Franciscan Action Network

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The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a

Franciscan sisters, friars, secular Franciscans, and others. The organization was created to address issues regarding ecology,[1] human rights, poverty,[2] and general peacemaking in the United States
.

FAN is led by active

Friars
(from different orders: Friars Minor, Friars Minor Conventual, Friars Minor Capuchins, Third Order Regular, and Atonement Friars), and four lay people.

History

The Franciscan Action Network was formed in 2007 in Baltimore Maryland by a group of more than 150 Franciscans who gathered from across the United States. It has grown to include membership of over 50 Franciscan groups. While Catholics make up a majority of FAN, its membership also includes Episcopal, Lutheran, and Ecumenical Franciscan groups.

Advocacy

FAN promotes the positions of the

pro-life" stance on abortion and its members participate at the annual March for Life in Washington, DC
.

Franciscan Earth Corps

In 2012, the FAN initiated the Franciscan Earth Corps (FEC), a ministry aimed at encouraging young adults to participate in FAN advocacy activities. FEC provides training and resources in

sustainable living projects, spiritual reflection, retreat, community building, and advocacy work.[4]
In 2013, there are Franciscan Earth Corps chapters in ten cities, mostly located in the Eastern and Midwestern United States.

Fr. Sam Fuller, OFM Cap., leading a march on climate change in Hartford, CT.

Immigration reform

Following the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, who called Franciscans to be migrating people of prayer,[5] FAN directs a significant part of its efforts to promoting immigration reform,[6] advocating for a clearly defined pathway to US citizenship which prioritizes family unity. To this end, FAN collaborates with the Justice for Immigrants Campaign of the USCCB and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.

The FAN has stood in resistance to the possibility of a registry of all Muslims living in the United States. They have also opposed the travel ban against several Middle Eastern countries as proposed by President Trump and his administration.[7]

FAN Members hold vigil during the Supreme Court hearings on Arizona's immigration law SB 1070.

Climate change

In accord with their understanding of the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, patron

public protests on this issue.[10] This advocacy has led to criticism from other Catholic groups.[11]

Human trafficking

FAN works with the USCCB's Anti-Trafficking Services Program and is a member of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations against Human Trafficking. FAN also collaborated with Franciscans International and the Franciscan Federation in a project to review the issue of human trafficking in the 2013 United Nations review of the United States.[12]

Peacemaking

FAN promotes peace by offering resources on civil dialogue, working for legislation to reduce gun violence, and addressing arms issues such as nuclear weapons.[13]

References

  1. .
  2. .
  3. ^ "Mitt Romney Criticized By Franciscan Friars For Comments On The Poor". Huffington Post.
  4. ^ "Inspired by St. Francis, young adults look to emulate his bond with nature". Washington Post, Renee K. Gadoua | Religion News Service February 24, 2014
  5. ^ Franciscans Advocating for Immigration Reform [dead link]
  6. .
  7. ^ "Franciscan Commitment for Resistance of Muslim registry | Franciscan Action Network". franciscanaction.org. Archived from the original on 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
  8. .
  9. ^ "‘Light for Lima’ vigil for climate change held in front of White House". The American Bazaar.
  10. ^ "Faiths join global climate marches as Vatican urges action". The Tablet. 25 September 2014 by Ellen Teague, Liz Dodd
  11. ^ "Catholic groups rally against climate change amid intense church debate". Washington Post. By David Gibson | Religion News Service January 14
  12. ^ "Sex trafficking, indentured labor bedevil victims and foes alike" Archived 2013-07-08 at the Wayback Machine. The Dialog. By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service
  13. ^ "Peacemaking". www.franciscanaction.or. Archived from the original on 2019-01-06.

External links