BASIC COURSE on Franciscan- Missionary Charism Loyalty and Betrayal: A History of the Franciscan Mission Lesson Unit 8 he documents of Vatican II, Pope Paul VI's Evangelii Nuntiandi, and Pope John Paul II's Redemptoris Missio have deeply affected the understanding of mission. Constant efforts are being made to clarify its purpose and T objectives, and to determine the most appropriate methods to carry it out. Go, Rebuild My Church: A Comprehen- sive Course on the Franciscan Mission Charism, provides a particular context to stimulate dialogue about the many dimensions of mission and the inevitable recognition of the equality, dignity and humanity of all persons. The course is unique, since it is genuinely inter-Franciscan and inter-cultural. An ongoing process for exchange among all members of the Franciscan Family from six continents provides for a creative meshing of the best in current theology, Franciscan research and pastoral practice. The vast and profound changes of present-day society make all the more urgent our search for a fuller understanding of humanity in the light of the Gospel and the Person of Jesus Christ. As Franciscans, with the world as our "cloister," we welcome this refreshing moment of intercultural dialogue. Fran- cis was the first among founders to situate the missionary dimension of the Gospel call clearly within his rule. This study reawakens us to the challenge and genuineness of Francis' message for our own times. Editor and copyright: Project Address: International Board of the CCFMC CCFMC Centre: Haugerring 9 D -97070 Wuerzburg Germany www.ccfmc.net Lesson Unit 8 - Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission Go, Rebuild My Church! AComprehensive Course on the Franciscan Mission Charism Loyalty and Betrayal: A History of the Franciscan Mission Lesson Unit 8 Page 3 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission Lesson Unit 8 Contents oyalty and Betrayal: A History of the Franciscan Mission From the Sources Aegidius in Tunis A. Introduction 9. Marie de la Passion 10. William Cardinal Massaia B. Survey 11. St. John of Capistrano C. Information 12. Mary Hancock 13. Augusto Ramirez Monasterio 1. St. Daniel and his Companions 2. Blessed Raymond Llull D. Exercises 3. John of Piano di Carpine 4. Colette of Corbie E. Applications 5. Francisco José de Jaca and Epifanio de Moirans F. Bibliography 6. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen 7. Antonio Caballero G. Picture Credits 8. Placide Tempels Page 4 Lesson Unit 8 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission From the Sources egidius in Tunis At the time when Francis was in Egypt and met the Sultan, Brother Aegidius –the fourth brother who had followed Francis –was in Tunis, where many Christians lived peace- fully together with Muslims. A monk preaches to Christians and Muslims. That changed, however, with the arrival of Brother Aegidius, who appar- ently led a whole group of brothers. He attacked the belief of the Muslims and violated thehonour ofthe prophet Mohammed. Then a man who was venerated as holy among the Muslims called out: "Unbelievers have just come to us. They want to condemn our prophet and the law that we have received from him. I thereforecall upon you to put to the swordthose men who arrived." A great riot broke out. The Christians who lived there realised the danger and feared for their lives. So they forced Aegidius and his companions to go back to the ship in which theyhad come. The broth- ers had no choice. They had to return to Italy without having achieved anything (According to the Life of Brother Aegidius). Page 5 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission Lesson Unit 8 Introduction A oday one regards history with a certain scepticism Is it really worthwhile to take so much trouble written from the viewpoint of the dominant to engage in historical research, in the study of powers, with the tendency to serve their own the history of the Church, of the mission and of justification and glory. This can be proved in the Franciscan movement? The present seems some cases, for the writing of history in general more important, as it is in our hands and we and also for the missionary history. have the responsibility to shape it in a meaning- It is only since the fifties that history-books have ful way. But history belongs to us as a Church been written in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and as a Franciscan family, just as roots belong and these show us the less laudable side of to a tree. Looking at one's own history can in- Franciscan missionary work and also reflect the spire and change the present and the future. It way of thinking and the reactions of the op- is worthwhile to examine in detail how far our pressed. This kind of history writing, too, has a early Brothers and Sisters understood and