| 1.0 |
|
Nature
and Purpose |
| 1.1 |
|
COUPLES
FOR CHRIST FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY AND LIFE (CFC-FFL)
is a private association of faithful committed
to the work of evangelization and family life
renewal. |
| 1.2
|
|
CFC-FFL
is a missionary body, and the families that make
up this association are to be families that will
be instruments of the Holy Spirit in renewing
the face of the earth. |
| |
|
|
| 2.0
|
|
Vision
and Mission |
|
2.1
|
|
The
family is God’s work and CFC-FFL is called
to defend and strengthen it. CFC-FFL is called
to bring families back to the plan of God. It
is called to bring the Lord’s strength and
light to those who are struggling to be truly
Christian families in the modern world. |
|
2.2 |
|
CFC-FFL
works for Christian family renewal at various
levels--the individual, the family, the larger
community. |
|
2.21
|
|
Individual
renewal. CFC-FFL takes the basic message
of Christianity and proclaims it anew so that
those who hear it can make a renewed commitment
to God in a way that will enable them to participate
more fully with the work of the Holy Spirit in
their lives and in the world. |
|
2.22
|
|
Family
renewal. As individuals renew their commitment
to God, they also renew their commitment to their
spouse and to their Christian family life. Gradually,
the new life that they find in the Lord filters
down to all their family relationships. |
|
2.23
|
|
Church
renewal. As individual families are renewed,
they form a network of committed Christian families
that not only support one another but also strengthen
the local church of which they are members. |
|
2.231
|
|
CFC-FFL
is committed to work for Catholic re-evangelization
first and foremost, but looks to the ideal of
Christian unity and will also serve the other
Christian Churches whenever possible, in full
respect and in conformity with the Catholic identity
of the association. |
|
2.232
|
|
CFC-FFL
is committed to building up vibrant Christian
communities in the parishes, dioceses and localities
where its members congregate. |
|
2.24
|
|
Societal
renewal. CFC-FFL, in raising holy Christian
men and women, likewise raises responsible members
of society, who seek to apply their faith in the
daily situations they encounter, being salt and
light in the world . |
|
2.3
|
|
CFC-FFL
carries out its mission of renewal by focusing
on three basic areas—evangelization and
mission, family life renewal, and total Christian
liberation and development. |
|
2.31 |
|
Evangelization
and Church renewal. CFC-FFL exists to evangelize.
Every CFCFFL member is to be and evangelizer and
is to live an evangelistic lifestyle. |
| 2.311 |
|
CFC-FFL
is a missionary community. It is committed to
bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of
the earth, and in this regard, will field missionaries
on an ongoing basis. |
|
2.32
|
|
Family
life renewal. CFC-FFL’s work of evangelization,
formation and support is situated in the context
of vibrant Christian family living. |
|
23.21 |
|
CFC-FFL
is committed to the defense and strengthening
of families and of Christian family values. |
|
2.33 |
|
Total
Christian liberation and development. CFC-FFL
is committed to work for the liberation of the
human person from the chains of personal and corporate
sin, through its three thrusts of work with the
poor, work for justice, and work for life. |
| 2.4 |
|
CFC-FFL
places a particular emphasis on promoting and
defending the Culture of Life |
| |
|
|
| 3.0 |
|
Our
Core Values |
| 3.1 |
|
Our
Core Values describe who we are and what we are
called to do in the world. They provide parameters
and constant guideposts in our moving on in our
life and mission. |
| 3.2 |
|
CFC-FFL
has 7 Core Values.
-
Centered on Christ.
-
Evangelistic and missionary.
-
Focused on the family.
-
Being community.
-
Living a preferential option for the poor.
-
Exercising servant leadership.
