Who Are We?
The Institute is a non-profit dedicated to Franciscan peacemaking. It is our mission to promote the peacemaking legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi by training priests, religious brothers and sisters, laypeople, and all who are interested in learning faith-based conflict resolution skills. Through workshops, presentations, tutorials, manuals, books, mediation services, and consultation services we bring the wisdom of Franciscan spirituality to bear on the modern discipline of dispute resolution.
What is Our Goal?
Our goal is to put a peacemaker in every parish. We believe world peace starts at home, within each heart, each community, each parish. We believe we can affect big change by starting small and working locally, training ordinary individuals in advanced, faith-based conflict resolution techniques.
Who was Saint Francis?
Saint Francis loved God and his “brothers and sisters.” He saw the divine in all creatures. His love and compassion drove him to reconcile feuding parties. Following his vision of peace, based on 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 that aid in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict. We offer education, training, mediation, and consultation. We disseminate conflict resolution techniques consistent with the wisdom of the Church.
Why “Taming the Wolf”?
The legend of Saint Francis taming the fierce wolf of Gubbio evokes the rich Franciscan peacemaking tradition. While advances in the dispute resolution profession assist us in bringing culturally relevant approaches to resolving conflict, true reconciliation occurs when we integrate faith. The legend inspires us to seek a spiritually transformative approach to peacemaking. The central theme of Taming the Wolf: Peace through Faith is making peace through spirituality.
What Can the Institute Do For Me?
We educate and train people serving in ministry to manage and resolve conflict.
We mediate disputes and consult with individuals or groups seeking to prevent or resolve disputes.
We research evolving methods of managing conflict and develop new approaches to peacemaking.
We publish books, DVD’s, and other materials that promote spiritually transformative conflict resolution.
How Can I Get Involved?
The first step is becoming educated and trained in managing conflict. This begins with learning to handle conflict in your own life.
The second step is learning 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 to help parties resolve difficult conflict and achieve reconciliation.
A fourth opportunity is participating in research, answering the need for development of new conflict management approaches.
Or you can support the Institute with your donations. Corporations or foundations are invited to support individual projects or the overall mission with a donation.