Moeskops/Pancratius/Schiffer -Franciscan Tertiary Interobediential Congress

In 1950, the first Franciscan Tertiary Interobediential Congress took place in Rome. The purpose of this meeting was to consider the possibility of forming a confederation of the male Congregations professing the Rule of the TOR. This meeting also served as an opportunity for the Superiors General of the Tertiary Congregations present to become acquainted with each other and to know and appreciate the work being done by the various Congregations.

A friar, very dedicated to this vision, was Bro. Joseph Schieffer CFP of the Franciscan Brothers of the Poor (Aachen, Germany) who served as the Secretary of the Inter Obediential Congress/Office for several years. The most lasting and widespread influence of these Congresses was in preparing the way for that historic meeting in Madrid, Spain in 1974. From that 4th Inter-Obediential Congress of the friars and representatives of several Conferences of Franciscan Sisters came the document Officially titled: A Statement of Understanding of Franciscan Penitential Life, which came to be known simply as The Madrid Document. As Bro. Paul McMullen T.O.R. explains in his study on the development of the new Rule:

This document gave a distinct and unique direction to the understanding of Tertiary life today. It offered a clearer notion of penance in the biblical concept of metanoia, or ongoing conversion. Although we now have a new Rule, this Statement remains a valid spiritual document and expression of our Franciscan Penitential life.

Vatican II mandated renewal for Religious Congregations. The first major attempt at this by the Third Order Regular was the Madrid Statement. Through commissions, consultation, historical research and the Fourth Franciscan Tertiary Interobediential Congress, many Franciscan Tertiary Congregations believed that the TOR Rule of 1927 was no longer a relevant expression of our identity and charism. The Madrid Statement expressed our self-understanding as Franciscan Penitents in today's world.
The Analecta TOR containing the proceedings of the Madrid Congress was sent to all the houses of our Order. The US Federation of Franciscan Sisters promoted the Madrid meeting through their Study Guide. Although information was available, many houses and individuals did not use this opportunity for study and reflection on our roots. The importance of the work being done was not well communicated. The Madrid Statement was considered by many as yet another renewal document.