“For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters [priests] in every town, as I directed you, on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious.” (Titus 1:5-6) We must then conclude that marriage in the earliest church traditions was not an impediment to the priesthood. The church is currently facing a serious crisis because of the shortage of priests. We need married Roman Catholic priests now! Married Roman Catholic priests are priests who married after ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. A priest is always a priest: “sacred ordination never becomes invalid.” (Canon 290) According to Psalm 110:4 “Like Melchizedek, you are a priest forever.” The “Catholic Church is unique in several areas: the dwindling supply of priests, the increasing number of lay people per priest, the declining number of priests per parish, [and] the increasing number of priestless parishes." (Davidson, Donald. “Fewer and Fewer,” America magazine, 2003) Your monetary gifts are needed for the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical to accomplish its mission and goals. I’m a married Roman Catholic priest and very proud to donate to this worthwhile non-profit charity and would urge others to do the same. Yes, your gift can change the lives of married Roman Catholic priests. You’ll be glad you did.
BrFrank
Your organization continues to assist the orphans of Africa. Your “Save The Children Campaign” is responsible for saving children from war, giving them shelter and providing a shelter for the many children displaced by war and the results of war. Many parents have been mudered, but their children are safe.... thanks to your donations.
I’ve heard many great thing about your order. You also have a place provided for Married Roman Catholic Priest to have a place to support them.
Five thumbs up for following the commands of Christ in saving our brothers and sisters from certain death by war and persecution.
Blessings on your ministries and its ambitious endeavors.
May Our Lord Continue to bless you with members, donors and grateful children who now have a good life.
Thank you for all the good you are doing in the world.
Blessing and Prayers.
BrFrank
The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical gives Catholic Married Priests a Home and a tremendous opportunity to serve the Roman Catholic Church. I felt abandoned because I could not do the public duties of a Roman Catholic Priest. I joined this group on April 17, 2017.
The Order of Franciscans serve as 501 (3c) nonprofit and has assisted several Orphanages within Africa by promoting food and clothing to the children who were near starvation. The Order is at its best when it fulfills Jesus’ mandate to “feed our brother and sisters who are hungry; to support the sick” by giving them a second chance at having a better life. The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical promotes the Gospel by feeding children (many of their parents were killed in during wars and religious persecutions) through the “Save The Children” Campaign of the Order.
Recently, I was elected as a member of the Board of Directors. My personal goals are very much in line with the Goals and Rules of the Order.
We will continue to serve the less fortunate, the victims of war and orphans among us who need helping hand.
It is Jesus that we serve in one another. “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was naked and you clothed me.”
Let us continue to do these good works throughout the world. I support the good works of the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical and its members.
I’m very proud of what the members of the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical continue to do every year; especially, in supporting and giving to the “Save Our Children” Campaign.
Sincerely in Christ,
Brother John Paul, OFE
Everyone needs a place to call home. And for those who have been excluded by the Roman Catholic Church I know the loneliness one can feel! Not anymore! The order of Franciscans Ecumenical is a place to call home a place that one day the Roman church will acknowledge as a rite that has always been as as God said to Francisco rebuild my church the OFE is ready! From married priest to priest who are to old or disabled or with disabilities who are willing to serve! OFE is a page from scripture from the acts of the apostles where the men chosen where not perfect and the women had strong roles to play. OFE is past present and future of the church waiting as Rome continues to self destruct OFE IS READY TO REBUILD THE CHURCH!
I am greatly motivated by the charity and excellent work of OFE. It echoes a clarion call to affirm solidarity with a married clergy in a time when clergy numbers are declining.
May the Spirit of Pentecost strengthen and protect the work and mission of OFE.
Fr. Noel
I am a married Catholic Priest. Fourteen years Seminary training, Twenty three years ministering as a High School teacher, Air Force Chaplain and Foreign missionary within the Roman Catholic Church, and thirty five years after that as a husband, father, and supporting myself & family. as an Ecumenical (not RC) priest.
Also, for the past fifteen years I have been ministering to an Ecumenical catholic Parish. All former Roman Catholics, we have retained all of the good and spiritually nourishing elements of the RC church while rising above the destructive forces within it.
the parish does not have to "worry about supporting Father and his wife & children",There is no reason why catholic Priests cannot minister and support themselves as "worker Priests"
If and when Priests are allowed to marry there will be thousands more Priests than there are now, all over the world. The work will be shared so there will be no need for the same few to be "on duty" 24/7 as the MYTH is now. Other professions that serve peoples needs do it. with great dedication and results. Why not Priests?
Optional celibacy is inevitable if the RC church is to survive.
I encourage all who care about the RC Church and want to remain within it to work and pray that the Pope, Cardinals & Bishops come to their senses and promote this sensible change while there is still time.
Father Terence M. McDonough
Wonderful place for autocephalous priest and married priest to find a home that gives hope and welcomes them as one Holy Catholic Apostolic Church!
Come, Holy Spirit! The Roman Catholic Church and the People of God are in a crisis. Married Roman Catholic priests feel rejected by the traditional Church. The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. is offering celibate and married Roman Catholic priests and laity “a welcoming home, support, acceptance, affirmation of their marriages, and validation of their lives and ministries.” The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. is reaching out for your support in this heroic ministry. Your monetary gifts are immediately needed for them to accomplish its mission and goals. Yes, your donation can change the lives of rejected married Roman Catholic priests.
The Church, priests, laity, and People of God are suffering. I’m proud to donate to this worthwhile charity and would encourage others to do the same. Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. is fulfilling an urgent need for celibate and married Roman Catholic priests and laity who are suffering by “offering them a welcoming home, support, acceptance, affirmation of their marriages, and validation of their lives and ministries. It also supports efforts to restore married priesthood to the Roman Catholic Church.”
They urgently need your prayers, donations, and support. I’m especially impressed that Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. demonstrate their commitment to transparency. For instance, there is no salary paid to any of its board members. Donations are used for the exclusive purpose to minister to celibate and married Roman Catholic priests and laity. This nonprofit is 100% worth supporting. God bless and thank you for your prayers and assistance.
The Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc., is a non-profit corporation, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organized and operated exclusive for religious purposes. This corporation is to minister to celibate and married Roman Catholic priests and laity. They are reaching out to gain support to create an avenue for married Roman Catholic priests to return to service in Roman Catholic parishes. There is no compensation of any kind paid to the President/CEO or other Board members.
Men who have left the priesthood to marry are made to feel that they failed merely because they wanted the fulfillment of wives and families of their own. Sadly, they have become disheartened by the Church’s abandonment. In spite of this, the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical minister to them by offering them a welcoming home, support, acceptance, affirmation of their marriages, and validation of their lives and ministries.
Your individual contribution is a means of sharing in the Order of Franciscans Ecumenical, Inc. ongoing ministry to provide a “home” for married Roman Catholic priests and to eventually enable them to continue to serve sacramentally within the Roman Catholic Church.
Your prayers and contributions are true blessings.