Who Are We?
We’re a non-profit dedicated to the peacemaking legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi. We seek to marry modern conflict resolution techniques with Gospel-inspired values.
Who was Saint Francis?
Saint Francis was a Catholic and a peacemaker. He loved God and he loved his “brothers and sisters.” His love and compassion drove him to reconcile feuding parties.
Following his vision of peace, which grew equally out of Love and Truth, the Institute applies the rich tradition of Christian spirituality to the resolution of conflict.
What Do We Do?
The Institute provides practical, faith-based tools designed to aid in the prevention, management and resolution of disputes. We offer education, training, mediation, consultation, and research in peacemaking.
A peaceful world depends on families, churches, communities, workplaces, and societies having skills needed to resolve conflict. To serve this need we disseminate conflict resolution techniques that enhance the ability of clergy and laity, Catholics and non-Catholics, to address conflict in a manner consistent with the wisdom of the Church.
Why “Taming the Wolf”?
The legend of St. Francis taming the wolf of Gubbio evokes the rich Franciscan tradition of conflict resolution and inspires us to become peacemakers.
While recent advances in the dispute resolution profession can assist us in bringing culturally relevant approaches to resolving conflict, true reconciliation occurs only when we tap the wellspring of faith. The legend of Francis taming the wolf inspires us to seek a peacemaking approach that includes spiritual transformation.
In the book Taming the Wolf, mediation and spiritual ministry are blended to create a spiritually-transformative approach to conflict resolution.
Greg Stone, mediator and author, provides insights into the practice of mediation, with an emphasis on guiding the reader through the conflict resolution process.
Taming the Wolf’s central theme is, “how do we bring our spiritual essence to the task of making peace?” The goal is to combine principles of professional dispute resolution with spiritual teachings on peace and reconciliation.
What Can the Institute Do For Me?
The Institute fulfills its mission in three main areas:
- Education and Training
- Mediation and Consultation
- Research and Development
We educate and train people to manage conflict in their own lives and to assist friends and family in resolving conflict. We educate and train those serving in ministry, aiming to improve their ability to manage conflict.
We mediate disputes for groups and individuals. We offer consultation to individuals or groups seeking to prevent or resolve disputes.
We conduct research into evolving methods of managing conflict and we develop new approaches to peacemaking.
In addition, we will publish and distribute quality books, DVD’s, and other materials that promote a spiritually transformative approach to conflict resolution.
How Can I Get Involved?
The first step is to become educated and trained in managing conflict. This begins with learning to handle conflict in your own life.
The second step is to learn to apply these techniques to assist others, such as friends, family, and colleagues.
The third step is learning to access and utilize professional mediation services when needed, so as to help parties resolve difficult conflict and achieve reconciliation.
A fourth opportunity is to participate in academic and field research, answering the need for development of new conflict management approaches.
Others may wish to support the Institute with donations. If you are a corporation or a foundation seeking to contribute to bringing peace to the world, you may consider supporting our individual projects or our overall mission with a donation.
What Programs are Planned?
The Institute’s “blue sky” list of individuals and groups for whom we may deliver conflict management training includes: hospital chaplains; prison fellowship personnel; end-of-life caregivers; clergy, parish administrators, and deacons; attorneys working with people of faith; school teachers and administrators; legal aid personnel; health care providers; domestic relations counselors; spiritual directors; youth groups; parenting groups.
