QUINQUENNIAL CONGRESS XVII, PITTSBURGH, PA * U.S. SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

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Franciscans Commit Order to Transforming Racism, Exclusion

More than 400 members of the Franciscan Family at the 17th Quinquennial Congress voted to affirm that the Secular Franciscan Order is committed to transforming racist attitudes and “all forms of exclusion that separate and oppress the people of God.”

The statement came on the heels of modeling “inclusion of all cultures and races during the Congress.”

Quinquennial Statement

In a spirit of Christian unity and love, over four hundred members of the Secular Franciscan Order gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from July 3 to 8, 2007. They celebrated their 17th Quinquennial Congress. Representatives came from all over the United States as well as from Caribbean islands, Canada, Australia, India and Latin America.

During their days together, they focused on the multicultural nature of their Order. Several cultural groups were highlighted, including Eastern Rite Catholics, Filipinos, Italians, Koreans, Mexicans, Native-Americans, Syro-Malabar Catholics from India and Vietnam.

The Secular Franciscans modeled inclusion of all cultures and races during the Congress. The Secular Franciscan Order has committed itself to an intentional effort to transform racist attitudes and all forms of exclusion that separate and oppress the people of God.

-- approved July 6, 2007,
in Pittsburgh, PA
by overwhelming voice vote of over 400 participants
17th Quinquennial Congress
Secular Franciscan Order in the U.S.