-
Being a servant to the Church.
|
| |
|
|
| 4.0
|
|
Membership |
| 4.1
|
|
Membership
in CFC-FFL is open to any validly married Catholic
couple, and to other individuals through its Family
and Special Ministries. |
| 4.11
|
|
Though
a Catholic community, CFC-FFL is open to membership
by non-Catholic Christians, who can join as associate
members. Associate members can participate fully
in the non-sacramental life and mission of CFC-FFL,
and must recognize and defer to the Catholic nature
of the community. Non-Catholic associates, though
remaining faithful to their Church, have to accept,
respect, and defer to the principles and teachings
of the Catholic Church on marriage, human sexuality
and the family. |
| 4.2
|
|
Those
who want to join CFC-FFL go through a seminar
called a Christian Life Seminar (CLS) for adults,
or a Youth Camp for young adults. The CLS and
Youth Camp are integrated courses leading to a
renewed understanding of God’s call to Christians,
to a personal response of accepting Jesus as Savior
and Lord, and to receiving a renewed outpouring
of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Young children
also join CFC-FFL through a Kids Camp. |
| 4.21
|
|
After
the CLS or Youth Camp, those who finish are considered
underway members, and after the Covenant Recollection
(CR) are invited to join CFC-FFL as full members,
demonstrating their commitment by accepting the
CFC-FFL covenant. |
| 4.3 |
|
Other
forms of membership may be authorized by the Servant
General, such as for clerics and religious, or
for auxiliaries and affiliates. |
| 4.4 |
|
Membership
may be terminated by the leadership for any of
the following reasons: |
| |
|
- Serious
unrepented wrongdoing.
-
Gross unfaithfulness to the covenant of CFC-FFL.
-
Public opposition to CFC-FFL teachings and
culture, as well as official Church teachings.
-
Ongoing disruption of good order in the community.
-
Any other act that would seriously undermine
the life and mission of CFC-FFL.
|
| 4.41 |
|
Any
member may voluntarily leave CFC-FFL at any time
and for any reason. |
| |
|
|
| 5.0
|
|
Corporate
Life and Formation |
| 5.1
|
|
Those
who join CFC-FFL are made part of a small cell
group called a household. The household members
meet regularly for mutual support and encouragement
in the Christian life. |
| 5.11
|
|
The
household meetings, normally held in the homes
of the group members on rotation basis, would
normally involve some time for prayers, a time
for sharing or discussion, and finally some time
for fellowship. |
| 5.2
|
|
All
members undergo continuing formation both in the
Christian life and also in the life and mission
of CFC-FFL. |
| 5.3
|
|
Members
of CFC-FFL are related to one another as brothers
and sisters in Christ. As such, their relationship
is not to be functional but should reflect the
intimacy of Christian love, caring and sharing. |
| |
|
|
| 6.0
|
|
Organization |
| 6.1
|
|
The
household is the basic cell grouping in CFC-FFL.
It is in the household where members share their
lives more intimately and support one another
in their spiritual growth. |
| 6.2
|
|
Households
form a unit, units form a chapter, chapters form
a cluster, and clusters form a district. All these
form a pyramidal structure of pastoral care and
governance. |
| 6.3 |
|
The
pastoral groupings conform to Church pastoral
and territorial structures. Districts conform
to the diocese, clusters to the vicariate, and
chapters to the parish. |
| 6.4 |
|
CFC-FFL
may establish itself as a foundation or corporation
or formal association, in accordance with local
and/or national laws, for purposes of conducting
transactions as a juridical entity, under any
appropriate name. Such juridical personality however
does not supersede the more basic reality that
CFC-FFL is a spiritual movement and a Christian
community with its own organization, government
and patterns of life. |
| |
|
|
| 7.0
|
|
Leadership
and Government |
| 7.1
|
|
There
are many levels of leadership in CFC-FFL. Whatever
the level, it is to be a servant leadership, following
the example of Jesus. |
| 7.11
|
|
All
leaders take responsibility for the life and mission
of the body. As such, all leaders must work as
a cohesive team, relating with loyalty as brothers
to one another, always acting in charity. |
| 7.2 |
|
Overall
leadership and governance are exercised by the
Servant General (SG). The Servant General acts
as keeper of the charism and governs the life
and mission of the worldwide community. |
| 7.21 |
|
To
provide personal pastoral cover, the Servant General
