Franciscans of Primitive Observance

Contents

The Franciscans of the Primitive Observance, also known as the Franciscans of the Poor Christ[1], is an association of the faithful founded in 1995 under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston that observes the Rule of Saint Francis in the Capuchin tradition.

History

The community was established in 1995 by former members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.[2][3]

The community later used the name Franciscans of the Poor Christ.[4]

Governance

Peter Giroux[5] has served as the community's General Servant for the majority of the Franciscans of Primitive Observance's existence.

Controversy

In 2000, the Tifft family donated the use of their estate in Vermont to the Franciscans of Primitive Observance to conduct a retreat for their members, during which they conducted exorcisms.[6] The Tifft family alleged that John Sweeney, one of the founding figures, used these and similar occasions to serially sexually abuse and victimize teenage women, including the Tifft's 17-year-old daughter.[7] Sweeney was put on leave in 2004, and subsequently laicized in 2013.[7][8][9][10]

Women's community

Along with the founding of the friars' community out of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, six women left the corresponding women's community, the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, in 1994, to form the Capuchin Recollect Sisters in New Bedford, Massachusetts.[11][12] In 1998, they changed their community's name to Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth.

References

  1. 1."Who are the Franciscans of the Poor Christ (Formerly of the Primitive Observance)?". Holy Rosary Shrine. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  2. 2.Bill McNamara (March 31, 1997). "Capuchins came from all walks of life". The Standard-Times. New Bedford, Massachusetts.
  3. 3.Benedict Groeschel and Grazyna Marczuk (2005). A Drama of Reform. San Francisco: Ignatius Press. p. 46. ISBN 9781586171148.
  4. 4."Who are the Franciscans of the Poor Christ (Formerly of the Primitive Observance)?". Holy Rosary Shrine. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  5. 5."Life Matters: Fr. Peter Giroux, F.P.O." Boston Neighborhood Network. January 3, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  6. 6."Former Mass. priest sexually abused teens in New England, according to new allegation". masslive. 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  7. 7.[7.2]Cormier, Taylor (8 May 2019). "Former New Bedford-Based Priest Accused of Sexual Assault". 1420 WBSM. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  8. 8."New names surface in priest abuse scandal". Sentinel and Enterprise. 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  9. 9."Priest used exorcism as a ruse for abuse, woman claims". NBC News. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  10. 10.Crimaldi, Laura (May 7, 2019). "Clergy sex-abuse crisis isn't over, lawyer says, citing recent settlements". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
  11. 11.Bill McNamara (March 31, 1997). "For nuns, a joyful intimate connection to God and each other". The Standard-Times. New Bedford, Massachusetts.
  12. 12.Benedict Groeschel and Grazyna Marczuk (2005). A Drama of Reform. San Francisco: Ignatius Press. p. 46. ISBN 9781586171148. Retrieved June 30, 2016.