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| Communauté de l'Emmanuel | |
|---|---|
| Name | Communauté de l'Emmanuel |
| Formation | 1972 |
| Type | Catholic lay ecclesial movement |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Founder | Pierre Goursat; Martine Laffitte-Catta |
| Membership | lay members, priests, seminarians, consecrated men and women |
| Parent organization | Catholic Church |
Communauté de l'Emmanuel Communauté de l'Emmanuel is a Catholic lay ecclesial movement founded in France in 1972 by Pierre Goursat and Martine Laffitte-Catta, with roots in the post‑Conciliar renewal associated with the Second Vatican Council, Charismatic Renewal, and Taizé Community. The community developed a distinctive emphasis on Eucharistic adoration, evangelization and formation, interacting with institutions such as the Holy See, the Diocese of Paris, and international networks like the Pontifical Council for the Laity. It has drawn members from diverse backgrounds connected to Université catholique de Louvain, Institut Catholique de Paris, and seminaries in Rome and Lyon.
The foundation in 1972 followed influences from figures and movements including Pierre Goursat, Martine Laffitte-Catta, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Jean Vanier, and links to communities such as Community of Sant'Egidio and Taizé Community. Early expansion occurred through pilgrimages to Lourdes, participation in World Youth Day 1989 and World Youth Day 1997, partnerships with diocesan bishops like Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger and collaborations with religious orders including the Society of Jesus and Dominican Order. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the Community engaged with institutions such as the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and the European Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.
The community’s spirituality synthesizes elements from Ignatian spirituality, Francis of Assisi, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and the Charismatic Renewal with pastoral practices inspired by Eucharistic adoration, Lectio divina, and devotion to the Virgin Mary. Its charism emphasizes evangelization, reconciliation, and formation influenced by mentors and authors like Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and spiritual traditions associated with Benedictine and Carmelite heritage.
Organizationally the Community is organized into branches of consecrated men, consecrated women, lay members, priests and seminarians, with governance models referencing canonical supervision by diocesan bishops and oversight from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Leadership roles have interacted with figures such as Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, and advisory contacts at the Vatican. Statutes and internal governance draw on canonical precedents from Code of Canon Law and collaborations with juridical entities like the Pontifical Council for the Laity and university canon law faculties at Pontifical Gregorian University.
The Community operates parish missions, evangelization teams, youth work linked to World Youth Day, retreats modeled on Ignatian retreats, and charitable outreach cooperating with organizations such as Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, and Médecins Sans Frontières in contexts including Louvain, Lisbon, and Kinshasa. It runs formation houses, seminary partnerships with the Institut Catholique de Paris and service projects in collaboration with Sisters of Charity and diocesan social services like those overseen by Archdiocese of Paris and Archdiocese of Lyon.
Formation programs include stages of initial evangelization, ongoing catechesis, and consecration preparation influenced by curricula at Institut de Formation Theologique, Pontifical Lateran University, and catechetical resources from Congregation for the Clergy. Membership categories parallel canonical models of lay associations and religious institutes, with vows or promises for consecrated members and commitments for lay associates; formation involves study of texts by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and spiritual writers like Jean Vanier and Henri de Lubac.
From its headquarters in Paris the Community expanded to countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia, establishing houses and missions in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, India, Philippines, Japan, and Australia. The international reach brought interactions with episcopal conferences including the French Bishops' Conference, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Brazilian Bishops' Conference, and ecumenical encounters involving World Council of Churches partners.
The Community has faced scrutiny and criticism involving canonical status, internal governance, and handling of misconduct, prompting investigations and interventions by entities such as the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and national episcopal conferences. High-profile debates engaged media outlets and legal systems in France and elsewhere, drawing comparisons to controversies involving other movements like Opus Dei and prompting responses referencing norms from the Code of Canon Law and review processes used by the Holy See. Critics cited concerns raised by theologians and journalists associated with institutions such as Institut Catholique de Paris and commentators linked to Le Monde and La Croix, while defenders appealed to endorsements by bishops and collaboration with Caritas Internationalis and diocesan authorities.
Category:Catholic lay movements