Couples for Christ

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Question book-new.svg
 This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (March 2009)
Couples for Christ official logo

Couples for Christ (CFC), formally the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc., is an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement,[1] "intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life."[2] It is one of 122 International Associations of the Faithful[3][4] with official Vatican recognition from the Pontifical Council for the Laity. It is led by an International Council, which operates in the Philippines under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and can report directly to the Vatican. The community is made up of family ministries, social arms, and a pro-life ministry.

Contents

[edit] History

Couples for Christ traces its origin to Manila, Philippines. It was established in 1981 by the charismatic community Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP) as its outreach to evangelize married couples. It severed its ties from LNP in 1993.

In August 2007, former CFC leaders announced the creation of a separate group known as Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (also now known as Couples for Christ Foundation Inc.). This development caused a division of membership within CFC, as some of its membership migrated to CFC-FFL.[5]

CFC leaders have stated that they are open to reconciliation with CFC-FFL, but do not expect a quick resolution even after intervention by the Vatican.[6] According to Francisco Padilla, former CFC Executive Director and current CFC-FFL Servant-General, only CFC-FFL is recognized by the Vatican.[7] An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines stated that “in the dioceses in the Philippines there can be two groups of the CFC provided again the bishop of the place will permit.”[8]

Padilla's claim to be the founder of CFC[9], which is supported by CFC-FFL, is questioned by CFC. CFC's publication Origins of Couples for Christ directly responds to this claim by including the point of view of Vic Gutierrez, a former LNP leader who was responsible for the conceptualization of CFC in 1981.[10]

Although CFC-FFL has received support from some Philippine and foreign dioceses[11], CFC still retains its recognition as a Catholic ministry nationally in the Philippines and internationally. Some bishops have also declared recognition of CFC in their dioceses, including John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark.[12]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia
  2. ^ About Couples for Christ
  3. ^ Associations of the Faithful: A Working Definition
  4. ^ Directory of International Associations of the Faithful
  5. ^ Couples for Christ in Philippines apologizes for split in membership
  6. ^ Union of Catholic Asian News > News Archive > Couples For Christ Leaders Hope To Move On After Split
  7. ^ CFC-FFL Texas
  8. ^ Bishop Reyes gives update on CFC name usage | CBCP News
  9. ^ CFC FFL EUROPE: Church Hierarchy Recognizes Frank Padilla As Founder
  10. ^ The Origins of Couples for Christ Part 3
  11. ^ CFC FFL RECOGNITION BY THE CLERGY
  12. ^ Archdiocese of Newark (USA) Supports CFC

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couples_for_Christ"
Languages