Foundation for Family and Life
Encyclopedia
The Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC FFL) is a Philippine-based Catholic charismatic
lay community that emphasizes family life renewal and evangelization. It was founded in 2007 by former leaders and members of Couples for Christ-Global Missions Foundation (CFC-GMFI)
, another Catholic organization. It is recognized in various archdioceses and dioceses around the Philippines and has a number of international affiliations.
(GK) is being suppressed.
On June 22, 2007 the CFC Elders Assembly was held to elect the members of the CFC International Council and the Board of Elders. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recommended that the elections be postponed in favor of further dialog with the Easter Group. The Elders Assembly declined the recommendation, and proceeded with the election. The Easter group argued that by declining the recommendation of the CBCP, CFC has disobeyed the Roman Catholic Church
. This event and continuing disagreements regarding Gawad Kalinga
galvanized the Easter Group to separate, and form the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.
The group was established on August 1, 2007 when Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the bishop of Antipolo, officially recognized it as a private association of the faithful in his diocese. CFC FFL's break-away from GMFI was officially declared after their leaders met with Philippine bishops
on August 28, 2007.
The CFC FFL incorporation papers, filed to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) on August 2, 2007 under the name "Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life", was placed on hold pending the resolution of a complaint filed by the Couples for Christ
organization on the use of the same name. However, on June 5, 2008 the SEC approved a petition of the group to revive and use the corporate name originally established in 1984, "Couples for Christ Foundation, Inc". This ruling is also challenged by Couples for Christ and remains a current legal dispute.
Within CFC FFL are various social ministries such as community building, empowerment of women, prison, health, education and pro-life
. It also has age-specific pastoral ministries collectively known as the Family Ministries such as Kids for Family and Life, Youth for Family and Life, Singles for Family and Life (for unmarried adults below the age of 40), Handmaids for Family and Life (for women above 40), and Servants for Family and Life (for men above 40).
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church. Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata , bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as...
lay community that emphasizes family life renewal and evangelization. It was founded in 2007 by former leaders and members of Couples for Christ-Global Missions Foundation (CFC-GMFI)
Couples for Christ
The Couples for Christ is an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement whose goal is to renew and strengthen Christian family life and values. It is one of 122 International Associations of the Faithful The organization was affiliated with the Vatican recognition from the Pontifical Council...
, another Catholic organization. It is recognized in various archdioceses and dioceses around the Philippines and has a number of international affiliations.
History
CFC FFL originally started as a restoration movement within CFC; this was led by the Easter Group. The movement began on April 8, 2007, following the dissemination of then CFC Director Francisco Padilla's paper "CFC and GK 3: At the Crossroads on our Journey of Hope and Joy," which argued that, among other things, CFC's identity and presence in Gawad KalingaGawad Kalinga
Gawad Kalinga , which means to "give care" in Filipino, is officially known as the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement....
(GK) is being suppressed.
On June 22, 2007 the CFC Elders Assembly was held to elect the members of the CFC International Council and the Board of Elders. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) recommended that the elections be postponed in favor of further dialog with the Easter Group. The Elders Assembly declined the recommendation, and proceeded with the election. The Easter group argued that by declining the recommendation of the CBCP, CFC has disobeyed the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. This event and continuing disagreements regarding Gawad Kalinga
Gawad Kalinga
Gawad Kalinga , which means to "give care" in Filipino, is officially known as the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement....
galvanized the Easter Group to separate, and form the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.
The group was established on August 1, 2007 when Bishop Gabriel Reyes, the bishop of Antipolo, officially recognized it as a private association of the faithful in his diocese. CFC FFL's break-away from GMFI was officially declared after their leaders met with Philippine bishops
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines is the official organization of the Catholic episcopacy in the Philippines. Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu is the current president while Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan is the current Vice President. The CBCP has 99 active...
on August 28, 2007.
The CFC FFL incorporation papers, filed to the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)
The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is a Philippine state commission responsible for securities laws and regulating the securities industry. The SEC is an agency within the Philippine Department of Finance....
(SEC) on August 2, 2007 under the name "Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life", was placed on hold pending the resolution of a complaint filed by the Couples for Christ
Couples for Christ
The Couples for Christ is an international Catholic lay ecclesial movement whose goal is to renew and strengthen Christian family life and values. It is one of 122 International Associations of the Faithful The organization was affiliated with the Vatican recognition from the Pontifical Council...
organization on the use of the same name. However, on June 5, 2008 the SEC approved a petition of the group to revive and use the corporate name originally established in 1984, "Couples for Christ Foundation, Inc". This ruling is also challenged by Couples for Christ and remains a current legal dispute.
Organization
According to CFC FFL statutes, members of CFC FFL are organized into cell groups called a Household. A group of Households form a larger grouping, and such larger groupings form an even larger grouping, forming a pyramidal structure. The pastoral and administrative structure of each CFC FFL group depends on whether it is a fully integrated group or an affiliated group. The former is defined as a constituent part of the global CFC FFL community while the later is an autonomous group adhering to the core principles of CFC FFL.Within CFC FFL are various social ministries such as community building, empowerment of women, prison, health, education and pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
. It also has age-specific pastoral ministries collectively known as the Family Ministries such as Kids for Family and Life, Youth for Family and Life, Singles for Family and Life (for unmarried adults below the age of 40), Handmaids for Family and Life (for women above 40), and Servants for Family and Life (for men above 40).