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On Nov. 19 in the Villanova Room, Connelly Center, Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M. gave a lecture on Franciscanism: The Man, the Movement, and the Movement. Rohr describes Francis as “The last authentic religious genius.” Francis sought to change the Roman Catholic community, but he chose not to attack it head on. Instead, Francis thought he would show the Roman Catholic Church its mistakes through his simple lifestyle. Francis hoped by leading a good example, he would be able to change the politics in Rome.

Rohr defined Franciscanism as “Lifestyle as opposed to doctrines, dogmas, and religious theories.” He explained how it is always easier to believe in something, such as the infallibility of the Pope, but believing in something does not transform the world. The world can only be transformed through changes in lifestyle, such as the way Francis chose to lead his life. Francis stressed that nobody can ride on the experiences of the previous generation. On his deathbed, Francis explained, “I did what I was supposed to do, now you go and do what is yours to do.”

According to Rohr, the genius of Francis lies in doing something better than it was before. He was able to do things better quietly, humbly, and joyfully without talking about it or making other people feel bad about themselves. The entire world came running after his lifestyle because they did not understand what Francis had that everybody else did not.
Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan of the New Mexico Province. He was the founder of the New Jerusalem Community in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1971, and the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1986, where he presently serves as Founding Director.

Fr. Rohr was born in 1943 in Kansas. He entered the Franciscans in 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He received his Master's Degree in Theology from Dayton that same year. He now lives in a hermitage behind his Franciscan community in Albuquerque, and divides his time between local work, and preaching and teaching on all continents. He considers the proclamation of the Gospel to be his primary call, and uses many different platforms to communicate that message. Scripture studies, the integration of action and contemplation, community building, peace and justice issues, male spirituality, the enneagram, and eco-spirituality would all be themes that he addresses in service of the Gospel.

He is probably best known for his numerous audio and video tapes, and through the Center's newsletter, Radical Grace. He is a regular contributing editor/writer for Sojourners magazine and recently published a 7-part Lenten Series for the National Catholic Reporter. His best known books are Simplicity, The Wild Man's Journey, Quest for the Grail, Everything Belongs, and Job and the Mystery of Suffering. His best selling tapes are the tape overview called The New Great Themes of Scripture. His latest books are Hope Against Darkness, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press, and The Enneagram, A Christian Perspective published by Crossroad Press. He hopes to publish a book on male initiation in 2003.

The conference was sponsored by the Office for Mission Effectiveness.