The dissertation is a critical reflection on the relevance of Franciscan spirituality over eight centuries with special focus on the Third Order Regular. This spirituality is rooted in the life and writings of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi and their experience of the kenotic Christ. The Franciscan charism prevails in the world today as a living response to God’s transforming love which is expressed in a ministry of loving service and solidarity with the poor and marginalised – re-enacting Francis’ radical conversion when he embraced the leper. The Third Order Regular, inspired by Vatican II which called for a return to the charism of religious founders, returned to its roots with the revised Rule of 1982 based on the writings of Francis and Clare and grounded in Sacred Scripture. The Rule’s vision corresponds with the 1996 document Vita Consecrata on consecrated life and its mission to be prophetic witnesses to Christ today. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Christian Spirituality)

Thesis (doctoral)--Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Bonn, 1981. / Errata page inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-176).

The diploma thesis deals with the medieval controversy over the stigmata of Francis of Assisi. The religious phenomenon of the stigmata is viewed from the point of view of the general development of the spirituality in the High Middle Ages. The work tries to respect the chronological development of the polemics and, accordingly, also focuses on the progress of the Franciscan reflection of the stigmata. One of the chapters is dedicated to the analysis of the origins of the Franciscan tradition of the founder's stigmata. Subsequently, the work describes the resistance against the cult of the stigmatized saint from the point of view of the Franciscan sources and papal bulls, defending the authenticity of the stigmata. The penultimate chapter is dedicated to the development of the Franciscan theology of the stigmata, which resulted in the exaltation of the founder and his order. On the grounds of this development, the stigmata became the subject of rivalry between the Franciscans and the Dominicans, as discussed in the last chapter.

While throughout the ages prominent thinkers have denounced for various reasons mistreatment and killing of animals for food or sacrifice, the dominant western view has been that only rational beings merit moral respect and value. Augustine developed, from Aristotle‘s thought of a hierarchy of souls as well as from the Stoic concept of animals‘ irrationality, the idea that animals share no fellowship with humans and thus are to be excluded from moral consideration. In Aquinas‘ thinking the difference between rationality and irrationality became the difference between immortal and mortal souls. This view furthered the development of an instrumental view of animals. The perception that lower species are created to benefit the higher species has become a dominant part of western Christian thought. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether a respectful attitude towards animals, as lived by Francis of Assisi and Albert Schweitzer, has a mystical basis (following the model of Evelyn Underhill), and subsequently to consider whether and how mystical qualities as lived by Francis and Schweitzer may contribute to an animal spirituality. In this thesis I explore the moral valuation of animals in the Christian biblical and spiritual tradition, and further present the outcome of this exploration as an alternative to an anthropocentric tradition and as a contribution to contemporary protectionist approaches. Franciscan sources and Schweitzer‘s oeuvre have been examined while applying Underhill‘s concept of various characteristics and stages of the mystic way. I conclude that both Francis and Schweitzer in their own unique ways qualify to be categorized as ‗mystics‘. Not through rationality, but through experience and feeling, both have achieved real contact with other beings and attained to the Mystery of life. Through their purified view they have been able to perceive animals in a non-instrumental way and through their mystical experiences of union they have sensed the common ontological basis and kinship between humans and animals—our interdependency, utility, aesthetic value and theophany. On the basis of scrutiny of biblical texts which touch upon the relations of humans and animals with God I observe that an animal-inclusive moral concern, as demonstrated by Francis and Schweitzer, finds biblical support. Each creature, as created and animated by God‘s rûaḥ (‗Spirit‘) is transparent to God‘s glory and therefore able to reveal something of the Creator. The Bible proclaims animals as God‘s property, with their own relation with their Creator, not as created to satisfy human wants and wishes. A non-instrumental understanding of animals, as found in biblical texts and as realized by Francis‘ and Schweitzer‘s awe for life, has ethical implications for human-animal relations. Francis‘ and Schweitzer‘s views call us to question our use of animals as our property, therewith sacrificing animal interests for our own. A spirituality in which animals are contemplated as God‘s creatures, with their own worth and their own relation to God, may lead to a different attitude towards animals. To the various elucidated positions in the contemporary animal debate, with its emphasis on rights and reason, Francis and Schweitzer may contribute through their example of an approach calling for empathy, sympathy and compassion as an alternative point of departure. / PhD (Dogmatics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology, 2015

