Organizations/Ministries - Secular Franciscan Order National Statutes

Statutes Of The National Fraternity
of the
Secular Franciscan Order
in the
United States Of America

Introduction

We, the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States of America, called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, in order to provide for the life of the Order and specifically for its organization and function, do establish and adopt these Statutes.

Section I

Organization and Structure

Article 1. National Fraternity

The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order of the United States of America (hereafter NAFRA)

is a juridical person[1] made up of he Regional Fraternities of the Secular Franciscan Order[2] existing within the United States;[3]
is animated and guided by the Minister and by a Council which is duly elected;
is organized and functions in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, the Rule, the General Constitutions, the Ritual and the current Statutes of the Secular Franciscan Order. [4]

Article 2. Governing Bodies

The governing bodies of NAFRA are:
a. the National Fraternity Council
b. the National Executive Council
The Conference of National Spiritual Assistants exercises pastoral care and spiritual guidance in regard to NAFRA as one of the integral component parts of the Secular Franciscan Order [5] by suitable means including participation in deliberations of its governing bodies. No Spiritual Assistant at any level, however, shall exercise active voice on any question involving financial matters.

Article 3. National Fraternity Council

The National Fraternity Council is composed of the Regional Ministers; the National Executive Council; the members of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants; and the International Councilor.
a. The International Councilor is elected from professed Secular Franciscans by the National Fraternity Council, and represents NAFRA on the International Council of the OFS in accordance with its Statutes. (S)he is a member of the National Executive Council and has voting rights.
b. At the same time, the National Fraternity Council elects a substitute delegate for the International Councilor should (s)he be prevented from attending the OFS General Chapter. In the event of such impediment, the Presidency of the International Council, OFS will be informed of it and of the substitute delegation by the National Minister of NAFRA.[6]
The business of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order of the United States of America shall be conducted by the National Fraternity Council.
In addition, the National Fraternity Council has legislative, deliberative and elective powers; in conformity with the Rule and the Constitutions, it may make legislative decisions and produce norms valid within its national confines.
The regular meeting of the National Fraternity shall be the annual meeting of the National Fraternity Council convoked by the National Minister, which convocation shall provide for at least two months' notice.
The National Fraternity Council meets for elections every three years; this meeting is convoked by the National Minister at least two months in advance, indicating the place, the day and the time of the election.
If considered necessary by the National Executive Council, or when at least one-third of the Regional Ministers requests it, the National Fraternity Council may meet at other times during any year.
The National Fraternity Council has the following duties:
a. To make known and promote secular Franciscan spirituality and lifestyle in the United States of America;
b. To prepare for the celebration of the national elections, according to these statutes;
c. To search out, identify, publish and distribute materials for formation of Secular Franciscans;
d. To compose Regional Fraternities according to the General Constitutions and these Statutes;
e. To inform appropriate religious Superiors of creation of Regional Fraternities and to seek spiritual assistance for them;
f. To maintain liaison with the Presidency of the International Council OFS;
g. To elect the U. S. representative to the International Council, and to assume responsibility for the expenses necessary to carry out this commission;
h. To set the amount of annual financial contributions to NAFRA from the Regional Fraternities; i. To resolve and clarify inquiries and/or problems that may arise;
j. To provide practical and pastoral interpretation of these statutes where necessary;
k. To consult with the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants as the delegates of the religious Ministers Provincial concerning composition of Regional Fraternities;[7]
l. To approve the composition of Regional Fraternities;
m. To perform such other duties as are set forth in Article 66, Secs. (c), (e), (h), (I), (j), (k), and (l), of the General Constitutions.

Article 4. Structure for Property Control

In accordance with Art. 54 the General Constitutions, NAFRA is incorporated under the laws of the United States of America, State of Ohio, as "The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order - USA" and has its statutory office at 1615 Vine Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45210.
The elected officers of the National Fraternity Council shall function as the officers of the corporation.
At least every three years, at the direction of the National Fraternity Council, a qualified auditor shall be engaged to conduct an audit of the financial status of the corporation.
The financial books and records of the corporation shall be maintained by the National Treasurer and shall be open for inspection upon the order of the National Minister or the National Executive Council or by any member of the National Fraternity Council upon request and prior written notice.
Upon the termination of existence of the corporation, all assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, along with its library and records, shall become the property of the "juridic person immediately superior," Secular Franciscan Order, Rome, Italy.[8]

