Advocacy Resources
Welcome! We at Franciscan Action Network (FAN) are excited to join with you as we advocate for Franciscan values.
Franciscans have a rich history of advocacy, beginning with St. Francis. In his 1220 “Letter to the Rulers of the People,” St. Francis encouraged civil authorities to be mindful of Gospel truths. He saw his duty as interceding before those with power in favor of the just cause of the Gospel: the message of love, mercy, peace and justice for God’s children.
Franciscan advocacy in our current time is the strategic and deliberate process to bring about change in policies and practice, while also being a way to help people realize their power and give effective input in the decision making processes that impact them and creation. Franciscan advocacy calls on leaders to use their power in ways that promote peace, protect creation, and support the well-being and human dignity of all people, especially those in a situation of poverty or on the margins.
Current Issues
Learn more about our issue areas and see examples of our recent work:
Peace Making
Poverty
Human Rights
Care for Creation
Other Issues
Congress updates this legislation website with details about various pieces of legislation, leadership in both the House and Senate, and much more. We invite you to familiarize yourself with it, searching for bills on issues you care about.
Call or Send a Message to your Member of Congress
Constituent calls and messages are a valuable way of influencing members of Congress. Find your members of Congress at the following:
- Representatives – Put your zip code in the box in the top right corner. They might ask for your full address, as there are some cases where multiple representatives cover one zip code.
- Senators – Click the box next to the US flag in the top left corner and click on your state.
If you know who your representatives are, the formula for their website typically is: lastname.senate.gov or lastname.house.gov
Meet with your Member of Congress
In-person or virtual meetings are one of the most effective ways to engage in advocacy.
Click here for a document that walks you through how to set up, prepare for, and participate in a meeting.
Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor
Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor are powerful ways to let your voice be heard on a particular issue. A letter to the Editor is a conventional letter sent to a magazine or newspaper to discuss the problems from its readers. It’s a good way to propose an idea to others in the community, impact public opinion or educate the public on a specific issue. It’s also a proven way to impact elected officials or policymakers in a direct or indirect way.
Here’s how to do it:
– Open with a simple salutation: “To the Editor” is sufficient.
– Get attention with your opening sentence.
– Tell readers your key point in the beginning. Be clear.
– Be brief, under 300 words, or whatever your newspaper’s requirements are.
– Let readers know why you feel so strongly about the issue.
– If you have a suggestion about what could be done, add it. Be specific. Have good reasons to back up your suggestion.
– Sign the letter with your full name (title if relevant), address, phone number and e-mail address.
For more specifics on how to write successful pieces, please click here.
Join a Franciscan Justice Circle
Franciscan Justice Circles (FJCs) are part of a movement of faithful engagement in the public sphere, rooted in the Franciscan tradition. They are places where people actively work to be a community of love in action, engaging in social or environmental justice issues that are important to them in their communities. If you would like to find out more information, please visit our webpage.
If you have questions about Franciscan Justice Circles or other ways to get involved, please contact us.
Making a Difference Through Advocacy
In April 2025, FAN staff did a general advocacy training workshop, explaining how to find and research your representatives, call & message them, schedule and participate in meetings with their offices, and write letters to the editor.
As Saints Francis’ and Clare’s spirituality brought them to see Jesus present in all people and the created world, may we nurture relationships with our elected officials and decision-makers that encourage them to act for the betterment of all.
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