lay movements Archives

German bishop orders new look at U.S. claims against Schonstatt founder

Mar 11, 2021

Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier has ordered a reexamination of abuse allegations against Father Joseph Kentenich, the founder of the international Schonstatt movement, from his time in exile in the U.S.

By Catholic News Service

Pope to Focolare: Continue to grow in dialogue with today’s world

Feb 8, 2021

Pope Francis encouraged members of the Focolare movement to remain open to and in dialogue with the world around them, and to be courageous in confronting problems within their community, particularly in regard to revelations of abuse.

By Carol Glatz

Malta archdiocese condemns charismatic group accused of abuse

Jan 8, 2021

After a 5-month investigation into the Maltese Community of Jesus the Savior, the archdiocese has issued a decree forbidding participation in the group after finding what it described as abusive tendencies causing harm to members.

By Elise Ann Allen

Reform or suppression: Troubled lay movements need outside oversight

Nov 5, 2020

Questions have been raised about the influence some lay groups exercise over their members and about how the church should determine whether the movement should be reformed or dissolved when there is abuse or corruption.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Book offers details about alleged manipulation by Schonstatt founder

Nov 2, 2020

After causing a stir with her article about Father Joseph Kentenich in the German Catholic newspaper Die Tagespost in July, Rome-based church historian Alexandra von Teuffenbach has now presented evidence to back her accusations in her book titled Father Is Allowed to Do It!

By Catholic News Service

French cases lead Focolare to promise investigation of handling abuse claims

Oct 22, 2020

The president of Focolare has accepted the resignations of the lay movement’s top leaders in France and announced the group will ask an independent committee to investigate how allegations of the sexual abuse of minors have been handled.

By Cindy Wooden

Maltese lay movement ‘shocked’ by archdiocese’s snub

Jul 16, 2020

One of the leaders of a controversial lay movement in Malta has said the group was shocked to find out second-hand that the archdiocese had told priests to steer clear of the group, insisting that they have never been contacted about potential problems.

By Elise Ann Allen

Malta archdiocese distances itself from controversial lay movement

Jul 14, 2020

The Archdiocese of Malta has disassociated itself from the Community of Jesus the Savior, which has been accused of espousing cult-like practices, and priests are forbidden to hold any association with it.

By Elise Ann Allen