Couples for Christ

The Couples for Christ (abbreviated as CFC) is an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement^[1] whose goal is to renew and strengthen Christian family life and values.^[2] It is one of 122 International Associations of the Faithful^[3][4] The organization was affiliated with the 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.

History Couples for Christ (CFC) 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. In 1993, a group led by Francisco Padilla^{[citation needed]}, one of the original members recruited by LNP in 1981, severed CFC's ties from LNP citing differences in evangelization approaches. Padilla was CFC's Executive Director until 2007.

In August 2007, the same group of leaders^{[citation needed]} announced the creation of a separate group known as Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL.). This development, particularly since it was a direct offshoot of the bi-annual CFC elections that saw Frank Padilla and his group defeated^{[citation needed]}, caused a division of membership within CFC^{[citation needed]}, as some of its membership migrated to Foundation for Family and Life (FFL). FFL, in a daring move, applied and was granted approval by SEC to use a defunct CFC foundation created in the 1980s, the Couples for Christ Foundation, Inc. The group continues to use the name, despite a Vatican admonition that "no other group may use Couples for Christ" in their name other than Couples For Christ Global Mission's Foundation, Inc.

CFC leaders have stated that they are open to reconciliation with FFL, but do not expect a quick resolution, particularly since Padilla, current FFL Servant-General, continues to insist that only FFL is recognized by the Vatican. He bases this assertion on a statement issued by one official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines who 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. Abroad, FFL may not use CFC in their names” FFL is the name used in the USA. The Vatican has not revoked the recognition given to CFC, evidence cited by CFC that indeed it is the Vatican-recognized CFC.

Padilla's claim to be the founder of CFC^{[citation needed]}, which is supported by 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.

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

Last 2009, CFC-Global found itself being split again into 2 groups, CFC-IC and CFC-GK. This WAS triggered when the existing conflict between CFC and GK leaders resurfaced^{[citation needed]}. The International Council (IC) fired several GK leaders^{[citation needed]} because of a mere reason of having a "GK heart". There is only one CFC, Couples for Christ, who was founded by Christ himself through LNP. There is no CFC-FFL, CFC-IC or CFC-GK. Only one CFC!

References

1. ^ Stravinskas, Peter M. J. (1991). Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, Incorporated. p. 790. ISBN 0879736690. http://books.google.com/?id=vJ78Vd4O9d4C&pg=PA790&lpg=PA790&dq=what+is+pontifical+right#v=onepage&q=what%20is%20pontifical%20right&f=false. Retrieved October 8, 2010. 
2. ^ About Couples for Christ
3. ^ Associations of the Faithful: A Working Definition
4. ^ Directory of International Associations of the Faithful

See also

• Church Movement

External links

• Couples for Christ official website
• Couples for Christ USA
• Couples for Christ QATAR