assistance to the superiors of the four religious Franciscan families, to whom the Secular Order is attached. The connection is thus established by the Supreme Pontiff with either order, but with the entire Franciscan Family, with an implicit abolition of the prescription of can. 702 § 1 of CIC17, where he had only provided a link with a religious practice.
15 Constitutions, as we noted, they got re-approved on 8 December 2000, but it is necessary that we present text as they prevailed at the time of the dispute, although there is no material difference. Even in those is provided an organic union. Therefore, according to art. 73.c) of the Polish Constitution, the responsibility of the International Presidency, "to take urgent resolutions on any issues relative to the greater good of the SFO and the Constitution and the Statute SFO (SFO International Council), informing the person concerned and the National Council next General Chapter ": this allowed must also be applied to immediate operational decisions by which the union can be accomplished, a subject on which the Rule and Constitutions do not fall in particular.
expressions contained herein are so clear that it is absolutely amazing how you can draw out from this Judgement completely different answers!
Of particular importance is the statement in paragraph 14 about the connection desired by the Pope with the entire Franciscan Family, as an exception to the then current Code, which provided only a link with a single religious order. This rule does not exist anymore in the new Code. But then, the Supreme Pontiff, in order to affirm and guarantee the unity of organic, structural and body of all Secular Franciscans, and to ensure that this was affected by the distinctions of the First Order and TOR, wanted to make an express exception to the fee that was stopping!
not forget that the Pope, Paul VI, the beloved, is the same as in the pilgrimage of the Tertiary of Italy in Rome on 23 June 1968 with the Year of the faith he pronounced in the arm, coming from his heart, historical words:
... the Franciscan family is divided into several subfamilies, soprafamiglie, who found a formula in the Third Order Franciscans of understanding, fellowship, cooperation, solidarity and so compact that gives us a beautiful sign of the times: the ' units.
Paul VI had never forgotten this event and before his death took place his seal on his most precious gift for us Secular Franciscans, and consequently for the entire Franciscan family: the Secular Franciscan Order. The Court:
Negatively, that is not against the law, regarding the subject of the action confined to the obligation to work together to ensure the organic unity and structure in Italy is completed.
Please note that the Latin text contains the words unitas organic seu structuralis. The value of the conjunction seu
is clearly to emphasize two aspects or descriptions of the same concept in the sense of better specify its meaning, with value "or better" or "or" (Dictionary Latin - Conte-Pianezzola-Ranucci - 2004).
Thus, the addition of "structuralis" to the word "organic" to clarify and complete the sense of organic unitas.
Benedetto Lino, SFO
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