How Is The FODC Governed?
The center of unity in The Franciscan Order of the Divine Compassion is our Minister-General, the superior general of the Order. Obedience to him as the administrator-in-chief of the affairs of the Order, the executor of its Rule, Constitution, Statutes, Credenda (our Statement of Belief), and form of Government, and the chief spiritual director of the Order’s members is the means whereby union and unity is maintained. But it is impossible for the Minister-General, even though according to the Rule established by St. Francis he is minister and servant of all, like our Lord, to minister in person to each individual member of the Order; therefore, he must delegate his authority to others who give pastoral care as his deputies. Those who govern the Order do so according to written laws of the Order, so that all, those who obey and those who govern, are under obedience. Furthermore, the Minister-General is assisted by a Council of Advice known as the Discretorium, and to their vote many th
