Couples for Christ
Foundation for Family and Life
Area Governance and Structure

Our pastoral-organizational structure is as follows:

1)

CFC-FFL is established in areas (province, state, etc.) and dioceses. Areas and dioceses intersect in 3 different ways:

		a.	The area has one diocese, that is, the territory of the area and the diocese is the same;
		b.	The area has more than one diocese;
		c.	The diocese encompasses more than one area.

	2)	CFC-FFL in an area is headed by an Area Servant (AS), living in the area, who is the top leader in the area1. He is appointed by the Area Coordinator (AC), living outside the area, with the approval of the Region Coordinator (RC). All areas where CFC-FFL is established have an AS.
	3)	A mature CFC-FFL group in a diocese will be considered a district, and a District Servant (DS) appointed by Manila. The DS will be assisted by a core team of 3 to 10 brethren (men and women), to be chosen by the DS but subject to the approval of the AC.

		a.	If the territory of the area and the diocese is the same, then the AS and the DS is the same person.
		b.	If an area has more than one diocese, the AS and the DS can be different persons. If an area has more than one diocese but there is as yet only one district, the AS and the DS can also be the same person.
		c.	If a diocese encompasses more than one area and the CFC-FFL group in the diocese has been designated a district, the DS heads the CFC-FFL group in the whole diocese, but collaborates with the AS or ASs of the different areas.

4)

CFC-FFL in an area that is not yet qualified to be a district is considered a Mission Area.

The process of establishing a district and choosing the DS is as follows:

	1)	The AC deems it timely to recognize the CFC-FFL group in a diocese as a district.
	2)	The AC consults with the top leaders of the CFC-FFL group. Such consultation can involve a confidential “election” process.
	3)	The AC submits a list of two or three candidates, ranked according to priority, to the RC.
	4)	The RC submits his recommendation to the Servant General (SG) for final approval (in the Philippines). In other countries, the RC submits his recommendation to the CoS, who submits his recommendation to the SG for final approval.
	5)	The DS serves indefinitely, subject to change by the SG.