‍Like his family and all those who loved Mateusz Tuniewicz, the Staff Team of Franciscans International (FI)  are still coming to terms with the shock that he drowned in Bali on 12 August 2011. Mateusz was the Regional Director of the Asia Pacific programme since May 2010. During his relatively short time with FI Mateusz worked with many Franciscans. He was an excellent trainer, delivering workshops with enthusiasm, which reflected his strong commitment to justice and his belief in the unique mission of FI.

Sanjay Gathia from the Bangkok office and I represented FI at Mateusz's funeral in Denpasar, Bali; whilst Fr. Markus Heinze ofm was present at the funeral mass in Gdansk, Poland.  The searing grief of his family and close friends was evident as they mourned the death of a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. Mateusz was so proud of his two beautiful children Emil (3) and Mila (11 mth). When Emil saw his Aunty Justyne crying at the cremation, he hugged her and said: "Please don't cry, my daddy knows how much you love him". So in gratitude for the life and love of Mateusz, we pray that he is at peace with the One who created the sea and all its wonders, which Mateusz loved and appreciated so much...

Sr. Denise Boyle
Executive Director FI

On 28 July 2011 Franciscans International and the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) publicly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations. This important symbolic moment confirmed the collaborative work and networking that is already in existence between FI and FAN. FI is the voice of the global Franciscan Family at the United Nations and FAN works with American Franciscans at Capitol Hill in Washington, US. Both organisations lobby and advocate to address justice issues that impact negatively on the most vulnerable.

"Building Together With Our Brothers" was the title of the assembly of French fraternities in Nantes, France, 14-17 July 2011. Approximately 250 delegates of the secular Franciscan family gathered together. With a desire to collaborate with the Franciscan family in France, Franciscans International (FI) accepted an invitation to share its mission with the assembly.

Sr. Odile Coirier fmm, FI Advocacy Officer, presented on FI's advocacy activities with Franciscans at the United Nations, including human trafficking, the environment, extreme poverty, and the mistreatment of the elderly (a subject which particularly touches France).

“St. Francis freely chose to be one with the poor.  Today, we need to convince ourselves of this reality: to be with, to see, to experience, so that we may better actualise our commitment as Franciscans.” These words were spoken by Nelson Tapia, SFO (Ecuador) in his reflection on Franciscan Spirituality and Extreme Poverty during FI’s Workshop on the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms and Extreme Poverty held in July, in Tarata, Bolivia.  Read more>>

Franciscans gathered from across Brazil in July for a workshop on 'The Second Round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR); and the Environment in preparation for the Rio+20 Conference.’ The workshop was co-sponsored by FI, the Franciscan Family of Brazil and SINFRAJUPE (JPIC group, Brazil). The main outcome from the week-long event is that Franciscans in Brazil have committed themselves to developing a stakeholder report for the second UPR cycle. They will also participate in the forthcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development by addressing the issue of 'Green Economy and Poverty.' Read more>>

On 21 September 2011, a variety of groups, organisations and people worldwide will host and attend events for the International Day of Peace. JPIC (Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation), USG (Union of Superiors General), and UISG (International Union of Superiors General), invite all of us to be part of this action for peace in a prayerful way. Prayer material is available to be used by communities, houses, groups, parishes and dioceses (19 languages). Read more>>