car- tendency to be one-sided. The time has now ried out the missionary idea of St. Francis. come to present both views in a comprehensive, Until recently, history was experienced, seen and objective and critical form when writing history. An African says: "I was naked, wounded and hungry. I was blind. Yet I lived secure in a social order which you destroyed. Men of Europe, you came as soldiers and Missionaries. You have changed my world. Preachers, you have pointed with lifted finger the way towards enlightenment and at the same time took away with your hand the wives from my side". Page 6 Lesson Unit 8 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission Survey B ranciscan personalities of the past seen from today's point of view With these preliminary remarks in mind we wish 5. Francisco José de Jaca and to present here some Franciscan personalities of Epifanio de Moirans : the past, seen from a critical modern point of Commitment to Justice view, emphasising one typical aspect for each figure. This treatment will be used to heighten 6. St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen our sense of awareness towards the problems Conflict-filled relations with the Protestants we face today. 7. Antonio Caballero: In this way history can inspire and bring life. Dispute over Inculturation Thus the whole exercise can well be a form of 8. Placide Tempels : "history of mission expressed in personalities." Dialogue with Religions These figures whom we wish to describe more closely, and the motives that were guiding them, 9. Marie de la Passion : are the following: Option for the Poor 1. St. Daniel and his Companions : 10. Wilhelm Cardinal Massaia : Yearning for martyrdom Courage to act according to his own pastoral responsibility 2. Blessed Raymond Llull : 11. St. John of Capistrano : Dialogue with Jews and Muslims Concern for the Christian West 3. John of Piano di Carpine : 12. Mary Hancock: Understanding among Peoples The Woman in Politics 4. Colette of Corbie 13. Augusto Ramirez Monasterio : Vocation to reform the Order Martyr for Justice and Peace Information C n the following part we shall introduce women and men who have influenced the history of our mission in a re- markable way. Page 7 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission Lesson Unit 8 1. t. Daniel Sand his Companions: yearning for martyrdom During Francis' lifetime, St. Berard and his compa- canonisation had a political character. It hap- nions were martyred on 16th January, 1220 in pened in a time when Europe was threatened Marrakesh, Morocco. They were canonised in 1481. by the Turks. Daniel and his seven companions moved into According to the missionary ideal of St. Francis the same city in autumn 1227. They preached (cf. Lesson 7) as well as from the point of view belief in Jesus Christ. At the same time, they of the Second Vatican Council (NA), the beha- claimed that the Muslims were excluded from viour of the first Franciscan martyrs towards the salvation and they accused Mohammed of being Muslims is indeed unacceptable. The yearning a false prophet; true salvation could only be found for martyrdom, however, is part of a Franciscan in the Name of Christ. This enraged the people. tradition, perhaps at times also a Franciscan On Sunday, the 10th of October, the brothers temptation. Yearning for martyrdom as a sign were brought before the ruler. There they of unconditional following of Christ even unto showed no remorse but affirmed everything that the death on the cross is one thing, but provok- they had preached. This was in no way excusa- ing people of another faith is something else. We ble for the Muslims. Daniel and his friends were should not seek martyrdom, but be prepared to condemned to death and executed. They were risk our lives for our faith and in promoting jus- canonised almost 300 years later (in 1516). This tice for the oppressed. Muslims execute St. Daniel and his companions. Page 8 Lesson Unit 8 Loyalty and Betrayal: a History of the Franciscan Mission 2. lessed Raymond Llull: Dialogue with Jews and Muslims Just like Francis, Raymond Llull (1232 -1315), a Spaniard close to Francis' way of thinking (his membership in the Secular Franciscan Order is not sure), was dreaming of converting and not subjecting the Saracens. The philosopher Raymond Llull was convinced that the truth of the Christian belief could be proved by logic. He therefore made this appeal: "We must put an end to the material war between Christians and Saracens, because so long as it lasts, neither side can be in those peaceful dialogues which certainly result in the tri- umph of the Cross" (L. Siekeniac). Way ahead of his time, in his book on "The Pagan and the Three Wise Men", he brought together the representa- tives of the three great religions so that they should arrive at a common conviction of faith.