While throughout the ages prominent thinkers have denounced for various reasons mistreatment and killing of animals for food or sacrifice, the dominant western view has been that only rational beings merit moral respect and value. Augustine developed, from Aristotle‘s thought of a hierarchy of souls as well as from the Stoic concept of animals‘ irrationality, the idea that animals share no fellowship with humans and thus are to be excluded from moral consideration. In Aquinas‘ thinking the difference between rationality and irrationality became the difference between immortal and mortal souls. This view furthered the development of an instrumental view of animals. The perception that lower species are created to benefit the higher species has become a dominant part of western Christian thought. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether a respectful attitude towards animals, as lived by Francis of Assisi and Albert Schweitzer, has a mystical basis (following the model of Evelyn Underhill), and subsequently to consider whether and how mystical qualities as lived by Francis and Schweitzer may contribute to an animal spirituality. In this thesis I explore the moral valuation of animals in the Christian biblical and spiritual tradition, and further present the outcome of this exploration as an alternative to an anthropocentric tradition and as a contribution to contemporary protectionist approaches. Franciscan sources and Schweitzer‘s oeuvre have been examined while applying Underhill‘s concept of various characteristics and stages of the mystic way. I conclude that both Francis and Schweitzer in their own unique ways qualify to be categorized as ‗mystics‘. Not through rationality, but through experience and feeling, both have achieved real contact with other beings and attained to the Mystery of life. Through their purified view they have been able to perceive animals in a non-instrumental way and through their mystical experiences of union they have sensed the common ontological basis and kinship between humans and animals—our interdependency, utility, aesthetic value and theophany. On the basis of scrutiny of biblical texts which touch upon the relations of humans and animals with God I observe that an animal-inclusive moral concern, as demonstrated by Francis and Schweitzer, finds biblical support. Each creature, as created and animated by God‘s rûaḥ (‗Spirit‘) is transparent to God‘s glory and therefore able to reveal something of the Creator. The Bible proclaims animals as God‘s property, with their own relation with their Creator, not as created to satisfy human wants and wishes. A non-instrumental understanding of animals, as found in biblical texts and as realized by Francis‘ and Schweitzer‘s awe for life, has ethical implications for human-animal relations. Francis‘ and Schweitzer‘s views call us to question our use of animals as our property, therewith sacrificing animal interests for our own. A spirituality in which animals are contemplated as God‘s creatures, with their own worth and their own relation to God, may lead to a different attitude towards animals. To the various elucidated positions in the contemporary animal debate, with its emphasis on rights and reason, Francis and Schweitzer may contribute through their example of an approach calling for empathy, sympathy and compassion as an alternative point of departure. / PhD (Dogmatics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology, 2015

Towards a Franciscan model of Clinical pastoral supervision is a study of interaction between two movements: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Franciscan Spirituality. Francis and Clare were the primary founders of the Franciscan movement and Franciscan spirituality arose from their reflections on their unique response of following Christ. From the early Franciscan sources, essential elements are retrieved. Compassion is illustrated as a key quality of this model through textual analysis of four stories of Francis and his early followers. Clinical Pastoral Education is a result of the contributions of three founders: Keller, Cabot and Boisen. Clinical pastoral supervision (CPS) is a distinguishing concept of CPE. Various models of CPS are categorised according to three paradigms of western society: classical, modern and postmodern. The study concludes by framing a Franciscan model of clinical pastoral supervision. Contemplation and compassion are the two Franciscan characteristics which give this model a unique Franciscan dimension. / New Testament / M.Th.