Article 5. National Executive Council

Between the meetings of the National Fraternity Council, an elected National Executive Council shall carry on the business and carry out the purposes of the National Fraternity in a spirit of ministry and service.
The National Executive Council is composed of the National Minister, the National Vice Minister, the National Secretary, the National Treasurer, at least one elected Councilor, the President of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants, and the International Councilor.
All members of the National Executive Council has voting rights.
Election of the members of the National Executive Council shall proceed in accordance with Section II of this document.
The duties of the National Executive Council are:
a. To coordinate, animate and guide the SFO at the national level;
b. To see that the decisions of the National Fraternity Council are carried out;
c. To clarify specific points in these statutes with validity until the next meeting of the National Fraternity Council;
d. To resolve urgent problems which may arise, that were not encompassed in the Constitutions or Statutes;
e. To intervene to solve serious and urgent problems in a spirit of reconciliation when requested by a Regional Fraternity Council or on its own initiative;
f. To hear appeals from decisions of dismissal from membership rendered by Regional Executive Councils were appropriate;
g. To set up and direct commissions and committees deemed necessary to achieve the goals and objectives determined upon by the National Fraternity Council;
h. At the time of fraternal and pastoral visits, and also on the occasion of their presiding over and witnessing elections, the National Executive Council shall take care to present to CIOFS officers and to delegates of the President of General Spiritual Assistants a stipend appropriate to the journey made and the length of stay required.
i. To administer the financial affairs of NAFRA, including events not foreseen in the annual budget approved at the annual meeting of the National Fraternity Council, such as extraordinary (non-budgeted) expenditures, not to exceed ten per cent (10%) of the annual budget.

Article 6. Duties of Officers of the National Executive Council

The National Minister:
a. To convoke and preside at the meetings of the National Fraternity Council, and to convoke the National Fraternity Council for elections every three years, according to these statutes;
b. To act as legal representative for the corporation of the National Fraternity, "The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order - USA";
c. To make fraternal visitation of the Regional Fraternity Councils, either personally or through a delegate;
d. To approve when necessary extraordinary (non-budgeted) expenditures, not to exceed one per cent (1%) of the annual budget;
e. To perform such other duties as are set forth in Article 67, secs. 1 and 2 (b), (c), (d), (e), and (g) of the General Constitutions.
The National Vice Minister:
a. To substitute for the National Minister when (s)he is legitimately impeded from fulfilling responsibilities.
b. Should the office of National Minister become vacant, the National Vice Minister shall succeed to the office in accordance with the provisions of CNS SFO 81.
The National Secretary:
a. To make and keep records of the National Fraternity Council and of the National Executive Council;
b. To make and distribute the minutes of the meetings of the National Fraternity Council and of the National Executive Council;
c. To give notice of all meetings in accordance with these Statutes;
d. To maintain and supervise the archives of the National Fraternity in accordance with instructions of the National Executive Council;
e. To perform such other duties as the National Executive Council or National Fraternity Council may designate.
The National Treasurer:
a. To keep account of money and retain custody of all property of the National Fraternity unless otherwise determined by the National Fraternity Council;
b. To render such accounts and present such statements to the National Fraternity Council and to the National Executive Council as may be required;
c. To deposit all funds of the National Fraternity which may come into the hands of the National Treasurer into such bank accounts in the name of NAFRA as the National Executive Council shall designate;
d. To pay out money as the business of the National Fraternity may require as approved in the annual budget or on the order of the National Minister or the National Executive Council, all payments to be made by check only;
e. To guard diligently any charitable contributions received, recording each in the appropriate register, with the date on which it was given and the name of the person from whom it was received;
f. To submit an annual budget to the National Executive Council for its review, and to the National Fraternity Council for its approval at the annual meeting.
International Councilor:
a. To participate in deliberations of the National Fraternity Council and of the National Fraternity Council informed concerning worldwide activities of the SFO;
b. To keep the National Executive Council and the National Fraternity Council informed concerning worldwide activities of the SFO;
c. To act as an adviser on international affairs in the Secular Franciscan Order to the National Fraternity Council and the National Executive Council of NAFRA.
d. To present to the National Fraternity Council for its approval the report to be presented to the General Chapter of OFS according to Sec. 7.5 of the International Statutes, OFS.
President of Conference of National Spiritual Assistants:
a. To attend meetings of the National Fraternity Council and of the National Executive Council, of which he is a member by right, collaborating with these bodies in all their activities;
b. In accordance with his role as President, to act collegially with the other National Spiritual Assistants to coordinate spiritual assistance on the national level and to cooperate in the initial and continuing formation of the brothers and sisters;
c. To exercise his active voice [9] in all but financial matters which come before these bodies for decision.

