The friars of the two Franciscan communities in San Diego, together with other members of the Franciscan family, have invited Prof. Martín Carbajo-Núñez to lead a study and reflection day on the theme: “Franciscan Leadership for a Synodal Church.”
The gathering will take place in the parish hall of Immaculate Conception on October 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The schedule will be as follows:
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10:00 a.m. Opening prayer
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10:30 a.m. Small group discussions
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10:45 a.m. Break
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11:00 a.m. Second presentation
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11:30 a.m. Small group discussions
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11:45 a.m. Large group sharing and conclusions
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12:00 p.m. Lunch
Prof. Carbajo has explained taht, in contrast to the pyramidal and hierarchical structures of medieval times, characterized by rigid role assignments and a logic of formal, meticulous obedience, Francis of Assisi promoted community and fraternal management based on mutual service and the participation of all through conventual chapters. He urged his friars to “voluntarily serve and obey one another” (Rnb 5,14). The authority of the “ministers and servants” must be maternal, and the obedience of the brothers “charitable,” an expression of the unconditional love that characterizes family relationships.
Inspired by him, today there is also an urgent need to promote new forms of leadership understood as service and guided by ethical values. Instead of hierarchical or transactional leadership, it is necesary promote other models that foster intrinsic motivations and shared, participatory, and co-responsible decision-making.
