"You have come from different areas of our world where the Order is present, they are here representing different cultures, different languages, different situations to dialogue about this essential element of our vocation as Friars Minor: the commitment to Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation." These were some of the words in the inaugural message of Br. Ignacio Ceja, OFM, Vicar General, to the participants of the International Council for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) gathered in the city of Assisi from the 1st till the 7th March, 2025.
In the first two days, the reports of the JPIC work of the last three years were presented. During the presentations, the noble work of many Franciscans in the world in various areas related to the priorities of the triennium, namely, conversion, climate justice and integral ecology, was palpable; attention to migrants and refugees; and the commitment to non-violence and peacebuilding.
The reports also noted the increase in social conflicts in regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as wars in Europe and the Middle East. These wars and conflicts have resulted in the growth of the number of migrants and refugees in recent years.
On the third day, the commission visited the friary of San Damiano, where St. Francis composed the Canticle of the Creatures in 1225. There, the friras and Sisters, guided by Br. Sisto Russo, OFM, visited every corner that marked the life of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi. In addition, the participants celebrated the Eucharist presided over by Br. Cesare Vaiani, Definitor General, in the same chapel that Francis rebuilt with his hands and in which he experienced the call of the Crucifix.
A day earlier, Br. William Short, OFM, offered a profound reflection entitled The Canticle of Creatures and Integral Ecology, while Gabriel López, founder of Catholics in Network, during his speech raised awareness about the importance of communicating our activities, especially through the story-telling that we are experiencing in our service.
The International JPIC Council is made up of the animator of each of the thirteen Franciscan Conferences and the five members of the JPIC Animation Committee and "is a consultative group, constituted by the General Definitory, in order to assist the JPIC Office, the General Definitory and the Conferences in their important task of formation, awareness, animation and commitment of the Order in the field of JPIC" (Art. 1 of the JPIC Particular Statutes).