has a priest as Spiritual Director. In addition,
other seniors provide fraternal correction as
needed. |
| 7.22 |
|
The
founder of Couples for Christ is the first Servant
General. |
| 7.23 |
|
The
founder serves as Servant General until he dies
or voluntarily steps down for reasons of health
or incapacity. |
| 7.3 |
|
The
Servant General appoints individuals who will
assist him in the leadership and governance of
CFC-FFL. The Servant General would normally undertake
a process of consultation with other seniors prior
to appointments. |
| 7.31 |
|
The
Servant General appoints a Body of Counselors,
who help provide wisdom, understanding, direction
and discernment |
| 7.32 |
|
The
Servant General is assisted in governing the worldwide
community by Country Servants, District Servants
and by Chapter Servants, plus other seniors to
whom he would delegate authority to govern. |
| 7.33 |
|
Other
leaders are appointed by the Servant General,
or by those to whom he delegates such authority.
|
| 7.34 |
|
Leaders
are chosen on the basis of capability, pastoral
experience and growth in holiness and discipleship.
Leaders are not chosen merely on the basis of
seniority in CFC-FFL membership, experience or
leadership in other religious organizations, or
leadership in secular organizations. |
| 7.35 |
|
Leaders
may be removed if it becomes obvious that they
are no longer able to carry out their responsibilities
effectively. Such removal is done with due and
just process. |
| 7.4 |
|
When
the founder dies or has voluntarily stepped down
as Servant General, a successor as Servant General
will be elected by a minimum seventy percent (70%)
vote of all those physically present in a constituent
assembly, the eligible members of which are: (1)
all members of the Body of Counselors (Manila),
(2) all members of the International Core of Seniors,
plus their spouses, (3) all District Servants
in the Philippines, and (4) all Country Servants
of countries with at least 300 CFC-FFL members.
Persons who are listed more than once will have
only one vote. |
| 7.41 |
|
The
founder has the option of appointing the Servant
General to succeed him, in which case there is
no election. On the other hand, the founder also
has the other option of designating a list of
candidates that can be voted on by the constituent
assembly per 7.4, in which case
there are no further nominations. |
| 7.411 |
|
Subsequent
Servant Generals have no such options as in 7.41. |
| 7.42 |
|
The
Servant General is a male member of any nationality |
| 7.421 |
|
If
the elected Servant General does not live in Manila,
he will have to relocate to Manila, which is the
center of the worldwide community. |
| 7.43 |
|
A
Servant General so elected will have a term of
six (6) years, subject to a second term of six
years if re-elected. He is ineligible for a third
successive term. However, he may be elected again
after having been out of office for at least three
(3) years. Thereafter, the two successive terms
and hiatus of three years apply. |
| 7.44 |
|
When
a Servant General dies or voluntarily steps down
or his term of six years ends, the process of
election in 7.4 is followed |
| 7.45 |
|
The
Body of Counselors in Manila formulates the guidelines
for such elections, unless there are existing
guidelines approved by the Servant General |
| 7.451 |
|
The
Body of Counselors in Manila functions as overseer
during the transition election period. As such,
it oversees day-to-day life and mission but without
making any significant changes in the life, mission
and culture of the community. Further, it cannot
make any appointment of any senior that is subject
to the Servant General’s approval. If absolutely
necessary, it can designate an acting Officer-in-Charge,
whose status is immediately rescinded upon the
election of the new Servant General. |
| |
|
|
| 8.0
|
|
Finances |
| 8.1 |
|
The work of CFC-FFL is generally financed through
the voluntary contributions of its members. |
| 8.2
|
|
CFC-FFL
members are encouraged to also contribute generously
to the material and financial needs of their parish. |
| |
|
|
| 9.0
|
|
CFC-FFL
as a Servant to the Roman Catholic Church |
| 9.1 |
|
CFCFFL
seeks to be a servant to and lay arm of the Catholic
Church in the work of evangelization and family
life renewal. |
| 9.2 |
|
CFC-FFL
will live out its life and mission in communion
with the bishops. |
| 9.21 |
|
CFC-FFL
looks to having a Spiritual Director appointed by
the bishop for the CFC-FFL group within his diocese.
