GLOBALIZATION AND CAPUCHINS
Two year ago we concluded our 83rd
General Chapter at Rome and the themes discussed had a scent of globalization
and its effects on us as Capuchins. our Father and Founder St. Francis of Assisi who had a globalized
face because he welcomed all creatures into his fraternity of brothers and
sisters. Today he is a globalized saint who has been accepted by all for his
openness and simplicity in relating to all as brothers and sisters. As
Capuchins we are living in a globalized world and we have seen that our world
is no longer the same. It is interconnected and interdependent. Globalization
has changed many things in our human lives by the revolution of technology and
communication. The word ‘globalization’ is a
word heard in everyone’s mouth these days, but what are we to understand by
‘globalization’? ‘Globalization can be defined as the ongoing process of
worldwide integration in the world of work. It is therefore primarily an
economic phenomenon, but one that is extending its influence into all areas of
human life, into politics, into society, into the world of science and into
cultural life.
We need to look at our Capuchin vocation in
such a globalized world and examine this globalized world with its positive and
negative aspects. As Capuchins with our own spirituality, can we contribute to
making our communities and Indian society a better place while we live in this
global village?There are many positive aspects of Globalisation, it has helped to create jobs and
improve income; it has provided the disadvantaged and deprived fragment of
society with hope. It has accelerated social mobility; it has made it possible
for members of different communities, countries, cultures and religions to meet
and know one another. It has advanced communication and information
technologies; communication is becoming easier and cheaper. It has assisted in the dissemination
of knowledge. It has made it possible for human beings to demonstrate sympathy
and compassion for the victims of natural calamities and human-made tragedies
thousands of kilometres away.
There also some Negative aspects: It is largely responsible for the
rapidly increasing environmental degradation. It has contributed to uneven
development at the global level. In this
process many important human values are neglected like the equitable
distribution of food, water and electricity for the rural poor and proper
sanitation for the urban poor.
Globalisation has popularised a consumer
culture and the consumer becomes addicted to shopping to the point where the
spiritual, moral and intellectual dimensions of his/her personality do not grow
and develop, with the worth of a person being measured in terms of his/her
material possessions.
As Capuchins we know that we are struggling to
find a way that will help us to live in a better way our commitment in this
globalized world. We need to cultivate a consciousness in ourselves through
relationship to Christ and to the other.
We can find examples of this in the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He
developed a global consciousness through conformity to the Crucified Christ;
Francis transcended the boundaries of culture and tradition and found God
precisely in the other who was different from him. As Capuchins in Maharashtra,
what we can offer our society today is to witness by our life and ministry to
those who are affected by globalization.
Eight hundred years ago, St. Francis identified with every living
creature as an intimate member of his family.
He was able to call all creatures, his brothers and sisters,
acknowledging that all are of the same family of God.
As Franciscans Capuchins we need to look for
the causes of present injustices and violence and search for solutions in view
of changing the present situation. We need to remind once more ourselves of the
preferential option for the poor.
As poor Capuchins we to need to develop a critical thinking with regard
to the mass media and its use in our personal and communitarian life. We should
resist the consumer culture and promote among ourselves and others the value of
enough. As Capuchins we have a responsibility to build peace and make peace; to
be mediators in conflict situations; to promote dialogue and reconciliation
between opposing parties and groups. Educational institutions in our vice
province need to re-orientate the educational system in our schools in view of
promoting value education and a culture of peace. In and around our parishes,
friaries and missions we need to create awareness among others, that
respectable work and a decent salary are integral to human rights.
Our vOrder is blessed with vocations
from different communities and cultures as brothers we need to appreciate and
promote cultural diversity. The negative influence of globalization should not
allow us to develop “Ghetto mentality” among ourselves. Most of our parishes
are vibrant but we need to rethink the contents of pastoral work, catechesis,
and education but should never compromise with honesty, truth, and
transparency.
As you
are reading this without exaggeration that many people will die of
starvation. Many will die today from preventable, waterborne diseases and over
the next few minutes good number of children under the age of 15 will become
infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Globalization is having profound
effects on everyone’s lives. It’s being formed constantly in new and deeper and
wonderful ways. At the same time we have the bad news. Political instability,
food insecurity, poverty and disease still plague the poorest countries in the
world. Though the suffering of millions is great but globalization can motivate
you, me and others to make a difference in the lives of the world’s most
vulnerable people.
We capuchins, are committed to the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and we are called to serve
the poor and marginalized. Our Capuchin vision of compassion and service to others can change
many things in and around us.
St. Francis and St. Clare re-imaged Religious
Life and the vows: they proclaimed poverty as a privilege and as justice,
chastity as tenderness and compassion, obedience as minority and humility. St.
Francis gave up the world, which was secular; however, he never left society,
and rather wanted to be with and in society to transform. Moreover, he wanted
to offer himself for the world. He left
the world behind in order to live more freely in the world. So our goal and aim
in the vice province should be to promote peace, to have a preferential option
for the poor and concern for creation.
We are being called to renew our missionary and
Franciscan vocation, to promote the Kingdom by globalising the Kingdom of God
and the Franciscan values of justice, peace and joy.
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