This study examines the articulated vision of a new Catholic primary school in order to describe and assess its developing organisational culture. The following questions provide the major focus of the study: I How and to what extent does the Vision Statement describe the developing Catholic school culture at St Clare of Assisi Primary School? 2. What are the common beliefs and values underlying the Vision Statement at St Clare of Assisi Primary School? A review of the literature reveals that many educational researchers stress the importance of schools developing a strong, coordinated, cohesive and positive culture. The need for this culture to be based on a clearly articulated vision, embodying shared values and beliefs is also indicated and this provides the rationale for the study. A number of frameworks for school culture are examined and adapted to develop a conceptual framework for the study. The resulting Model for Developing Catholic School Culture provides a structure which enables collected data to be sorted and analysed, so that the research questions can be addressed. This study utilises the methodology of ethnographic research. Data collection strategies include participant observation, interviews, surveys, and other sources including school records and documents, photographs, artefacts and memorabilia. The findings are organised under five headings, each of which represents a belief articulated in the school's Vision Statement. These beliefs are examined to see how they are enacted verbally, visually and behaviourally by the school community Conclusions are drawn as to the relevance of the Vision Statement to the school community Other significant values and beliefs evident from an examination of the data are also identified The study concludes that the Vision Statement effectively describes the developing culture of the school for there is congruence between its beliefs and actions. What emerges of particular significance from this study is the importance of a school community articulating a shared vision. A school's Vision Statement serves a dual purpose It is the filter which allows the shared beliefs and values of the school community to be articulated, while at the same time serving as a scaffold for checking if these shared beliefs and values are being enacted by the community.

Friar Francisco Pareja represented the pinnacle of the achievement for the Franciscans in Florida during the Spanish colonial period. But who were the Franciscans? Why were they, and Friar Pareja in particular, so successful as missionaries? The bulk of the writing done thus far on the mission system in Florida has concentrated on retelling the lost story of the native peoples who once inhabited the land. The impact of the missions and the Spanish colony weighed heavily on native cultures and the Franciscans role in this has been discussed. However, little has been said about the religious order itself, and the Order of Friars minor is the focus of this manuscript. Research for this manuscript was conducted at several sites, in particular at the St. Augustine Historical Society and the P. K. Yonge Library at the University of Florida. In both microfilm and in reprints there exists in these locations several of the letters and other documents that were copied from the Archivo General de los Indias in Seville. Also, other writings and documents have been collected in journals and other sources accessible through the internet. Friar Pareja's Confesionario in 1613 was the earliest example of a Native American language translated into a European one. This feat was accomplished by a member of a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, one that was dedicated to a principle that did not always fall in line with that of the Spanish colonial government. While the Franciscans did aid in cultural destruction, their dedication to their Faith should not be overlooked. Friar Pareja's Confesionario was just one example of the Friars' trust in God aiding them in making a lasting impact on Florida's past.

Towards a Franciscan model of Clinical pastoral supervision is a study of interaction between two movements: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Franciscan Spirituality. Francis and Clare were the primary founders of the Franciscan movement and Franciscan spirituality arose from their reflections on their unique response of following Christ. From the early Franciscan sources, essential elements are retrieved. Compassion is illustrated as a key quality of this model through textual analysis of four stories of Francis and his early followers. Clinical Pastoral Education is a result of the contributions of three founders: Keller, Cabot and Boisen. Clinical pastoral supervision (CPS) is a distinguishing concept of CPE. Various models of CPS are categorised according to three paradigms of western society: classical, modern and postmodern. The study concludes by framing a Franciscan model of clinical pastoral supervision. Contemplation and compassion are the two Franciscan characteristics which give this model a unique Franciscan dimension. / New Testament / M.Th.

The submitted thesis Poverty in Theatre is a reflexion of motivation, consequences and importance of voluntary poverty-modesty in the context of contemporary theatre. The opening part of the text introduces the theme from general point of view in relation to the personality of Saint Francis from Assisi, who is not only the iconic figure of the medieval spirituality, but also becomes the source of inspiration for contemporary tendencies and movements and individuals dealing with poverty. The main part of the theses is focused on poverty in the field of art-primarily theatre. The last part describes the creation of the author's performance Pouť, that was inspired by the life of Saint Francis and by the pilgrimage through Italy, which preceded the whole project.