CONSTITUTIONS

OF THE LITTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF AFRICA

0.     PREFACE

0.1.1.           Jesus, the only Son of God, came into the world to save every tribe and to walk together each and every person in the journey of life.

0.1.2.           He came to enlighten the culture, which we inherited from our ancestors, so that we can see how it leads to him, the new Adam.

0.1.3.           He came to gather us through his Spirit of love, who makes us the family of God the Father, his own little brothers and sisters who defeated fears and ill humour among them, an example of the Holy Trinity, i.e. perfect unity of different persons, in which all languages would gather to proclaim the marvels which our almighty God has done to us.

0.2.1.           By his love he wanted Africa to be his second homeland, where he would grow safe during his childhood and he would be more and more African through the members of his body.

0.2.2.           The Church of our continent, after had been done the great by him and flourish by efforts and blood of our elders in faith, now she has the responsibility to spread the salvation up to the ends of the world, without been satisfied with fulfilling the needs of her dioceses only.

0.2.3.           After the Vatican II Ecumenical Council, Holy Spirit in the first Synod of Africa has told that Church how he wants her to show herself the family of God and to preach Good News of Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life of African person and anyone in the world.

0.2.4.           The years of two thousand, which are a unique chance to bring the Gospel to all people, are also her right time.

0.2.5.           Even if many Africans are still left behind politically and economically, their culture of life and solidarity is highly needed by the whole world.

0.3.1.           Saint Francis of Assisi bore witness to Christ with humility and courage in front of Muslims in our continent, aspiring to shed his blood for persons who didn’t know him.

0.3.2.           His example and his God-given charisma, which has two characteristics i.e. brotherhood and littleness, are useful to contribute in fulfilling that Synod’s declarations.

0.4.1.           We, Little Brothers and Sisters of Africa, bearing in mind these all feel the vocation to fulfil that charisma in the real environment of Africa, by keeping, flourishing and spreading the values of its culture which correspond to the Gospel.

0.4.2.           Hence we hope that the power of God, which reveals itself in human weakness, will use us for the growth of the whole Church, which depends on and leads to the holiness, that is to share totally the life of God.

0.5.1.           Our Franciscan missionary Order has its headquarters in Morogoro, where the diocesan bishop Telesphore Mkude, in his efforts to spread the Gospel, has instituted it as a public association of faithful according to the canon 312 CIC.

0.5.2.           It is on bishop of that diocese to make close follow up on that charisma so that he can suggest it to be recognised as a new form of consecrated life, according to the canon 605 CIC, or that he can dissolve it for grave reasons.

0.6.1.           It is he who has approved these Constitutions so that they can help us to follow Jesus and to fulfil the will of God for us.

0.6.2.           They concern directly us, who have promised chastity, poverty and obedience to live in community the Gospel in different fraternities of brothers or sisters.

0.6.3.           Are true members of the association also diocesan clergymen, laymen and women, singles as well married people, who after have been formed appropriately live in the world near one of such communities, sharing its spiritual and apostolic life according to the Rule and the Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order like other members of that pontifical Order.

0.7.1.           These Constitutions have only the things of our charisma and regulations, which are not expected to be modified.

0.7.2.           Even so we should keep asking God’s light and benefiting our experiences so that we can better understand what he wants from us, bearing in mind the following of Christ according to the Gospel, the Franciscan spiritual heritage, the priorities of the Church and the needs of the world, in putting always forward the progress of our souls and the salvation of the human persons.

0.8.1.           The bishop of Morogoro can approve the amendments of these Constitutions which have been passed by two third of the Chapter votes, if they are really demanded so that we can persist to build on the same basis.

0.8.2.           It’s better to leave if there isn’t such need, because amendments makes the law grows less strong, and small changes prompt large ones, until the nature of the Order changes and causes its infertility.

0.9.1.           In order to be blessed in fulfilling what we have been shown, let’s make efforts so that the real aspect of the Order would resemble the picture which has been drawn in these Constitutions that God has given us through his Church.

0.9.2.           The general chapter can approve bylaws for the whole Order, modify them where necessary, provided they are conform to the Rule and these Constitutions.

0.9.3.           The general council can approve special ordinances, which deal with some brothers, sisters or communities, according to their needs and environment.

0.9.4.           However let’s confide on the faithfulness of every one of us more than many laws and the efforts of servants and guardians.

0.10.1.        If any problem occurs concerning the execution of some parts of these Constitutions, the general council can decide what to be done, however the assembly of the association would give official interpretation by permission of the bishop of Morogoro.

0.11.1.        It is on the bishop of the concerned diocese to dispense brothers and sisters from the fulfilling some parts of the Rule at special time.

0.11.2.        If there is a sufficient reason, servants and guardians also can dispense the brothers or sisters who are under their cure, those who are there temporary and the whole community, except about what concern the structure of our Order and the core of our way of life; moreover, if permanent permission is needed, only the servant can concede it.

0.11.3.        The one who has received a dispensation would make more efforts in other things, which he/she can, knowing that the facility of permissions eliminates quickly the fond of perfection.

0.12.1.        In a special way we should be aware of temptation to see a certain must of these Constitutions to be too difficult, or to fail to fulfil it purposely or carelessly.

0.12.2.        We should believe that the salvation comes from the foolishness of the cross, and then we should experience that any burden is light if it is carried in the sake of the beloved Jesus in order to cling to him.

(Translation in progress)