The Missionszentrale der Franziskaner (MZF, Franciscan mission centre) is a German development charity association of the

Franciscan order , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...

, based in Bonn-Bad Godesberg and operating in many countries. It is focused on development of humanitarian, social and pastoral projects, and on education, information and human rights.

History

The

Second Vatican Council The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, commonly known as the , or , was the 21st Catholic ecumenical councils, ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church. The council met in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for four periods (or sessions) ...

inspired German Franciscans to found in 1969 a charity organisation which follows

Francis of Assisi Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi ( it, Francesco d'Assisi; – 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianit ...

: supporting and representing the poor. The founding director was , who led the organisation until 2002. It runs projects in Afrika, Asia, Oceania, Latin America as well as in Eastern Europe. In 2003, the MZF initiated the Bank für Orden und Mission (Bank for orders and mission)

Work

The Missionszentrale der Franziskaner follows the principles of Francis of Assisi of solidarity with the poor and protection of the environment. It is dedicated to the

option for the poor The option for the poor, or the preferential option for the poor, is one of the newer principles of the Catholic social teaching, as articulated in the latter half of the 20th century; it is also a theological emphasis in Methodism. The concept ...

. More than 220.000 Franciscans are active in around 110 countries, living and working with people in need.n The MZF supports around 600 projects in 60 countries. They are chosen by criteria: * initiated by the people in need * socially and environmentally sustainable * helping people to help themselves ("Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe") The MZF organises seminars and issues publications such as the quarterly ''Grüne Reihe''. From 1999, the MZF organized a voluntary year ("Freiwilligenjahr") for young adults, who work in projects. From 2009, the MZF has organised travels to enable meetings of people of different cultures and religions,.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Development charities based in Germany 1969 establishments in Germany Christian organizations established in 1969 Non-profit organisations based in Bavaria