one special use of the term applies to the franciscan order of priests and brothers. the order of friars minor (ofm), as opposed to the order of friars minor conventual (ofm conv.) is forbidden by its constitutions from owning property, as part of its commitment to communal poverty. various arrangements therefore exist whereby churches and houses of the order are owned by the holy see itself, or the local diocese or, sometimes, by a "syndic," an independent layman who is the actual owner of the land but who loans it to the friars.