| Community of the Chemin Neuf | |
| Orientation | Roman Catholic |
|---|---|
| Polity | Hierarchical |
| Leader | Laurent Fabre |
| Distinct fellowships | 1,400 |
| Geographical areas | 24 countries |
| Official website | www.chemin-neuf.org |
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The Community of the Chemin Neuf is a Catholic ecumenical community. Created from a charismatic prayer group in 1973, it has currently 1,600 members in 24 countries and 12,000 persons work for the community. Its main founder was the Jesuit father Laurent Fabre.[1] The group was the subject of criticisms from former members and anti-cult associations.
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The community was named after the first meeting in Lyon, Montée du Chemin Neuf. It was founded in the Charismatic Renewal and remains heavily marked by the Ignatian spirituality. The community focuses its action on the principle of unity: unity of Christians, unity of men, unity of couples and families. It regularly organizes some retreats for couples, families and / or engaged (Cana) for the divorcees (Cana Espérance), for the divorcees and remarried (Cana Samarie), an international evangelization (Net for God / Fraternité Œcuménique Internationale (FOI)), as well as an evangelization in the neighbourhood (evangelization in the street, Alpha course), sessions for young people, theological, philosophical and artistic trainings, and retreats following the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.
The community is composed of lay and religious persons from all Christian denominations: Catholic, Anglican, Reformed, Orthodox. In 1984, it was recognized by Cardinal Renard, and became a Public Association of Faithful by Cardinal Albert Decourtray, archbishop of Lyon. This canonical status allowed it to teach the Christian doctrine on behalf of the Catholic Church and to promote public worship. From a civi point of view, the community was recognized as religious congregation by a decree from the Prime Minister of France, on 23 July 1993.
In France, the community has several branchs located in Lyon, Anse (69), Soleymieu (38), Hautecombe (73), Plantay (01), Sablonceaux (17), Tigery (91), Chartres (28), Bouvines (59), Marseille (13), Levallois (92), Paris (75), Villeurbanne (69), Lucé-Mainvilliers (28), Lille (59), Reims (51), Sophia-Antipolis (06), Angers (49). The community is also present in Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Egypt, United Kingdom, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Liban, Madagascar, Martinique, Maurice, Netherlands, Poland, Réunion, Switzerland, Chad.
In the 1990s, former members of the community accused it of being a cult practicing brainwashing and proselytism.[2] French anti-cult association Centre contre les manipulations mentales also considered the community as a cult in its Dictionary of Cults.[3] Jérôme Dupré-Latour, a priest of the Diocese of Lyon, noted some cultic deviances, including strict obedience and authoritarian power.[4] Archbishop Jean Balland,[5] prist Jean Vernette,[6] and founder Laurent Fabre denied these accusations.[5]