Section II

Voting and Conduct of Business

Article 7. Convocation

The regular meeting of the National Fraternity shall be the annual meeting of the National Council called by the National Minister.
The National Executive Council meets at least twice during the period between annual meetings of the National Fraternity Council.
The National Fraternity Council meets for the purpose of elections once every three years.
The National Fraternity shall celebrate a National Congress at least once every five years, at a time and place determined by the National Executive Council and confirmed by the National Fraternity Council.
The Minister of each Regional Fraternity shall receive at least two months' notice of the place, day and time of the annual National Fraternity Council meeting.

Article 8. Voting Rights

All members of the National Fraternity Council as defined I Article 3, Par. 1 have active voice and may vote.
The Minister of each Regional Fraternity has the primary responsibility for casting the vote of the Regional Fraternity in all elections and on all business which may come before the National Fraternity Council.
In the event a Regional Minister is impeded from attending the National Fraternity Council meeting, then the delegate of the Regional Fraternity shall be the Vice Minister pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, Paragraph 2a. If both Regional Minister and Regional Vice Minister are so impeded, then a member of the Regional Fraternity Council elected by that body shall attend and exercise all of the powers of a delegate for the Regional Fraternity.
No Regional Fraternity may cast more than a single vote on any issue or in any election.
Even if a person has a right to vote in his or her own name by more than one title, such person may cast only one ballot. [10]

Article 9. Quorum; Majority; Counting Ballots; Procedure

No official business may be transacted at a National Fraternity Council or National Executive Council meeting unless a quorum is present. A quorum consists of a majority of the number enrolled as attending the meeting.[11]
A majority, sometimes denominated an absolute majority, is more than half of the total number of votes cast. A relative or simple majority is the highest number of votes cast on a motion or in an election.[12]
Where questions arise concerning procedure which are not covered by the Code of Canon Law, the General Constitutions or the National Statutes, reference may be made to Robert's Rules of Order. The Presiding Officer, after taking advice, retains the power to determine any matter of procedure.

Article 10. Elections

The National Fraternity Council elects the National Minister, the National Vice Minister, the National Secretary, the National Treasurer, at least one Councilor, the International Councilor and a substitute delegate for the International Councilor.[13]
Elections shall take place according to the norms of the law of the Church,[14] of the General Constitutions for the Secular Franciscan Order of 1990, of the Statutes of the International Fraternity, OFS, and of these statutes.
In tallying votes which are conducted by secret written ballot, each elector shall submit one vote. Then all ballots, including blanks, shall be counted to assure the validity of the vote.[15]

Article 11. Convocation and Nominations

At least four months prior to elections, the National Executive Council shall appoint a Chairman for a Nominations Committee which will, acting according to norms established by the National Executive Council, present a slate of nominees for the offices to the members of the National Executive Council. This presentation shall be made approximately two months prior to the date set for the elections.
To be eligible as a candidate for election to office in the National Fraternity, one must be a permanently professed active member in the Secular Franciscan Order, and should be convinced of the validity of the Franciscan evangelical way of life, attentive to a broad and encompassing vision of the life of the Church and of society, open to dialogue and ready to give and receive help and collaboration.[16]
It shall be the duty of the Nominations Committee to ensure that each candidate meets the qualifications for the office which (s)he is proposed, has reviewed the duties of that office, and is willing to serve if elected.
Any individual who is elected to a national office may not hold an elected office at the Regional Fraternity or the Local Fraternity level.
The provisions of Article 76 of the General Constitutions shall be followed for convocation of the National Fraternity Council meeting for the purpose of elections.
a. The National Minister shall in timely fashion contact the Minister General of the Secular Franciscan Order, requesting that (s)he or a delegate preside over forthcoming elections.
b. The National Minister shall in timely fashion contact the President of the Conference of General Spiritual Assistants, requesting that he or a delegate attend forthcoming National Fraternity elections as a witness.

