Pope says fraternal religious orders offer witness in modern world

Published: 2003-10-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said fraternal religious orders offer an important witness of charity and poverty to the modern world. The pope made the remarks in a message to Franciscan Capuchin friars, who were meeting to reflect on their future ahead of a plenary council. The Vatican published the papal message Oct. 29. The pope reminded the Capuchins that the original desire of St. Francis was to form a community of brothers who would live as true disciples of Jesus. Today, this kind of religious life can offer a form of "spiritual therapy" for humanity, he said. "This form of life in fraternity constitutes a challenge and a proposal for the current world, which is often torn by ethnic hatred or by homicidal madness, filled with contrasting passions and interests, eager for unity but uncertain about which road to take," he said.

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