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Church Leaders on
Charismatic Renewal &
Covenant Communities
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Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities
An Initiative
Identified With Renewal
VATICAN CITY, MAY 9,
2006 (Zenit.org).-
Here is a description of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant
Communities and Fellowships, which appears in the Directory of International
Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
* * *
Official name:
Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships
Also Known as:
Catholic Fraternity
Established: 1990
History: The Catholic
Fraternity was created at the initiative of a number of Catholic Charismatic
Communities belonging to the International Brotherhood of Communities -- an
ecumenical association of largely Catholic communities -- that felt the need to
affirm their identity within Charismatic Renewal, strengthen their links with
the Church and deepen their communion with the Successor of Peter.
A decisive role was
played in its constitution by its first president, the Australian Brian Smith,
and the Texan Bobbie Caviar. On Nov. 30, 1990, the Pontifical Council for the
Laity decreed recognition of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant
Communities and Fellowships as an international association of the faithful of
pontifical right.
Identity: The Catholic
Fraternity is made up of Catholic Charismatic Communities, and strives to
identify with the saving mission of the Church in communion with the Pope.
This is pursued by
encouraging member communities to remain faithful to the charisms given to them
by the Spirit to build up and renew the Body of Christ, and helping them to
become more keenly aware of their membership of the Catholic Church;
guaranteeing that they fully comply with the teaching and the magisterium of the
Church, particularly with regard to ecclesiology, the centrality of the
sacraments, and devotion to Our Lady and the saints; promoting initiatives and
programs for evangelization; cooperating with other ecclesial communities and
movements; working for authentic ecumenism, consistent with the guidelines of
the Catholic Church.
Organization: The
Catholic Fraternity is not a hierarchically structured ecclesial movement, but a
federation of communities and associations, recognized by their local bishops,
which contribute to building up the one Church of Christ, in respect for their
different charisms.
It has no legal
authority over the member communities, but solely pastoral and spiritual
responsibility toward them, in order to strengthen their Catholic identity. The
representative body is the council, made up of the delegates of the member
communities, chaired by the president, meeting at least once every two years.
Within the council
there is the executive, made up of two representatives from each continent and
delegates of other regions or constituent parts of Catholic Fraternity.
Membership: The
Catholic Fraternity comprises 51 communities and associations in 14 countries.
They are in six countries in Europe, three in South America, two in Asia, two in
North America, and one in Oceania.
Works: The member
communities of the Catholic Fraternity have established schools of theology and
pastoral work; radio and television stations for evangelization; spiritual
retreat houses; educational and catechetical projects for street children;
specific programs to provide material and spiritual aid to the elderly,
immigrants, the sick and the unemployed; primary and secondary schools; homes
for the poor; assistance programs for prisoners and their families; programs to
prevent abortion and assist expectant mothers, and international missions in
Africa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Sabah and Indonesia.
The members are also
committed to evangelization programs for young people and young adults in
parishes, schools and universities.
Publications: Catholic
Fraternity International, a newsletter published three times a year in English.
Web site:
www.catholicfraternity.net
Headquarters: Catholic
Fraternity
Communications Center
Via San Tommaso
d'Aquino, 10/d - loc. 4
70124 Sari, Italy
Tel. [+39] 080.5099753
-- Fax 080.5619207
E-mail:
info@catholicfraternity.net
© Copyright 2006 --
Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
ZE06050923
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