Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Franciscans in India reaffirm their commitment, next to Pope Francis, for the poor, for peace, for development: is what was said in a message sent to Fides by Fr. A.J. Mathew OFM, president of the Association of the Franciscan Family in India (AFFI), a network of 52 religious congregations inspired by the Poverello of Assisi, present in 165 Indian provinces. The network is organizing meetings and promoting projects at a national and regional level, to bear witness of the Franciscan charism in India.
Fr. Mathew recalls that the first vocation of the followers of Francis of Assisi is the service to the poor and marginalized. In addition, the Franciscans promote a culture of peace and non-violence that is valuable to the India of today. In the context of India today, he says, "the Franciscans renew their mission, speaking loudly on behalf of victims of war and violence in the name of the poor and also for those who suffer because of human greed".
"We want to spread the good news of peace and allow those who work in our educational, medical and social institutions, to become peacemakers in all what we do, we say and in all what we are", says the note sent to Fides .
The message recalls "the right of peoples to peace" and calls on the Indian institutions to reconsider "the cry of the poor, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals", working to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, the lack of primary education and health care, to reduce infant and maternal mortality". "We join the Mother Church, we join hands with those of Pope Francis - concludes the statement - in his mission for peace, for the poor and for Creation". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/09/2014)
