| THE FRANCISCAN CENTRE FOR PEACE AND DIALOGUE (FCPD) |
| The Franciscan Centre for Peace and Dialogue (FCPD) of the Conventual Friars of India was established on March 8, 1994 and inaugurated on September 1,1994. As followers of St. Francis of Assisi “Known and revered by many throughout the world as a symbol of Peace, Reconciliation and Brotherhood” (John Paul 11 27\X/86), we want to commit ourselves to be instruments of peace and walk alongside those “Persecuted for the sake of Justice” (Mt.5:10). |
| OBJECTIVES |
- To raise awareness and deepening the understanding of current issues of justice, peace and ecology.
- To promote and express solidarity with those who request helping situation of injustice.
- To promote and defend Human Life.
- To promote ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue
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| GOALS |
- To conduct the ASSISI ANNUAL LECTURE in view of concentizing on current social issues, justice peace and ecology.
- To organize and present annually ‘THE SPIRIT OF ASSISI NATIONAL AWARD’ :The purpose of the award is to give public recognition to persons or institutions working for inter-religious harmony, safeguarding of creation, peace, justice and dignity of human life.
- To organize the SARVA MATHA SHANTHI GHOSH – All Religions Peace Festival in view of propagating the principles of the FCPD among the school students.
- To organize the INTER-FAITH SAT-SANG. This Sat-Sang is meant to bring people of all religions under a roof to pray for inter-religious harmony and share one another’s religious experience.
- To plan and organize any other inter-religious activities that may come under the Spirit of Assisi.
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| THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE FCPD |
1. THE SPIRIT OF ASSISI NATIONAL AWARD |
The Spirit of Assisi National Award is instituted by the Franciscan Centre for Peace and Dialogue (FCPD) with its office at Assisi Shanthi Kendra, Karukutty, Kerala, India. It is an activity of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual who are the guardians of the Tomb and the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, “Known and revealed by many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood” (John Paul II, 27-10-1986). The FCPD is committed to work for peace and walk alongside those “persecuted for the sake of justice” (Mt. 5:10).
The Award is motivated by the “Spirit of Assisi” that entered the world on October 27, 1986 when the most notable representatives of many of today’s world religions joined Pope John Paul II at the city of St. Francis to pray together for peace. The “Spirit of Assisi” invites us to purify ourselves of prejudice, hatred, jealousy and envy. It invites us to strive to be workers of peace in though and deed with our minds and hearts turned toward the unity of the human family. This “Spirit” invites us to follow the example of St. Francis who embraced the leper, who made himself poor and minor, who sent his friars to announce peace to the world, who pacified the wolf of Gubbio, who met the Sultan of Egypt and who sang the marvels of creation.
The Spirit of Assisi National Award is established to give public recognition and encouragement to any person or institution in India who is contributing peace, justice, ecology, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue and defense of human life. It consists of a memento a citation and twenty five thousand rupees. |
| RECIPIENTS OF THE SPIRIT OF ASSISI NATIONAL AWARD |
| 1995: |
Mr. Jacob Vadakkencherry |
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For his contribution to social justice in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi.
Award was conferred by Mr. M.M. Jacob, Governor of Meghalaya. |
| 1996: |
Mr. D. Pankajaksha Kurup |
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For his contribution to create the “Neighbourhood Community Experiment” based on brotherhood, harmony, mutual understanding and community building in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Dr. M.M. Thomas, former Governor of Nagaland and Ex-President of the World Council of Churches. |
| 1997: |
Henry Martin Institute of Islamic Studies (H.M.I.) |
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For its contribution to inter-religious dialogue by improving relationships between people of different faiths and encouraging a respectful understanding of Islam in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through reconciliation and brotherhood.
Award was conferred by Most Rev. Augustino Gardin OFMConv., 117th Minister General of the Order in succession to St. Francis of Assisi. |
| 1998: |
Mr. Sarvodayam Kurian |
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For his contribution to defend and promote human life through his selfless service to the poor, the sick and the afflicted after the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Hon’ble Justice Om Prakash, Chief Justice of Kerala High Court. |
| 1999: |
Mr. P.U. Thomas |
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For his contribution to promote human life in rehabilitating the mentally sick and feeding the hungry after the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Hon’ble Justice P.C. Balakrishnamenon, Lokayuktha, Kerala |
| 2000: |
Fr. Albert Nambiaparambil CMI |
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For his contribution to promote inter-religious dialogue after the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Hon’ble Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, former Judge, Supreme Court. |
| 2001: |
D. Ramachandra Potty |
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For his contribution to promote the value of peace and humanism in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi.
Award was conferred by Sri. A.K. Antony, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala |
| 2002: |
Prison Ministry India |
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For its contribution to the upliftment of the suffering brethren behind bars in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Justice K.T. Thomas, Retired Justice of Supreme Court. |
| 2003: |
Capuchin Social and Development Action Service Society (CAPS+DASS) |
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For its contribution to the upliftment of the weker sections of society, particularly in providing shelter for the AIDS patients where they could die surrounded by love and self respect in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Padmabhushan Dr. K.J. Yesudas, world famous singer. |
| 2004: |
Ms. Sugathakumari (Environmentalist and Poetress) |
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For her contribution to the preservation of mother nature and for her relentless efforts towards the welfare of the poor in the true spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Award was conferred by Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhi, Archbishop of Thrissur |
| 2005: |
Dr. Mahadevan and Mrs. Meenakshi |
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For their selfless service to others and their selflessness has brought joy to thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Award was conferred by Hon’ble Justice Kurian Joseph, High Court of Kerala. |
| 2. SARVA MATHA SHANTI GHOSH |
| Sarva Matha Shanthi Ghosh is a programme conducted among school children up to higher secondary course which include competitions like poem reciting, rhetoric, essay writing etc. conducted on selected themes mainly on peace and harmony among various religions. Thus, FCPD organizes Sarva Matha Shanthi Ghosh as one of its means to reach its objectives. By this festival we have been connecting various schools to one another which are run by Christians, Muslims and Hindus, the three major religions in Kerala. The students and teachers of various schools spend a day together and become known to each other. This very act adds colours and wipes away doubts and misunderstandings about each others religion. Thus, this very simple activity is sufficient enough to create a sense of belongingness in them though they practice different religion. |
| 3. ASSISI ANNUAL LECTURE |
| The FCPD organizes every year a lecture on the contemporary issues of the time. The focus of these lectures are mainly to create an awareness about the problematic issues of the society among the youth. |
| 4. INTER-FAITH SAT-SANG |
| As an activity of the FCPD, the Inter-faith Sat-sang in the Spirit of Assisi was started as one of its yearly programme on January 24, 2002 to mark the 'day of prayer for peace at Assisi' called by Pope John Paul II. With Inter-faith Sat-sang, the Centre is trying to bring together persons from various religions to spend a day together praying for peace and harmony among various religions. |
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