WHO IS THE COUPLES FOR CHRIST FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY & LIFE (CFCFFL) CANADA?

 

The Couples For Christ Foundation for Family & Life (CFCFFL) is a gathering of Christian  believers having evangelization and family life renewal as its main focus. CFCFFL 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. Although it is based in the Philippines, the membership is also spread throughout the world having members in all continents. It was formed in Manila, Philippines on July 30, 2007 by Frank Padilla, whom many Bishops regard as the founder (charism bearer) of Couples For Christ, a private lay organization duly recognized by the Vatican for which he has been recognized as its Director.

 

On August 1, 2007 Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Chairman, Commission for the Laity, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), issued a Decree of Recognition to CFCFFL, a first step towards securing a national recognition from the Catholic Church in his capacity as Bishop in the Archdiocese of Antipolo, Philippines.  

 

In a joint statement on August 15, 2007, the new National Council of Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation Inc. (CFCGMFI), together with former council members Frank Padilla, Lachie Agana and Tony Meloto, have mutually agreed to separate ways.  However, both parties are not closing the door on remaining as one united CFC.  The formal separation between the two conflicting groups of the Couples for Christ, CFCFFL (Bro. Frank’s group) and CFCGMFI (Bro. Joe Tale’s group), was made on August 28, 2007 in the presence of the Bishops who comprise the Commission for the Laity of the CBCP.  At the end of the meeting, the Bishops acknowledged the existence of two Couples For Christ groups within the Church.  Bishop Reyes, in his clarification statement of September 6, 2007 that “The group of Bro. Frank Padilla will form the Couples for Christ Foundation For Family and Life.  In order to get official recognition from the Church, the new Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life should start as a diocesan association, and then later can apply for recognition as a national association if it branches in other dioceses and even later as an international association.  As a diocesan association, it can go to other dioceses provided the bishop of the place permits.”

 

The restoration movement spread all over the world wherever the CFC is present.  In Canada, the restoration movement phenomenally grew rapidly as soon as CFC members became aware of the issues and facts surrounding the Manila events.  In late July, 9 concerned leaders in Toronto formed the core of the restoration movement in Canada along with other CFC leaders in Alberta, Winnipeg and British Columbia.  The first Restoration Assembly in Canada was held at the Transfiguration Church in Etobicoke, Ontario on August 11, 2007 with Nonong Contreras of the restoration movement in Manila as the guest speaker.  

 

When Couples for Christ, Ontario Inc. (CFCOI) implemented CFCGMFI’s “deemed to have separated” policy on those CFC members who joined the restoration group, CFCFFL was immediately imported in Ontario.  The interim Board of Directors was formed out of the nine (9) key restoration leaders and formally announced its official birth on August 28, 2007.    

 

CFCFFL founder, Frank Padilla returned to Toronto and spoke at the first CFCFFL assemblies held on September 16 and 17 in The Transfiguration Church and St. Thomas More Church respectively for the West and East audiences.  Also on September 17, 2007, CFCFFL’s registration as a charitable organization was approved by the Government of Ontario.  In early part of November, CFCFFL received a letter from Auxiliary Bishop Richard Grecco of the Archdiocese of Toronto appointing Fr. Sherwin Holandez as its Spiritual Advisor.

 

CFCFFL reaffirms that the movement is Global, Holistic and Catholic.  Being global means CFCFFL is an evangelizing and missionary community, serving the universal church.  Holistic refer to CFCFFL being a family life renewal movement, with womb-to-tomb support environment.  Catholic means CFCFFL is an integral part of the life and mission of and a servant within the Roman Catholic Church.

 

As of this writing, CFCFFL (Canada) is present in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa.