National Council Composition Clarification

Summary

The International Statute of the Secular Franciscan Order provides a framework for National Fraternities, allowing for adaptations in their National Statutes. While the International Statute specifies certain members-by-right, such as National Spiritual Assistants and the National representative of YouFra, it allows flexibility for National Fraternities to include additional members like Regional Ministers if reflected in their National Statutes. If the National Statute includes Regional Ministers as members of the National Council, they do not need to be removed unless the National Statute is amended. The International Statute is binding but permits specific adaptations to address the unique needs of each National Fraternity.

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I kindly ask you to study the document. Please verify whether the International Statute attached is binding for the National Fraternities, and comment on the section of the International Statute which states: “The National Council is composed in accordance with what is established in the National Statutes. If it is necessary for the life of the National Fraternity, the National Elective Chapter may elect other Councillors, in addition to those expressly indicated in the National Statute, to whom it assigns specific responsibilities. *) If the International Councillor is not the National Minister, according to the National Statute, he/she must be elected in a special ballot. *) The following are members-by-right of the National Council: a) the National Spiritual Assistant or National Spiritual Assistants (if there are more than one); b) the National representative of YouFra.”
Yes, the International Statute is binding for the National Fraternities. It guides their organization and operation while allowing for specific adaptations according to their National Statutes. The section you mentioned allows the National Elective Chapter to elect additional Councillors as needed and specifies that the International Councillor must be elected via a special ballot if not the National Minister. Members-by-right include National Spiritual Assistants and the National representative of YouFra.
According to the National Statute, the Regional Ministers are not elected at the National Chapter, but until now they have been members of the National Council automatically, by right.
The International Statute of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) provides a framework that National Fraternities are expected to follow, but it allows for adaptations in the National Statutes to address specific needs. According to the International Statute, the composition of the National Council should align with the National Statutes, allowing for flexibility to elect other councillors if needed. Members-by-right include the National Spiritual Assistants and the representative of YouFra. This means that while Regional Ministers have been automatic members of the National Council, this status should be reflected in the National Statutes and can be subject to changes based on the specific provisions of the National Fraternity.
Do we have to remove the Regional Ministers from the National Council, considering that the International Statute states: “*) The following are members-by-right of the National Council: a) the National Spiritual Assistant or National Spiritual Assistants (if there are more than one); b) the National representative of YouFra.” This means that the Regional Ministers are not included there.
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The International Statute provides a framework but allows each National Fraternity to adapt its National Statutes based on specific needs. If the National Statute includes Regional Ministers as members of the National Council, they do not need to be removed unless the National Statute is amended to align differently with the International Statute.
Are you sure? Do you mean that the International Statute is not binding for the National Fraternity, given that it explicitly states who can be members by right?
Case Rating: *
The International Statute provides a framework for the Secular Franciscan Order, which National Fraternities are expected to follow. However, it allows for specific adaptations in the National Statutes based on their unique needs. If the National Statute includes Regional Ministers as members-by-right of the National Council, they can remain unless the National Statute is amended. Would you like to know more about the amendment process?