On February 29, 2024 the Franciscan Action Network hosted a Lenten program, “Preparing our Hearts to be Peacemakers.”
Our speakers included renowned Franciscan scholar Fr. Michael Cusato OFM, scholar in residence at St. Bonaventure University, and Rachel Kleinfeld, Ph.D., a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and scholar of democracies experiencing polarization. Their presentations were followed by discussion in breakout groups on how we as Franciscan-hearted people can contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere in our communities, country, and world during challenging times.
The recording is available here and on our YouTube channel.
As Americans embark on another polarizing election year and react to wars in Gaza and Ukraine, it is more needed than ever for Franciscans to act as peacemakers, fostering respectful dialogue across differences, truthful and non-demonizing speech, nonviolent resolution of differences, and proper functioning of the US democratic system. Lent is also a particular time for introspection and asking how we might need to change to be better peacemakers. During this one-hour webinar, information and inspiration were offered with examples from our Franciscan tradition to light the way.
Washington, DC 20017