Article 12. Right to Vote at Elections

All of the provisions of Article 8 above apply also to the right to vote at elections.[17]
During those meetings of the National Fraternity at which elections occur, the members of the outgoing and of the incoming National Executive Council, upon election, are members with full rights of the National Fraternity Council until the end of said meeting.[18]

Article 13. Terms of Office

The provisions of Article 79,1 of the General Constitutions shall be followed concerning term of office and third successive term election procedures as to the National Ministers.
The National Councilor(s) are elected for a term of three years.
The International councilor who, according to the Statutes of the International Fraternity, represents NAFRA on the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order, is elected for a term of six years.
For a third successive term for National and International Councilors, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voices of those present is required.

Article 14. Procedure in Voting

The vote shall be taken and completed as to each office before proceeding to the next, commencing with the office of National Minister. Persons not elected to the first office voted upon may be nominated for remaining offices.
Further nominations shall be received from the floor at the elections.
The provisions of Article 72, sec. 4 and Article 78 of the General Constitutions shall be followed as to procedure at the elections of the National Fraternity Council. Supplemental norms may be established by the National Executive Council.

Article 15. Provisions for Vacancies, Resignations, and Removals

The provisions of Article 81 and 83 of the General Constitutions shall govern the procedure to be followed in the event any elected officer resigns or is impeded from performing the duties of the office.
The provisions of Articles 84 of the General Constitutions shall govern the procedure to be followed to secure the removal for cause of the National Minister or members of the National Fraternity Council.
An appeal in writing from any such removal from office may be lodged within thirty days before the Council of the next higher level to that which imposed the sanction; and may also be carried in succession to the other levels of the Order.

Section III

Fraternal Life

Article 16. Fraternity Life

The provisions of Articles 2, 3 and r of the General Constitutions concerning the nature of the vocation to the Secular Franciscan Order apply.
The fraternal life, with its vitality and sustaining force, is meant to exist on the national level as well as on regional and local levels. For this reason, the National Fraternity is so constituted by leadership and structure, vitalized by the participation of its members, and nurtured by ongoing formation and spiritual assistance as to achieve its objective of being a real fraternity; and the same is true for the Regional Fraternity.
The external sign of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States is the TAU Cross.

Article 17. Fraternal and Pastoral Visitations

The provisions of Article 28 of the International Statutes of the Secular Franciscan Order and of Title III, A, 36, B, 41 and C, 47 of the International Statutes for the Spiritual and Pastoral Assistance to the Secular Franciscan Order, shall govern fraternal and pastoral visitations at all levels.
The Fraternities should bear in mind that they are subject to the vigilance of the local Ordinary insofar as they perform their apostolic activities within the local churches.
Secular Franciscans should, therefore, collaborate with their local Ordinaries and follow their directions, inasmuch as they are the moderators of the ministry of the Word and of the Liturgy and the coordinators of the various forms of apostolate in the local church.

Article 18. Local Fraternity

The local fraternity is the primary constituent part of the entire structure of Franciscan life to which the member relates. To the local fraternity the inquirer is initially welcomed. It is here that the seed of interest is developed and nurtured through a year of more of candidacy, until the member is ready for profession. Later the fraternity provides the caring, the opportunity to share, and the hands to grasp in communal prayer as the years of faithful membership deepen and the concept of service develops.
The provisions of Articles 46, sec. 2 and 47, sec. 1 of the General Constitutions shall govern concerning the canonical establishment of new fraternities and the Franciscan family which assumes pastoral care.
In the event a fraternity wishes to pass to the pastoral care of another branch of the Franciscan family, it shall inform the Regional Executive Council of its request. In this connection, it is required that the fraternity submit documents from the religious major superior of its present branch of the Franciscan family, and also from the religious major superior of the branch to which it desires to transfer, agreeing to the change. The Regional Executive Council confers with the Regional Spiritual Assistant of the branch to which the fraternity wishes to transfer, in order to verify that there is available proper spiritual assistance from within the new branch.
Should one or more groups desire to establish permanent sections within a local fraternity based on particular needs or common interests, they may do so on petition of their local Fraternity Council and approval of their Regional Fraternity Council, so long as they continue to participate fully in the local fraternity's fraternal and apostolic life. Such sections remain subject to the local fraternity as constituent parts of it, and their members are bound to attend general meetings of the local fraternity and to contribute to the support of that fraternity, independent of the needs of the common interest sections. Precise norms for establishment and function of such groups shall be set forth in the NAFRA Norms for Formation. Included among such norms shall be the right of the sections to establish norms governing their meetings and activities, which shall in all cases be supplementary to but not alternative to meetings of the local fraternity as a whole.
Provisions set forth in these Statutes for NAFRA administration shall be used as a model for elections, conduct of business, structures for control of property, composition and duties of the Fraternity Minister and of the Fraternity Council, replacement of officers who are unable to continue in office, and similar business of the local fraternity. Appropriate budgets and annual reports should be published to the members of the fraternity.
The local fraternity is responsible for contributing to the Regional Fraternity on a fair share basis from its common fund to underwrite the cost of that fraternity.
At the time of fraternal and pastoral visits, and also on the occasion of their presiding and witnessing elections, the Fraternity Executive Council shall take care to present to Regional Officers and to delegates of the President of the Regional Conference of Spiritual Assistants a stipend appropriate to the journey made and the length of stay required.
It is at the local level that activities have their greatest meaning to our members. The local fraternity council should expend great care to provide for thought-provoking activities and programs to foster Franciscan life and to deepen Franciscan spirituality among fraternity members.
As members become unable to attend meetings on a regular basis, the Council should set up a method by which regular contacts are maintained.

