Community of Pope John XXIII

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Pope John XXIII

The community of Pope John XXIII. ( Italian : Comunità papa Giovanni XXIII. ) is an association of believers in the Roman Catholic Church . It was founded in 1968 and bears the name of Pope Saint John XXIII. In 2004 the community was recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity as an international association of the faithful. It has around 1,850 members in over 25 countries around the world. Since 2006, the association has had an advisory role in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations .

history

The Italian priest Oreste Benzi is considered to be the originator of the association . The priest, who was also a religion teacher , worked with adolescents. In the earlier years of his work he had set up meeting places for young people. In 1968 he founded the association "Community of Pope John XXIII" with a group of young people and priests. and set up a joint summer camp . In 1973 the association opened the first family house in Rimini , from there the community spread worldwide.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Rimini Emilio Biancheri granted in 1975 the episcopal approbation for the Diocese of Rimini; In 1980 Don Benzi made the official application for recognition as an association of believers. In 1983 the association was recognized by the Italian Bishops' Conference . At the beginning of the 1990s, the organization had expanded beyond Italy's borders, with the result that Benzi applied for papal approval in 1994. The statutes have been revised in accordance with canon law and the requirements of the Second Vatican Council and approved by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On March 25, 2004 it was recognized as an international association under papal law.

Self-image

The members of the community of Pope John XXIII. want to share their lives with the poorest. In around 500 houses around the world, they live as a family with those who otherwise have no family: foster children , people with disabilities , addicts , homeless people , prisoners , forced prostitutes , mothers in need, refugees , street children .

The spiritual basis is formed by five focal points: to share life with the poorest and the last, to lead a poor life, to create spaces for prayer and meditation, to lead a life of obedience and brotherly love. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary year, Pope John Paul II stated during a speech:

“With special affection I greet your founder and responsible person, dear Don Oreste Benzi, whom I thank for the words he addressed to me on behalf of all of you. My greetings go to his collaborators, the priests, the religious and to all who belong in various ways to your meritorious association, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary these days [...] From the beginning, since Don Oreste Benzi was the first house family community , your community, which has been recognized for several months as an international private association of believers under papal law, has distinguished itself for its special service to the least of all and for its true compassion. She is always anxious to lovingly give new life force to all those who, for various reasons, are without families [...] Your community has been continually encouraged by your bishops and maintains cordial relations with the dioceses and parishes in which it works. The intention is to expand your activity territorially. This results in a collaboration with public and private social structures, without, however, neglecting the Christian inspiration of the community, by which it always orientates itself and which animates it your brethren will achieve their ultimate goal if it is based on the primacy of God's love. In order to give true love to the brothers it is necessary to draw them from God. Therefore you spend a lot of time praying and listening to the word of God, and you base your whole existence on Christ. "

- Pope John Paul II

From the community of Pope John XXIII. the late Sandra Sabattini (* August 19, 1961, † May 2, 1984) deserves special honor. Her beatification process was initiated, and her tomb became a place of pilgrimage for young people.

Organization and dissemination

Today the association is represented in 25 countries, including Albania , Australia , Bangladesh , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , China , Croatia , Georgia , Kenya , Kosovo , India , Israel / Palestine , Italy , Moldova , Netherlands , San Marino , Romania , Russia , Spain , Sri Lanka , Tanzania , Uganda , Venezuela and Zambia . The association has its headquarters in Rimini. All member countries are organized in “zones”, each of which is managed by a “zone officer”. The zones are divided into groups, which are consequently led by a “group leader”, the smallest unit is the “family”. All members elect a “central officer” who, together with the zone officers, forms the “management council”.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bishop Emilio Biancheri † [1]
  2. ↑ Address of John Paul II to the members of the community of Pope John XXIII. on Monday, November 29, 2004) [2]
  3. ↑ Sandra Sabattini - A brief biography by Father Fausto Lanfranchi (English) Archive link ( Memento from March 16, 2013 in the Internet Archive )