History

History

Fondacio was born in France in 1974 in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and the grace of the Charismatic Renewal

1974: the beginnings

Fondacio was born in France in 1974 in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and the grace of the Charismatic Renewal, with Jean-Michel Rousseau and his wife Jane, and some young people gathering around them in Poitiers (France).

At the beginning the activity was essentially oriented towards the formation of young adults, evangelization and the deployment of lay vocations in the middle of the world to bring "something new".

Fondacio was quickly solicited by the Church, in other cities in France and towards other horizons, to develop its know-how.

Ten years after its birth, Fondacio is already present in many countries: France, Belgium, Chile, Malaysia, Philippines, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso...

At this time, some of Fondacio's key mission areas are already well defined.

Its members are involved in a variety of activities, particularly with young people, families, agents of social and political life, but also with people who are marginalized by society or who live in poverty.

Formation occupies a major place in the proposals made to each of these audiences, with the conviction that the transformation of the world passes through the transformation of the self and the consolidation of the "inner man" through the Spirit (Cf. Paul in Eph 3:14-16). 

The strength of a lay community like Fondacio also lies in the fraternal spirit that animates it in everything that is lived and undertaken for a new world.

Thus, Fondacio's first institute of formation was established in 1990 as a higher education institution for young people seeking meaning for their personal and professional future. 

 

 

Large international gatherings organized with other movements and communities in the area reflect the diversity in the communion between the countries where Fondacio is in mission, and also in ecumenism and the encounter of different Christian denominations. Close links with Protestant churches are established; they contribute to a deepening of the Word of God and the Bible, as well as to a missionary impulse together.

 

The 1990s: consolidation

In 1991, the founder left the movement due to serious misconduct. The 1990s were then marked by a re-reading of the experience with a look of faith and a search for adjustment, a discernment of spirituality and a sustained accompaniment of the Church through her pastors and theologians.

Under the leadership of Gerard Testard, President from 1991 to 2008, and a new Council, this work gave rise to an institutional overhaul and also generated a new missionary impetus, such as a rebirth. The result of working with several bishops, Fondacio strengthens its ecclesial ties and is recognized as a diocesan association of the faithful by the Bishop of Versailles in 1995.

A beautiful ecumenical experience is also taking shape in Romania with the Orthodox Church, in the development of social works (orphanages, people in precarious situations, etc.).

The charismatic renewal spread throughout the world

2000s: expansion
in a collegial spirit

The operating mode becomes more collegial thanks to a new governance. It is set up through Congresses that bring together delegates from all the countries where Fondacio is present. These congresses, held every five years, encourage the diversity of the movement and actions in conjunction with local teams.

They also promote the unity of the movement throughout the world, in particular through the election of a President and a Fondacio Council and the discernment of priority orientations that are voted for five years. 

The development of the apostolate at the world level, the fruit of spiritual and ecclesial roots, gives rise to the recognition of Fondacio as a private international association of the faithful of pontifical right ad experimentum in 2008 by the Dicastery of the Laity, the Family and Life, then definitively in 2015.

The Congress elects the President of Fondacio, Ignacio Rosselot, Chilean, for the period 2008-2013, then François Prouteau in 2013 and 2018. Fondacio is taking roots in its host countries and deploying its missions to other locations :

• Europe (Romania, England),
• South East Asia (Myanmar, Vietnam, etc.),
• Africa (Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo Brazza)
• South America( with the support of Chile, Colombia)

The 2000s also marked the development of a network of Institutes of Formation Fondacio on each of the 4 continents where Fondacio is present.The IFF Europe, a centre associated with the Université Catholique de l'Ouest à Angers (now also located in Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium), is the bridgehead.

In partnership with universities, each of these continental institutes is a vector of Fondacio's influence. Today, they are participating in the deployment to new countries, particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and in the exploration of new key innovation sectors for the future.

 

 

 

2018 : The vision from the last Congress

The charismatic renewal spread throughout the world

Fondacio is "One and diversified". Fondacio 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, 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 emphasizes the support and training of change agents to meet current challenges and in particular the safeguarding of the common house. 

At Pentecost 2019, the birth of CHARIS, a service desired by Pope Francis, gives a new impetus to 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 most physical and spiritual needs.

Launching of Charis

François Prouteau, President of Fondacio, is called by the Vatican to the 18-member International Communion Service, which is responsible for the animation of CHARIS.

Charismatic Renewal new tools

2024: 50 years of Fondacio

The celebration of Fondacio's 50th anniversary will certainly be a moment of assessment, of refreshing the whole experience, of graces and of welcoming the next 50 years.

Fondacio is at a particular moment in its history with this upcoming 50th anniversary. Together, let us be builders of tomorrow's world.