Article 19. Initial Formation

The minimum age for perpetual profession as a Secular Franciscan in the United States is twenty-one years. The minimum age for temporary profession is eighteen years.
The period of inquiry shall consist of not less than six months.
The period of candidacy shall consist of not less than twelve (12) months and not more than thirty-six (36) months.
The governance of the process of formation in the United States will be conducted according to norms established by the National Fraternity Council.

Article 20. Transfer, Withdrawal, Suspension and Dismissal from the Fraternity and from the Order

The provisions set forth in Articles 55 through 59 of the General Constitutions shall constitute the manner and means for transfer, withdrawal, suspension and dismissal from the fraternity and from the Order.

Article 21. Regional Fraternity

The Regional Fraternities of the Secular Franciscan Order within the United States of America

are each composed as Regional Fraternities by the National Fraternity Council of NAFRA in accordance with the General Constitutions and the National Statues.
are each juridical persons made up of an organic union of all local fraternities which have been integrated within a specifically delineated geographical or pastoral common area according to the determination of the National Fraternity Council of NAFRA.
are animated and guided by a Regional Fraternity Minister and by a Regional Fraternity Council which are duly elected;
are organized and function in conformity with the Rule the General Constitutions, the Ritual, and these Statutes.
have power to enact individual norms, so long as they do not conflict with the authorities set out in No. 4 above.
Each has its own seat, the location of which is within its power to determine.
The National Fraternity Council shall confer with the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants, to inform them of the composition of each Regional Fraternity as it occurs, and to seek appropriate spiritual assistance.
The governing bodies of each Regional Fraternity are:
a. The Regional Fraternity Council
b. The Regional Executive Council.
The Conference of Regional Spiritual Assistants exercises pastoral care and spiritual guidance in regard to each Regional Fraternity as an integral component part of NAFRA and of the Secular Franciscan Order, by the same means and manner as does the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants in regard to NAFRA.
Regional Fraternity Council

