 Official logo of the association | |
| Founder | |
|---|---|
| Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (Filipino for “The Joy of the Lord”) | |
| Religions | |
| Christianity (Catholicism) | |
| Website | |
www |
TheCouples for Christ (CFC) is an internationalCatholiclay ecclesial movement[1] whose goal is to renew and strengthenChristian values.[2] It is one of 123International Associations of the Faithful.[3][4]
The organization is linked to theVatican through thePontifical Council for the Laity, and is led by an International Council based in the Philippines under theCatholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. The community consists of family ministries, social arms, andanti-abortion ministries.
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Couples for Christ (CFC) was established in 1981 by the charismatic community Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP;Filipino for "The Joy of the Lord") inManila. Its target groups were primarily married couples, inviting prospective couples to a private home for a series of weeklygospel discussions.
Since 1993, CFC had also started other demographic-specific groups, including "Kids for Christ," "Youth for Christ," "Singles for Christ," "Handmaids of the Lord" and "Servants of the Lord."
In 1996, CFC was approved by theCatholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines as a National Private Association of Lay Faithful and recognized in 2000 by theHoly See as a privateinternational association of the lay faithful ofPontifical Right.
CFC is present in dioceses across all 81Philippine provinces and 163 countries. It sent participants to theExtraordinary Synod on the Family organised byPope Francis in 2014.[5][6]
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Any married couple can become members of CFC, provided the organization acknowledges their marriage as valid. Although a Catholic movement/organization, CFC also accepts non-Catholic Christians.
New members must attend a series of seminars known as the “Christian Life Program” (CLP). After this, couples who agree to commit themselves to active participation in the organization are placed in acell group called "households," consisting of 4 to 7 couples under the pastoral care of a couple as a household head.
The CLP is also mandatory for those who wish to join one of the organization's other, demographic specific groups such as Singles for Christ.
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In 2014, an update of the Christian Life Program has been released to reflect that CFC is explicitlyCatholic, truly global, and devotedlyMarian.[7]
ANCOP stands for Answering the Cry of the Poor. It is an umbrella program made for the purpose of consolidating CFC's efforts in 'Building the Church of the Poor,' essentially a social outreach undertaking. Shelter-building for the poor and child-education sponsorship are among its dominant sub-programs. Certain aspects affecting the society are also being addressed through the ANCOP program, such as health, education, livelihood and community development activities.
As a social outreach program, ANCOP also involves sectors such as migrants and their families, uniformed personnel, those in prison, and environment stakeholders. Through ANCOP, sub-organizations like cooperatives and mini-programs like The Cornerstone have materialized.
This is a program of CFC and its Family ministries in the cooperation with Ateneo Center for Educational Development. The main objective of this program is to help grades 2 and 3 students in public schools on how to read and understand English. SFC members take the lead in teaching the students and providing them Values formation activities.
ABLAZE Communications, or simply "ABLAZE" is registered as a subsidiary of Couples for Christ. It is involved in the production of audio-visual presentations and merchandizing of products.[8]
Liveloud is an annual praise and worship event first staged in 2009 featuring Catholic Christian Music.[9][10]
The CFC has opposed the legality of divorce in the Philippines. In June, 2024, it published amanifesto arguing against divorces.[11]
| International associations of the faithful |
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| Other associations of the faithful |
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