en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en ru en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en es en es en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en fr en en en en en nl en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en sv en en de en en en en en de en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en
Pontifical delegate charged with reforming group linked to Communion and Liberation after it fails to modify statutes
Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda is already the canonical advisor of the Legionaries of Christ since 2014. (Photo: NEWSCATOLISCHE)
By Nicolas Senèze | Vatican City
The Vatican has appointed Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, a noted Jesuit canon lawyer and former rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, to temporarily lead and reform the Memores Domini, the consecrated lay branch of Communion and Liberation (CL) Movement.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell -- prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life -- announced Ghirlanda's appointment as pontifical delegate during a June 26 meeting with the leaders of Memores Domini, according to Italian journalist Aldo Maria Valli.
The Irish-American cardinal reportedly told them that the Holy See was concerned about the "worrying suspension of associative life" within their branch of the CL movement.
He also recalled that his dicastery had "repeatedly urged the president, beginning on May 29, 2018, to proceed with modifying certain rules in the directory and reforming the statutes". However, "no proposal for a revision has reached the Vatican" up to now.
Four "Memores Domini" at the service of Benedict XVI
Cardinal Farrel said Pope Francis had agreed to the appointment of Father Ghirlanda as pontifical delegate of the group in order to "guide it in the process of revising the directory and the statutes and, at the same time, to resolve certain associative problems already pointed out by the dicastery".
The Memores Domini were founded in 1964 in Milian by former high school students of Father Luigi Giussani, founder of Communion and Liberation.
Their goal was to lead a contemplative and apostolic life by following the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Today they have 1,600 members in 32 countries, four of whom have been serving Benedict XVI for many years.
"Welcoming the voice of the Church with docility and an ecclesial spirit"
After Giussani's death in 2005, Father Julian Carron succeeded the CL founder as president and also became the spiritual assistant of Memores.
According to the Askanews agency, "Carron, who soon after his succession impressed upon the life of the movement a style more spiritual than the one, rather more militant, of the past."
The discontented "old guard" of Communion and Liberation went to the Roman authorities about a year ago to complain about the president's role as spiritual assistant to the Memores, which promoted the Vatican's intervention.
Pope Francis last January then wrote to the president of Memores Domini, Antonella Frongillo, asking here "to welcome with docility and an ecclesial spirit the voice of the Church, which is responsible for ensuring the proper exercise of the charisms".
Moves to put things in order
The Vatican's decision comes as part of efforts over the past several years to restore order in the new communities of all varieties.
Among the groups that have been put under a pontifical delegate are the Legionaries of Christ, for which Father Ghirlanda has been the Vatican-appointed canonical official since 2014, following his inspection of the Legion's lay movement, Regnum Christi.
The Holy See has also intervened in the Latin American lay movement Sodalicio, as well as the Heralds of the Gospel; and, most recently, the Ecumenical Monastery of Bose.
Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.
You may also like
Corsica mobilizes against sexual violence
India's shocking toll of custodial deaths
Pope endorses UN Security Council resolution calling for a global ceasefire
Greek Orthodox archbishop in Jerusalem calls for prayers to end suffering
Prominent French Catholics issue call for Church reform
SUPPORT LA CROIX INTERNATIONAL’S COMMUNITY OF READERS
Support La Croix International's unique blend of international Catholic journalism by making it available to people in Asia and Africa who can't afford a subscription and often don't have credit cards to pay for it either.
Synodal virtues: valuing and extending theological education
Recently ordained Congolese bishop is big on synodality
Church leaders should engage social media’s Catholic influencers
The business of simply living a normal social life
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
Why Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Elizabeth II, the “last Christian monarch”, has died
A challenge for Europe
Shaking up the economy
Peace, our common good
For 70 years she “was” the United Kingdom
Cooperation rather than competition
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Francis continues his push for a humbler, more open Church
The pope and the praying menace
What was the August meeting of cardinals really about?
Is Christian hospitality enough?
"What fraternity does assisted suicide build?"
Live, learn, forget, repeat
When timing is paramount
The pandemic, Christian faith and the perils of kids living in the digital world
"It’s been powerful to watch people enunciate a theology of care for creation"
Laudato si’ guides Indian archdiocese to help fisherfolk
Brazilian bishops stand up for the Yanomami people
The Gaia Man, James Lovelock
Pope calls for a new relationship with God, others and Creation
| Catholic Digest | UCAN | Living in faith | La Croix Africa | La Croix español
About Us | Contact Us| Newsletter Sign-up| Donate| Terms and Conditions| FAQ| La Croix| Confidentiality Policy| Sitemap