1974

1974
Birth of the Christian Training Community

1980

1980
First shipments abroad: Benin, Belgium, Chile and Malaysia

1991

1991
Major crisis: resignation of the founder

1995

1995
Obtaining diocesan rights status

2008

2008
Obtaining the status of pontifical rights

2023

2023
Reorganization into international co-presidency

FONDACIO, A COMMUNITY OBTAINED FROM THE CHARISMATIC RENEWAL

1974

Birth of the Christian Training Community

Fondacio began in 1974 in Poitiers with what was then called the Christian Training Community (CCF), which emerged from a charismatic prayer group, under the leadership of Jean-Michel and Jane Rousseau. The goal from the beginning was to train a new figure of lay people called to the apostolate in the heart of the world and invited, in a new way, to creativity in the explicit proclamation of the Gospel. In five years, more than 250 young people from all over France moved to join the community, whose pillars are prayer, human and spiritual formation, community life, and radicalism for God.

1980

First shipments abroad: Benin, Belgium, Chile and Malaysia

In 1980, following a call from bishops and lay people, some members left to found communities in Chile, Belgium, Benin, and Malaysia. During the 1980s, the community diversified into new countries and to other audiences: "Christians for the New City" (CCN) for leaders, then, in 1983, the New Christian Communities (NCC) for people involved in parishes. Later came the Christian Communities of Adolescents (CCA), "Rural Renewal," the Diaspora, and the Community of Elders. All of these communities came together under the name "New World Foundations."

1991

Major crisis: resignation of the founder

In 1991, the founder was forced to resign following the discovery of sexual abuse and control phenomena in the context of spiritual and work support. This departure triggered a major crisis within the community. With the support and confirmation of the Bishop of Versailles, the President of the Episcopal Conference of Chile, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Malines-Brussels, an assembly of 1,200 people from around ten countries where the New World Foundations were present at the time decided to continue the adventure as a Christian community within the Catholic Church. An International Council was then established to ensure the leadership of the community spread across around ten countries.

1995

Obtaining diocesan rights status

The following years were marked by a reinterpretation of this period, with several working commissions accompanied by theologians and Church leaders. The result of collaboration with several bishops, Fondacio strengthened its ecclesial ties and was recognized as a private association of the faithful under diocesan law by the Bishop of Versailles in 1995.
These were also years of mission deployment through evangelization, training, and the development of solidarity projects in the various countries where the organization was established. Following the experience gained in France in the 2000s, training institutes were created in the Philippines, Togo, and Latin America. In 2003, the association's definitive name, at the international level, became Fondacio.

2008

Obtaining the status of pontifical rights

Every five years since 2000, a Congress has brought together around a hundred leaders from all the countries where Fondacio operates to vote on the guidelines for the term of office and elect the President and Council. In 2008, Fondacio was granted pontifical status by the Vatican.
At the same time, after 17 years in office, a difficult handover to the new president elected by the International Congress triggered a governance crisis that led to a request for assistance from the Church authorities. Recommendations were made that legitimized the current governance rules, the President elected by the Congress, and his Council.
The work undertaken and the new organizational arrangements then allow for a renewed missionary momentum throughout the world. Training Institutes and solidarity projects are being consolidated, and new training proposals and the proclamation of hope in Jesus Christ, better adapted to the changes in our societies, are beginning to develop.

2023

Reorganization into international co-presidency

The 2023 Congress introduces a new governance model with a co-presidency composed of five people from various countries. This shared governance model, previously tested in some countries, is becoming the preferred formula that is gradually being implemented in all the countries where Fondacio operates. It seeks effective co-responsibility, decentralization, and greater capacity for initiative close to local communities.