Such Spiritual Director may be the bishop himself,
or at his option, a priest or religious appointed
by him. CFC-FFL also looks to having a Spiritual
Director for the CFC-FFL group within a parish. |
| 9.22 |
|
CFC-FFL
looks to the bishops, in their role as shepherds,
to help provide for the spiritual formation of its
members. |
| 9.3 |
|
CFC-FFL
is committed to the work of renewing and strengthening
Catholics within the Church. |
| 9.4 |
|
CFC-FFL
will conform to and support official and orthodox
Church teachings and stands on issues. |
| 9.41 |
|
CFC-FFL
is committed to rise in defense of the Roman Catholic
Church against the forces that seek to destroy or
weaken her. |
| 9.42 |
|
CFC-FFL
will be open to and will pursue ecumenical relationships
in accordance with the posture of the local Church
hierarchy. CFC-FFL will also be open to inter-religious
dialogue, under the guidance of the Church hierarchy |
| |
|
|
| 10.0 |
|
The
Worldwide Community of CFC-FFL |
| 10.1 |
|
The
work of CFC-FFL may be established in any country
throughout the world. |
| 10.2 |
|
The
different CFC-FFL communities throughout the world
form part of the one worldwide CFC-FFL community. |
| 10.3 |
|
Manila
functions as the center for the work of CFC-FFL
throughout the world. |
| 10.4 |
|
Communities
within the worldwide CFC-FFL community have the
same Vision & Mission, Covenant, and Core
Values. They adopt the same basic formation, pastoral
structures of support (households), and patterns
of life. Alternative formulations can be allowed
upon the approval of the Servant General. |
| 10.41 |
|
A
CFC-FFL community in a particular country can
formulate its own statutes as the need arises.
Such statutes should be in line with and not contradictory
in any way to these International Statutes. Such
individual country-specific statutes should have
the approval of the Servant General. |
| 10.5 |
|
A
CFC-FFL community within a particular country will
decide on its own specific plans and strategies
with which to carry out the CFC-FFL vision and mission,
but always in line with CFC-FFL’s worldwide
direction and thrusts. |
| 10.51 |
|
CFC-FFL
communities in the different countries should look
to local cultural adaptation, without compromising
the essentials of the CFC-FFL life, mission and
culture |
| 10.6 |
|
Being
one worldwide community, the work and well-being
of every CFC-FFL community is a matter of concern
for all others. All CFC-FFL communities should be
open to extending support and cooperation to other
CFC-FFL communities in other countries. |
| 10.61 |
|
CFC-FFL
communities should be open to sharing their resources
with other CFC-FFL communities. This would include
human pastoral resources, finances, teachings, effective
programs and strategies, etc. |
| 10.62 |
|
CFC-FFL
communities in the different countries should take
initiative in pursuing the CFC-FFL vision and mission,
and should work towards being self-sufficient, self-reliant
and self-supporting as to the required human, financial
and logistical resources. |
| 10.7 |
|
An
International Core of Seniors (ICS) is established
in order to further the worldwide mission of CFC-FFL
and to strengthen the fraternal bonds among its
top leaders, especially those of different nationalities. |
| |
|
|
| 11.0
|
|
Amendments |
| 11.1
|
|
Amendments
may be adopted upon the approval of the Servant
General. |
| |
|
*
* * * *
September 06, 2009
|