In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan, presented 05/31/15 at Unity of Hilton Head

This presentation arose out discussions I had with Franciscan Sister Annie whom I met at the Eldering retreat offered through Mepkin Abbey's Contemplative Aging Institute, under the direction of Father Guerric Heckel. The video and book were produced by Sister Annie's colleague Sister Kathleen Warren, OSF. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Parliament of the World's Religions 10/18/15. The beautiful icon is the work of Franciscan Iconographer Br. Robert Lentz.

In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan
Since September 11, 2001, violence between Muslims and Christians, who together make up more than 50 percent of the world’s population, has escalated radically. More than ever we need models for peacemaking and ways to educate one another on our common ground. Pope Frances took his name in honor of St. Francis and he has done a great deal to live up to that name. The Vatican’s Treaty with the Palestinian state is the most recent evidence of his efforts. This class will present a 44 minute video In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan: A Model of Peacemaking and will be followed by a group discussion. This video shares the story of St. Francis and Sultan Malek al-Kamil and a little-known thirteenth-century peace initiative in the Middle East. In 1219 during the Fifth Crusade, Francis took it upon himself to cross battle lines and reach out to the enemy. These countercultural efforts of Francis, a simple friar, and Malek al-Kamil, the leader of the Muslim forces of the Levant, made these men most unusual in their time. This video examines their efforts on behalf of peace in order to help us, in our time, negotiate inter-religious misunderstanding and hostility, and other difficult encounters between conflicting peoples.