The Regional Fraternity Council is composed of the Ministers of the local fraternities which together form the Regional Fraternity; the members of the Regional Executive Council; and the Regional Spiritual Assistants, each of whom has active voice. The immediate past Minister of the Regional Fraternity may be invited by the Regional Fraternity Council participate in its deliberations.
The regional Fraternity Council is the representative organ of all of the fraternities which together compose the Regional Fraternity, and has the power to create regional norms in conformity with the Rule, the General Constitutions, and these Statutes; and any such norms will be valid within its assigned territory.
The Regional Fraternity Council shall meet at least once a year. Every third year the Regional Fraternity Council shall conduct its elections in accord with the applicable law.
The Regional Fraternity Council has the duties set forth in Article 62 of the General Constitutions.
The Regional Minister has the duties set forth in Article 63 of the General Constitutions.
Regional Executive Council. The Regional Executive Council is composed of the following voting members: the Regional Minister, the Regional Vice Minister, the Regional Secretary, the Regional Treasurer, at least one elected Councilor, (prior to each elective chapter the Regional Fraternity Council will recommend the number of these additional Councilors and the specific need for adding them and propose these criteria to the Chapter itself), and the President of the Conference of Regional Spiritual Assistants, if that be the case. The Regional Executive Council shall meet at least twice a year, at times and places to be determined by its members. Written notice of meetings shall be given by the Regional Minister at least one month in advance. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Regional Minister or by written request of two or more members, and written notice is waived by the members' presence at any emergency session.
Duties of Officers. The duties of the Regional Vice Minister, Secretary, and Treasurer shall follow the model set forth in that portion of these Statutes which deals with the National Fraternity insofar as it may be adapted to the needs and circumstances of the Regional Fraternity. Each Regional Fraternity shall follow the model set forth in that portion of these Statutes which deals with the National Fraternity in connection with policies and procedures to be followed in the event of resignation or removal from office on the part of any elected Officer.
Structure for Property Control. The provisions relating to property control which appear in these Statutes in the section dealing with the responsibilities of the National Fraternity shall apply to the Regional Fraternities insofar as they may be adapted to the needs and circumstances of the Regional Fraternity. An audit shall be performed at least every three years of the boos of the Regional Fraternity by two professed members appointed by the Regional Fraternity Council who are not then currently serving on said Executive Council, with due emphasis on the selection of persons having proper competence. Particular note should be taken that expenses of the Regional Fraternity Minister and members of the Regional Executive Council, including those members who have been appointed but serve without vote, shall be borne by the Regional Fraternity for their attendance at all meetings. The Regional Fraternity is responsible for contributing to the National Fraternity on a fair share basis from its common fund to underwrite the cost of that fraternity.
Fraternal and Pastoral Visits
a. Each Regional Executive Council shall make its requests of the National Minister and of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants for its fraternal and pastoral visits at least every three years.
b. At the time of fraternal and pastoral visits, and also on the occasion of their presiding and witnessing elections, the Regional Executive Council shall take care to present to NAFRA officers and to delegates of the President of the National Conference of Spiritual Assistants a stipend appropriate to the journey made and the length of stay required.

Article 22. Amendments. Interpretation of Statutes

These Statutes may be amended by two-thirds vote of the National Fraternity Council.
All such amendments are subject to the approval of International Presidency.
Interpretation of these Statutes shall follow the rules of canon law, civil law where applicable, and may have recourse to Robert's Rule of Order in regard to procedural matters, with the understanding that in the event of any dispute the most cogent resource is prayerful consideration of our Father and founder Francis, that most courteous and peace-loving man, and his probable point of view.

Addendum:

Wherever there appears in the above Statutes the word "Region" or "Regional," and so long as any Provinces remain in the organization of NAFRA, the word may also read to mean "Province" or "Provincial." This provision shall lapse and cease to be applicable when the last Province shall cease to exist in NAFRA.

Attested as Approved October 20, 1994 by National Chapter NAFRA and as Amended by CIOFS July 8, 1995.

Signed: Richard Morton, SFO Minister

Signed: William Wicks, SFO Secretary

Endnotes

[1] Juridical persons are defined and discussed in Title VI, Chapter II, of the Code of Canon Law, 1983 (hereafter CCL).

Can. 116 S1. Public juridical persons are aggregates of persons or of things which are established by the competent ecclesiastical authority so that, within the limits allotted to them in the name of the Church, and in accordance with the provisions of law, they might fulfill the specific task entrusted them for the public good.

Can. 117. No aggregate of persons or of things seeking juridical personality can acquire it unless its statutes are approved by the competent authority.

[2] Legal title for the International body is Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis. (OFS)

[3] Rule 2; General Constitutions of the Secular Franciscan Order, 1990 (hereafter CNS SFO) 1,5; CCL, cc. 210, 214, 303.

[4]CNS SFO, Art. 4

[5] Legal title: Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis

[6]Statutes of the International Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (hereafter STATS SFO), Art. 22.2

[7] General Constitutions, Art. 86.1, 88

[8] CCL Can. 123; again, legal title, Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis.

[9] Active voice is the right to vote (vox active). Passive voice is the right to be voted upon (vox passiva ), that is the eligibility to be elected.

[10] CCL, Can . 168.

[11] Robert's Rules of Order, S64.

[12] CCL, Can. 119.

[13] STATS SFO, Art. 22.2

[14] CCL, Can. 164-179.

[15] CCL, Can. 173,2.

[16] CNS SFO, Art. 31,3.

[17] Refer to Footnote 9 for definition of active and passive voice.

[18] CNS SFO, Art. 79, 3.

For more information on the USA National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, visit their home page at http://ls.american.edu/catholic/franciscan/nafra.