Istanbul hosts the annual meeting of the Franciscan Mediterranean Network (FMN), a key space for dialogue, peace, and Franciscan mission
From March 24 to 27, the city of Istanbul—at the Convent of the Friars Minor of Saint Mary Draperis—hosted the annual meeting of the Coordination Committee of the Franciscan Mediterranean Network (RFMed), an initiative focused on promoting peace, intercultural dialogue, and support for migrants in the Mediterranean region.
The choice of Istanbul, a city bridging East and West, highlights the symbolic and strategic value of this Franciscan gathering in a global context marked by tensions, conflicts, and migration challenges. This historic setting stands as a concrete sign of dialogue among cultures, religions, and peoples.
The meeting began with a visit to Büyükada, in the Sea of Marmara, where participants spent time with the fraternity of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and learned about the reality of the “Citadel of Flowers.” There, direct testimonies from migrants helped deepen understanding of the dynamics of suffering and hope that shape the Mediterranean, strengthening the network’s commitment through real-life experiences.
The working sessions of the RFMed Coordination Committee focused on mutual listening, the exchange of experiences, and the evaluation of the network’s three main pillars: migrants, dialogue and peace, and youth. Activities carried out in 2025 were reviewed, and progress was made in strategic planning for the 2026–2027 biennium, including the annual report and communication lines.
Among the highlights were the testimonies of the friars serving in Istanbul, Fr. Felianus Dogon (guardian of the fraternity) and Fr. Antonius Duma, who shared their pastoral work in an interreligious and multicultural context.
In addition, Fr. Eunan McMullan presented the work of Franciscans International, broadening the perspective of Franciscan commitment at the global level, particularly in matters of justice, peace, and human rights.
The meeting was further enriched by the virtual participation from Marseille of Fr. Alexis Leproux, head of the Ecclesial Coordination for the Mediterranean, strengthening collaboration among the various ecclesial realities in the region.
This annual meeting of the Franciscan Mediterranean Network reaffirms the urgency of continuing to build relationships, promote interreligious dialogue, and support paths of peace in the Mediterranean—a key region for fraternity among peoples and for the future of global coexistence.
