1970s: The Beginnings of an Inspired Vision
1970s:
Jean-Michel and Jane Rousseau discover the Word of God community in Ann Arbor. Upon their return, the Poitiers Community, called "l'Aventure", takes shape at 41 rue de la Tranchée.
1974:
Official foundation of the Christian Training Community (CCF) in Poitiers.
Objective: to train young adults to flourish in all their dimensions, human and spiritual.
1979:
Community return: the CCF already brings together 250 young people in Poitiers.
The pillars of the community: prayer, formation, community life, radicalism for God.
1980s: International deployment and diversification
1980
First CCF weekend organized in Chile, following the meeting between Jean-Michel Rousseau and Domingo Santa Maria.
Start of activities in Brussels.
1981:
Appeal from Mgr Patient Redois, Bishop of Natitingou, to found missions in Benin.
Expansion in Africa with establishments in Togo and Burkina Faso.
1983:
Creation of Christians for the New City (CCN), a dynamic aimed at supporting those responsible in society.
Development of diversified projects:
Rural renewal.
“Succeed in life” camp for teenagers.
1987:
Creation of the Centro Los Almendros in Santiago, Chile, a reception center for the Church and society.
1990-2024: Refoundation and Influence
In 1991 the founder had to leave the movement following the discovery of sexual abuse and phenomena of control in the context of spiritual or work support. This departure triggered a major crisis in the community.
The following years were marked by a rereading of this period, supported by the Church, with several working commissions, accompanied by theologians and Church leaders. This work of discernment and clarification of the grace received communally, beyond the initiative taken by a founder, allowed, under the impetus of Gérard Testard, president from 1991 to 2008 and a new Council, to lead to an institutional overhaul.
The result of collaboration with several bishops, Fondacio has strengthened its ecclesial ties and is recognized as a private diocesan association of the faithful under diocesan law by the Bishop of Versailles in 1995, then under pontifical law by the Vatican in 2008. The work undertaken and the new governance arrangements have helped generate new missionary momentum throughout the world.
Shedding light on the history of our movement and allowing victims of abuse of power to come out of their silence and speak out is a firm desire of the institution. After a long period of preparation, an independent Listening Unit was launched in December 2020, as well as a first Study Commission, with information sent to all Fondacio managers and to a certain number of people involved in 1991. Initial testimonies were thus brought to the attention of Fondacio managers and people began to speak out.
In 2022, Fondacio joined the Commission for Recognition and Reparation (CRR) in order to have mediation for the recognition and reparation of victims of sexual abuse who would refer to this body. An independent study commission was set up in March 2024 and its conclusions will be delivered in June 2026.
The operating mode becomes more collegial thanks to a new governance. It is set up through Congresses bringing together delegates from all the countries where Fondacio is present. These Congresses, organized every five years, encourage the diversity of the movement and actions in collaboration with local teams.
They also promote the unity of the movement throughout the world, notably through the election of a president and a Fondacio council, and through the discernment of priority orientations voted for five years.
The development of the apostolate at a global level, the fruit of spiritual and ecclesial roots, gave rise to the recognition of Fondacio as a private international association of the faithful of pontifical law ad experimentum in 2008 by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, and then definitively in 2015.
In July 2016, Fondacio brought nearly 500 young people, believers and non-believers, to the World Youth Day in Krakow (Poland), coming from 22 countries on 4 continents, where Fondacio is present. It was an international adventure rich in encounters and highlights. The young people of Fondacio participated in the fervor of this gathering with SING'UP, a street choir that set the streets of Krakow on fire! The young people were able to advance in their journey of faith and leave with it.
Fondacio is a “one and diverse” community. It is an extremely decentralized movement that values the autonomy of interconnected territories, both in terms of initiative and governance. There is also always a concern for acculturation, for solutions adapted to the needs and development of the territories and the people who live there.
At the last international congress, the vision for the next 5 years focused on supporting and training change agents to face current challenges, and in particular the safeguarding of our common home.
At Pentecost 2019, the birth of CHARIS, a service desired by Pope Francis, gives new impetus to the charismatic renewal, “a current of grace of the Spirit for the whole Church”. It is also an opportunity for Fondacio to strengthen its charism in the service of human fraternity and in the service of the poor, those who have the greatest physical and spiritual needs.
The celebration of Fondacio's 50th anniversary will certainly be a time of evaluation, refreshment, thanksgiving and welcoming for the next 50 years.
Fondacio is at a special moment in its history with the upcoming 50th anniversary. Together, let us be the builders of tomorrow's world.
