Who we are…

The Franciscan Coalition for Justice and Peace is the organizing vehicle for all justice and peace ministries in the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi.  We are a ministry of the Catholic Community of St. Francis, not a separately incorporated entity.  We find meaning in this location…

The Franciscan Coalition exists because the Catholic Community of St. Francis believes that the Gospel – when preached and lived rightly – is unwaveringly public and inextricably embodied.  The life and teaching of Jesus Christ, as narrated in Scripture, accordingly forms and informs all that we do.

We are proud of the tradition and teaching of the Catholic Church, which has stressed these aspects of the Gospel throughout time.  The Coalition thus endeavors to promote and perform the social mission of the church – which is itself an attempt to apply the teachings of Christ in our world today.

Finally, we find our identity as “Franciscans” to be central to the witness we bear.  Following in the footsteps of our patron, we wish to approach our ministries with the unique charism and rich tradition instantiated by the lived example of St. Francis of Assisi.

What we do…

Our efforts fall into three mutually-inclusive and overlapping categories: service, advocacy, and education.  We see all three areas as integral to fulfilling our mission to live out the Gospel faithfully.  To the left, we have links to each of our existing ministries by category.  There you will find information about their mission, upcoming events, and contact information.

What's next in the Coalition...

"Hunger No More" Conference - February 27 & 28, 2009

The Franciscan Coalition is planning a comprehensive hunger crisis conference for February 27 & 28, 2009.  Entitled “Hunger No More,” this conference will bring together leaders and activists from all over the country to address ways people of faith and good will can respond to hunger - at home and abroad.

Why this conference?  Why now?

The aim of the conference is to address the current crisis in food security – which has become the lived reality of millions around the world. This crisis is worsening… exacerbated by rising oil prices, climate change, lack of political will, government policies, mandates for corn based bio-fuels and other factors. We – the global human family – simply cannot afford to ignore it.

Motivated by the social teachings of the Church, the Franciscan Coalition wishes to provide an ecumenical, interfaith venue in and through which people of good will can deepen their understanding of the crisis, establish points of contact within the network of hunger activists, and develop/enhance their capacity to organize their community/communities to address and alleviate hunger – at home and abroad.

Who's invited?

The conference is primarily intended to engage people of good will throughout North Carolina and across the eastern seaboard of the US. While specifically aimed at adherents of the Abrahamic faith traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), the conference is open to all concerned persons from all walks of life and all parts of the country and world.

Who is coming?  What topics will be addressed?

David Beckmann (President, Bread for the World) – one of the foremost advocates for hungry people in the world – will be the keynote speaker, flanked by distinguished activists in the anti hunger movement. Presenters in six breakout sessions will cover such topics as:

- Global Hunger: Systems, Snafus, and (Possible) Solutions (Panel Discussion)

- Local Hunger: Systems, Snafus, and (Possible) Solutions (Panel Discussion)

- Advocacy and Public Policy: Empowerment for Change

- The Experience of Hunger: Documentary & the Human Face of Hunger

- Climate Change and Famine: Hunger in a Changing World

- Student Activism and Hunger (Panel Discussion)

Where will this conference be held?

All sessions will run on the St. Francis parish campus - primarily in Anthony and Clare Halls.

Where can I find more information?

More information will be available soon at:

www.StFrancisRaleigh.org/HungerConference   &

www.FranciscanCoalition.org/HungerConference

Please feel free to contact Joseph Wolyniak (Franciscan Coalition Advocacy Coordinator) with any comments or questions.

For more information on any of the above or to join the Coalition, please contact us...

 Check out our advocacy website for more information and tools for action.

Click on the logo below to visit this Web site: