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DISCIPLES OF JESUS COVENANT COMMUNITY A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
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Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community

A Catholic Community on Mission

Submission by the Canberra Branch of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community

This is a submission on behalf of the Canberra Branch of the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community

The Canberra branch had at the end of 2017 150 adult members plus a large number of children and comprised both families and single persons, as well as priests, religious brothers and sisters. The priests, 7 in total in Canberra, the religious brothers and sisters are members of the Missionaries of God’s Love and are also members of the Community.

The Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community began in October 1979, and, on 1 September 1994, amalgamated with Hephzibah Covenant Community which began in February 1982. The amalgamated Community, which retained the name Disciples of Jesus, currently has branches in Denpasar (Bali), Canberra, Cairns, Sydney (3), Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Wollongong, Manila (Philippines), and Port Moresby and Mount Hagan in PNG. It now numbers about 1100 men, women and children. Since the early 1980's the Community has been affiliated with other covenant communities throughout the world, and is a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships which is recognised as a private association of the Christian faithful of Pontifical right. The Community's ministry and wide mission outreach of evangelism is well known throughout Australia and in many other countries.

The Community is accountable to and under the authority of the Local Bishop in

recognition of his position as chief pastor of the Local Church. The current statutes of the Canberra branch of the community were signed by the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn on 24 February 2012

Disciples of Jesus Community is a body of families, singles and priests who have come together under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to live a common life of prayer, sharing and service.

The Missionaries of God's Love, flowing from the grace of the Community, is a body of men and women who are dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus by sharing a common life, and by consecrating themselves to the Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience. They are called to live this way of life either as Priests, Brothers or Sisters.

Being members of a Catholic Community has given us a deep identity, and a certain mission to foster a rich and authentic Catholicism, not only among ourselves but also to seek to share this renewed grasp of our Catholic faith with other members of the Church. We understand ourselves as being a body in and for the Church. We desire to live in deep unity and spirit with the Pope and Bishops, and to be loyal to the teachings of the Magisterium. We find authentic tradition in the lives and writings of the Saints and Fathers of the Church.

Members have a strong sense of the Sacraments in their life.

More information on the Canberra branch of the community can be found at

https://www.facebook.com/DisciplesOfJesusCommunity/

Covenant Communities

In various parts of the world God has raised up Covenant Communities in the work of His Holy Spirit from the Charismatic Renewal.

A Covenant Community is a group of Christians who have been led by the Lord to bind themselves to Him and also one another in the form of public commitment. Its call is to live a Christian lifestyle, in family and single life, through openness to the charismatic gifts, worship and prayer, sharing and teaching, and support for one another.

Disciples of Jesus are a Covenant Community. We have chosen the word 'covenant' to designate the special character of the Community. It does not override the vital covenant established with God through the Church. We believe that the Lord has called us together as a Community within the Catholic Church.

In describing ourselves as a Covenant Community, we see our community life as lived under a covenant. We enter into a solemn agreement before the Lord (we have already entered into an agreement with the Lord in Baptism) and with our brothers and sisters to live the life of the Community.

The Community’s position on same sex marriage.

Whilst there has been no formal resolution by the Community or its governing Branch Council on this issue it would be accurate to state that the vast majority of Community members have a traditional view of marriage and would adhere to the views expressed by our Archbishop and the Catholic Church generally. Individual members of the Community have been encouraged to make their own personal submissions to your review and some have already done so.

The central issue for community members is that in its works and events the members will not, as things are presently understood, be covered by the protection that would be afforded to ordained Catholic clergy.

The community runs throughout the year a number of outreach events which attract non community members and it is quite possible that in these events the issue of attitudes to same sex marriage will arise.

It is important that Community members running or participating in these events have the freedom to express their views about the same sex marriage issue without the fear of litigation or some other form of legal action.

We therefore invite the review to reflect on this issue and to make recommendations to the government that a satisfactory level of protection be afforded to members of the Community or other similar lay organisations in such circumstances.

Canberra

9 February 2018

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