UCLAF: "Let us continue to build the synodal path as Friars Minor"

São Paulo, 26 January 2023. Br José Alírio Urbina Rodríguez, President of UCLAF, began the fourth day of the Assembly with the prayer of Lauds and the Eucharist on the day of the memorial of Saints Titus and Timothy.
Quoting Paul's letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7), Br José encouraged the friars not to abandon the mission entrusted to them but to continue to preach, proclaim, live and bear witness to the Holy Gospel. "Jesus does not ask us to be sensationalists or to practice extraordinary acts; He asks us to be His followers, disciples, witnesses of the light received from the Lord, which is the Lord Himself," said Brother José in his homily. He continued: "Brothers of UCLAF, we have all received the light that is Christ. Walking together as Friars Minor, we can enlighten other friars and people who long to escape from the darkness of fear, despair or indifference. Therefore, let us not be discouraged, let us not be ashamed, and let us not be afraid... Let us continue to build the synodal path as Friars Minor," he finished.

Safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults
General Definitor Br Albert Schmucki opened the proceedings by addressing the theme of safeguarding minors and vulnerable persons. According to the 2021 General Chapter Final Document, it is "the obligation of all the friars and the Entities of the Order to cooperate fully in the prevention, reporting and collaboration with all the competent civil and ecclesiastical authorities, in the task of guaranteeing justice and transparency in the handling of allegations of abuse throughout the Order".
In his presentation, Br Albert reported that six friars from UCLAF are attending the Safeguarding Course at the Gregorian University in Rome. These friars then become the reference persons in their Conferences, in close collaboration with the General Curia's safeguarding office.
By order of Pope Francis, each Province was urged to draw up guidelines for the prevention of abuse, creating safe environments where they live and work. "One aspect is prevention; the other is listening to and accompanying potential victims who have already suffered abuse in our environments. Yet another aspect is creating a space, a commission, that can receive complaints, listen to victims and take the necessary steps," explains Br César Külkamp, Definitor General for Latin America.  
Br Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, was clear: "Many provinces still resist carrying out investigative processes and forwarding them to the competent authorities. And this directly affects the person of the Minister General and the Ministers Provincial or Custodes. Today, the Church has taken a very firm stance, as the Pope himself calls for, to make all environments safe for children and vulnerable people. This is also the policy of the Order".

Finance at the Service of Charism and Mission
The Provincial Definitor of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, Br Robson Luiz Scudela, spoke about the responsible and social use of Church goods. In his view, Institutes of Consecrated Life are called to be good stewards of the charisms received from the Spirit, including through the management and administration of earthly goods. "Consecrated persons choose prophecy and withdraw from the dictatorship of a faceless economy without a truly human goal. Their poverty reminds us of the urgency of breaking free from the economy of exclusion and inequality because this economy kills. It is from this economy that the throwaway culture started," recalled Br Robson.
For him, finance is an instrument of the Church's missionary action. "If the field of finance is an instrument, if money is to serve and not to govern, then we must look at the charism, the direction, the purpose, the meaning and the social and ecclesial implications of finance". He concluded by emphasising the importance of an economy with a human face.

The complete account of the day on the website of the Province of Immaculate Conception