Structure of the Secular Franciscan Order
The Secular Franciscan Order is divided into Fraternities of various levels: local, regional, national, and international. Each of these Fraternities is animated and guided by its Council and a Minister.
The Local Fraternity
The Local Fraternity is “the basic unit of the whole Order and is a visible sign of the Church, the community of love. This should be the privileged place for developing a sense of Church, Franciscan vocation, and for enlivening the apostolic life of its members.“ (Rule Article 22)
“The fraternity offers to its members opportunities for coming together and collaborating through meetings to be held with as great as frequency as allowed by the situation and with the involvement of all its members.“ (Constitution 53.1)
“The council of the local fraternity is composed of the following offices: minister, vice-minister, secretary, treasurer, and master of formation. Other offices may be added according to the needs of each fraternity. The spiritual assistant of the fraternity forms part of the council by right.“ (Constitutions 49.1-2)
The Regional Fraternity
The Regional Fraternity “assures the link between the Local fraternities and the National Fraternity.“ The Regional Fraternity is animated and guided by a Minister and by a Council who are duly elected.“ (Constitutions 61.3)
The National Fraternity
“The National Fraternity is the organic union of local Fraternities existing within the territory of States or of national entities.“ The National Fraternity is animated and guided by a Minister and a Council who are duly elected.“ (Constitutions 65.1)
The International Fraternity
“The international Fraternity is constituted by the organic union of all the Catholic Secular Franciscan Fraternities in the world.“ (Constitutions 69.1) “The International Fraternity is guided and animated by the Minister with the International Council (CIOFS) that has its seat in Rome (Italy).“ (Constitutions 69.2) The International Council meets in the Secular Franciscan Order General Chapter with legislative, deliberative, and elective powers.“ (Constitutions, 70.3)
CIOFS Presidency
“The Presidency of the International Council Secular Franciscan Order is constituted within the International Council of which it forms an integral part.“ (Constitutions 70.2) “The duties and tasks of the Presidency are…to coordinate, animate, and guide the Secular Franciscan Order at the international level…to attend to the resolution of urgent problems.“ (Constitutions 73)