The following are notes from the Executive and Council Meetings regarding criteria for new communities to be eligible for Catholic Fraternity Membership. These criteria are to be seen as requestions which each community should ask themselves upon seeking admission to the Fraternity. Not every community will have all the criteria but it is important for each community to examine their lifestyle in the light of our identity as Catholic, Charismatic and Covenant Communities.

Catholic

These criteria are to be drawn from the CRITERIA OF ECCLESIALITY OF LAY PERSONS (Christifideles Laici, 30). Five criteria are mentioned. They appear below in a summary form:

a. The primacy given to the call of every Christian to holiness, as it is manifested "in all the fruits of grace which the Spirit produces in the faithful" and in a growth towards the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity.
b. The responsibility of professing the Catholic faith, embracing and proclaiming the truth about Christ, the church and humanity, in obedience to the Church's Magisterium, as the Church interprets it.
c. The witness to a strong and authentic communion in filial relationship to the Pope and with the local Bishop.
d. Conformity to and participation in the Church's apostolic goals, that is, 'the evangelization and sanctification of humanity and the Christian formation of people's conscience, so as to enable them to infuse the spirit of the gospel into the various communities and spheres of life.'
e. A commitment to a presence in human society, which in light of the Church's social doctrine, places it at the service of the total dignity of the person.

Charismatic

• Infusion/Baptism in the Holy Spirit; a deep encounter with the Lord, according to the graces of the Charismatic Renewal.
• Exercise of the charisms.
• Charismatic worship
• Open to ongoing leading of the Spirit.
• Evangelization.
  

  Covenant Community

  1. To live together according to a certain pattern of life reflecting the special grace of the particular community:
     • Personal and collective prayer,
     • Relationship (household, small groups, areas)
     • Mutual commitment
     • Regular community meetings
     • Forgiveness and reconciliation
     • Pastoral caring person, advisor, companion
     • Support for single, married and family life
  2. Eucharistic life and ordained ministry
  3. Recognized by the local Ordinary
  4. With a commitment and solidarity (structure and order)
  5. Embracing a sacramental and spiritual life
  6. Formation requirements (authentically Catholic teaching)
  7. With apostolic and charitable actions (community discernment)
  8. With criteria of Christian freedom and support
  9. With criteria in relationship to a viable number of people and that shows evidence of maturity in its Christian community lifestyle
  10. Open to wider involvement and ministry. Non rigid; openness with regard to other elements and activities of the universal Church
  11. Demonstrating a financial commitment to the community
  12. Authentic ecumenism according to Catholic principles.