This standing identifies those groups which have an international outreach and that have received the "official recognition and explicit approval" of the Holy See. This marks the first movement started in the United States by a married couple to be accorded with this decree. The Act of Consignment Ceremony is to be given in Rome on June 15. The Apostolate for Family Consecration is dedicated to consecrating families in the truths of the Catholic faith.
Contact: Theresa Schmitz, VP Operations, Apostolate for Family Consecration, 740-765-5500, ext. 2020, theresa@familyland.org
BLOOMINGDALE, Ohio, June 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Apostolate for Family Consecration, an Ohio-based ministry to Catholic families around the world, has recently been granted Pontifical Status by the Vatican. This standing identifies those groups which have an international outreach and that have received the "official recognition and explicit approval" of the Holy See. The Apostolate for Family Consecration is one of fewer than 125 organizations worldwide that have received the high honor. It's also the first organization started by a married couple in the United States to be so recognized by the Vatican.
By decreeing Pontifical Status on the Apostolate for Family Consecration, the Holy See is providing important impetus for the continued success of the group's international endeavors to strengthen and sanctify the family. "This is a very gratifying affirmation of our basic mission -- to strengthen and save the family," said Jerry Coniker, co-founder of the Apostolate for Family Consecration.
A ceremony marking the newly-granted designation will be held in Rome on June 15. Representatives from each country in which the Apostolate for Family Consecration has a center have started on the pilgrimage to Rome to take part in the Act of Consignment Ceremony.
About the Apostolate for Family Consecration
Started in 1975 by Jerry and Gwen Coniker, parents of 13, the Apostolate for Family Consecration's primary focus is to sanctify and consecrate families in the truths of the Catholic Faith, using the modern means of social communications. A creative use of the media is employed to teach the Catholic Faith, using audiotape/CD, videotape/DVD, Podcasts, the Internet, the printed word, and television broadcasting. Complete evangelization and catechetical systems are produced which are designed for effective use in homes, parishes and schools. In all of its programs and initiatives, emphasis is placed on the need for consecration and generating reparation for sin, coupled with catechetical instruction and structured evangelization outreach. These systems and programs combine solid catechesis with a deeper participation in the sacraments and prayer, in order to eradicate the root causes of family breakdown - sin, and ignorance of God's loving designs.
Headquartered in Bloomingdale, OH, the Apostolate for Family Consecration operates Catholic Familyland, a multifaceted retreat center engaging families in a broad array of fun faith-building and recreational activities. The Apostolate also operates outreach centers in over 125 countries, distributes a broad range of teaching material and operates the Familyland Television Network, offering exclusive conference highlights, teaching programs and classic movies, all supporting the Apostolate's mission "helping families get to heaven".
