October was not only the month Franciscans celebrated and honored St. Francis of Assisi, but it also brought us another reason to celebrate when FAN’s second annual Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference: Acting for Peace, People, Planet took place in Washington DC!
At this year’s conference, from October 12-15, 2024, we stressed respectful dialogue, deep listening, community building, peaceful action, and effective civic engagement, all important pieces of acting together for peace, people and planet. Drawing on what our Franciscan tradition has to offer to young and older adults as we navigate a complicated time in our country and our world, the conference provided participants with an experience of connection, learning, growth and empowerment.
This intergenerational gathering brought together students from seven Franciscan colleges and universities, volunteers from Franciscan service organizations, Franciscan religious, Franciscan Justice Circle members and Franciscan-hearted people from around the country.
Starting with fun, formation, and prayer, we learned from amazing Franciscan speakers and politically-diverse panelists, practiced important skills of nonviolent communication and de-escalation, studied effective civic engagement practices, and concluded with empowering meetings with our congressional offices. Our conference participants came together curious about whether their voices matter on questions of public policy and left confident that they do.
- 103 in-person attendees, approximately 60% young adults and 40% adults over 30, including: Franciscan sisters, friars, Seculars, Lutherans, Justice Circle members, service organization volunteers, campus ministers, and others
- 75 online participants
- 21 meetings with congressional offices from 11 states
- 17 Franciscan institutions participating, including Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, Franciscan Federation, Franciscan Service Network and Center for Action and Contemplation
- 7 Franciscan colleges or universities participating: St. Bonaventure U, Felician U, Hilbert College, Marian U, Neumann U, Siena College, Viterbo U, plus individual staff from UNC Chapel Hill and U. of Georgia
- 9 major partners: Conventual Friars/Our Lady of the Angels Province, Order of Friars Minor/Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, Capuchin Franciscans/Province of St. Mary, Franciscan Srs. of Penance and Christian Charity, Srs. of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Srs. of St. Francis of Rochester MN, Srs.of St. Francis of Clinton IA, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, and Srs. of Charity of Cincinnati.
- 12 Justice Circles: We organized conference participants into 12 impromptu Franciscan Justice Circles, demonstrating how this model of grassroots organization can help bring groups together, linking spirituality and loving action in our communities and campuses.
Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is pleased to join with the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities (AFCU) in organizing a 2025 conference, where we will strengthen our ability to bring our authentic voices to bear on issues facing our communities, nation, and world.
“I am convinced that we can come together to create a new paradigm, one that is rooted in justice, peace, and respect for all people and our common home. Together, we have the power to change the course of history, to heal our wounds, and to create a future filled with hope, where the dignity of every person is upheld and where we live in harmony with creation.” (Address to the United Nations Sept. 25, 2015 by Pope Francis)