Giacomo Bini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Giacomo Bini |
|
|---|---|
| Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor | |
 |
|
| Enthroned | 1997 |
| Reign ended | 2003 |
| Predecessor | Hermann Schalück |
| Successor | José Rodríguez Carballo |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 14 March 1964 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Giacomo Bini |
| Born | 23 August 1938 Ostra Vetere |
| Died | 9 May 2014 (aged 75) Rome |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Alma mater |
|
Giacomo Bini (born August 23, 1938 – died May 9, 2014) was a special kind of Catholic priest called a Franciscan. He became a priest in 1964. Later, he worked as a missionary in Africa, helping people and sharing his faith. From 1997 to 2003, he was chosen to be the worldwide leader of the Franciscan Order, which is a big group of priests and brothers. He could speak many languages, including Italian, French, English, Spanish, and Kiswahili.
Contents
Early Life and Studies
Giacomo Bini was born in a town called Ostra Vetere in Italy in 1938. When he was young, he went to a special school to study and prepare to become a priest. At 18, in 1956, he joined the Franciscan Order.
He made his final promises to the order in 1963 and became a priest in 1964. He continued his studies in Paris and Strasbourg, France. In 1971, he earned a special degree called a Doctor in Religious Sciences. His studies focused on important religious topics.
After his studies, Giacomo Bini took on many different roles. He taught about church services, guided new friars, and served as a leader in his local Franciscan region. He also worked as a parish priest in a town called Urbino.
Mission Work in Rwanda
In 1982, Giacomo Bini wanted to help with his order's work in Africa. He moved to Rwanda to help start a new Franciscan community there. His goal was to live simply, help the poor, and work closely with the local church.
Bini arrived in Rwanda in February 1983 with two other friars. Soon, two more friars joined them, including Vjeko Curic. They all came from different parts of the Franciscan Order.
The friars chose a hilltop near the town of Kivumu for their mission. While learning the local language, Kiswahili, they built a friary (a home for friars) with help from local people. It opened in January 1984. In October 1984, a new church parish was started, and Giacomo Bini became its first parish priest.
Each friar had different ways of helping. Friar Anselmo took care of the mission's gardens. Friar Vjeko Curic became friends with local children and young people. Friar Raoul helped the community with their spiritual needs. Giacomo Bini especially loved working with the poorest people, helping them with their farms.
The new community also worked closely with other religious groups, like the Poor Clares. Bini also helped train young Rwandans who wanted to join the Franciscan Order. From 1993 to 1997, he served as a provincial leader for the Franciscans in Africa.
In 1994, a terrible event called the Rwandan genocide happened. Many people from the Tutsi ethnic group were killed. One Rwandan friar, Br. Georges Gashugi, was killed during this time. Another early missionary, Vjeko Curic, who had helped many people during the genocide, was sadly shot and killed in 1998.
At Vjeko Curic's funeral, Giacomo Bini spoke about his bravery. He shared that Vjeko had once said, "those whom I saved will kill me." Bini reminded everyone of a Bible verse that talks about giving one's life freely to help others.
Leading the Franciscan Order
On May 14, 1997, Giacomo Bini was chosen to be the worldwide leader of the Franciscan Order. This important meeting happened near Assisi, Italy, where St. Francis, the founder of the order, lived. Bini served in this role for six years, until 2003.
During his time as leader, he helped to strengthen connections between Franciscans in different parts of the world. For example, he helped establish a Franciscan hermitage (a quiet place for prayer) in Lithuania in 2000. Pope John Paul II even wrote a letter praising Bini for this effort.
As the head of the Franciscan Order, Bini was also the official "custos of the Holy Land." This means he was responsible for protecting Catholic holy sites in the Middle East. He worked to help solve problems during a difficult time in 2002 when there was a siege at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
He also met Pope John Paul II during the Pope's visit to Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. Later, in 2003, the Pope wrote a long letter to Bini and the Franciscan Order, talking about their important work and mission.
Later Years and Legacy
After his time as Minister General, Bini continued to work on important projects. In 2007, he helped create a special European Missionary Fraternity in Italy. This group aimed to live a simple, prayerful life while also going out to help people and share their faith across Europe. They believed in trusting in God's plan and helping people from all backgrounds, including Romani communities.
Bini also strongly believed in a closer relationship between the Franciscan Order and the Poor Clares, another religious order founded by St. Clare, a friend of St. Francis. He felt that both orders shared a common goal of living a humble life dedicated to God and helping others. He thought that by working together, they could bring new energy and purpose to the wider Catholic Church.
Giacomo Bini passed away on May 9, 2014, after a short illness. His funeral was held on May 12, and he was buried in his family's tomb in Marino, Italy. His life showed a deep dedication to his faith, to helping the poor, and to leading the Franciscan Order with wisdom and compassion.
See also
- List of ministers general of the Order of Friars Minor
