Franciscan Action Network

Our Mission Statement:

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.

Our Vision Statement:

The Franciscan Action Network sees the interconnectedness of all creation and the common origin of humanity as rooted in God’s loving design for the earth and all people. Recognizing this fundamental goodness of God through the act of creation, FAN counters the social sinfulness that persistently compromises God’s hopes, through a clarion call to conversion. It is through continual conversion that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor can be heard in their authenticity and understood in a way that leads us to re-discover our original goodness, both personally and collectively. Through this process of continual conversion we discover ourselves as co-creators, with God and others, thereby realizing a world where people and plant cherish a common inherent dignity, encourage social goodness, and live in just prosperity.

History of FAN:

The original idea for the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) came as a result of a challenge by Franciscans International (FI) and the representatives of each of the six different branches of the Franciscan family. Located in Rome, this entity is referred to as the “Roman VI.” FI and the Roman VI saw that a great deal of the work they did at the UN and in Rome was affected by what happened in the United States. They called for all of the different branches of the Franciscan families to come together and present a unified Franciscan voice in Washington DC. One of the early leaders was Sister Margaret Mary Kimmins, an Allegany Franciscan sister, Margaret Mary had served on the board of Franciscans International and she also worked as director of faith outreach at Bread for the World. She had a unique perspective on the connection between what happens in Washington and what happens at the UN. Margaret Mary along with Russ Testa, who was the JPIC director for the Holy Name Province of the OFM, Brother Tino Arias, OFM Capuchin from the Province of St. Mary’s, and Tom Bello the National Minister of the Secular Franciscans formed a steering committee.

In the fall of 2007, there was a gathering in Baltimore of approximately 150 Franciscans from across the country representing all the different branches of the Franciscan Family, including leaders from all three orders as well as leaders from the Episcopal Franciscans and the Ecumenical Franciscans. As a result of this retreat, there emerged the goal for a new collective identity, one that would be responsive to today’s social crises. At this gathering the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) was created. Built to “faithfully represent our steering committee, our Franciscan institutional members and our many new individual members—both religious and secular—in one way: the propagation of a restorative course of action for our culture through intelligent advocacy. This civic action we call advocacy is rooted in the spiritual strength of an eight hundred year old faith tradition that obligates us.” The years 2008-2009 were primarily used to organize FAN. An advisory/action committee was created with representatives from all branches of the Franciscan family and all geographic regions. Bylaws and Articles of incorporation were written, a board of directors was established and FAN received its 501 (C) (3) status. Russ served as intern director until a permanent director could be hired. Father Larry Janezic was hired in 2009. In 2010, Patrick Carolan came on board as the executive director and still holds that position. Margaret Mary served as the first president of the board until 2013 when she stepped down and was replaced by fellow Allegany Franciscan Sister Margaret Magee.

Since the early days, FAN has grown into a well-established organization in Washington, DC. Recognized as a lead organization on several issues, FAN has expanded our staff to include directors of advocacy and campaigns as well as retaining an office manager and communications coordinator. Membership has expanded to 50 member institutions. With their support, along with various grants and other outside funding, we continue to build our advocacy efforts within our core issues as established at our founding. By partnering with other organizations, we have become a dependable Franciscan voice for justice both in D.C. and beyond.