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The Apostolate for Family Consecration is a U.S. Roman Catholic lay movement headquartered in Bloomingdale, Ohio. Founded in 1975 by Jerry and Gwen Coniker, it was given Pontifical Status in 2007. The Apostolate describes its mission as being called "to consecrate families to the Holy Family and in the truths of our Faith in the spirit of Pope John Paul II, thus enabling them to live their baptismal vocation and be effective evangelizers and people of faith in the parishes and movements they belong to."〔(''Fact Sheet'' ) published by the Apostolate.〕 Its motto is "All for the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus; all through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary; all in union with St. Joseph." The group is much influenced by St. Louis de Montfort and Pope John Paul II. ==History== In 1971, Jerry Coniker (b. 1938) sold his business and with his wife Gwen (b. 1939 d. 2002) and their eight children moved to Fátima, Portugal, for what he called "a two-year retreat."〔(Familyland: a cultural detox and spiritual warfare training center ) by Patricia Lefevere ''National Catholic Reporter'', October 3, 1997〕 Coniker had founded Coniker Systems, which manufactured communications, time management, and sales control systems for Fortune 500 companies. A pro-life activist concerned for the family, Coniker decided he "couldn't succeed politically without bringing people back to God."〔(Familyland is a spiritual oasis ) by Ann Rodgers, ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', October 13, 1996〕 Upon their return to the U.S., Coniker became the executive director of a Franciscan ministry, the Militia Immaculata, in Wisconsin.〔(Widower pursues sainthood for wife ) by Ann Rodgers, ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', September 09, 2007〕 In 1975, the Conikers founded the Apostolate for Family Consecration, which received official approval from the Catholic Church later that year. Among other works, they began producing television shows for EWTN.〔''Challenge and Change'' by Fr. Peter Lappin, S.D.B. page 139〕 In 1990, the ministry borrowed US$1 million to buy an abandoned seminary property from the Diocese of Steubenville, and began to restore the buildings, many of which had not been used in two decades, and expand the property. It paid off the debt in 1996.〔See note 6〕 In 1999, the Conikers were named by Pope John Paul II as one of twenty couples who advised the Pontifical Council for the Family. In 2004, the pope named Coniker a consultor for the Council.〔(Familyland Co-Founder Named Consultor for Pontifical Council ), Zenit News Agency, September 19, 2004.〕 In 2007, in a "Decree of Recognition and Approval" issued by Pope Benedict XVI through the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Apostolate was declared "a private international association of the faithful of pontifical right, with a juridical personality, according to canons 298-311 and 321-329 of the Code of Canon Law.".〔For the relevant canons, see http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P11.HTM, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P13.HTM and http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P14.HTM〕 Referring to one of the Apostolate's slogans in his statement at the occasion, Bishop Josef Clemens said that "‘Families evangelizing families’ is not only a beautiful Christian ideal, it is an urgent need in society today, so that the human and Christian values of the family might be promoted in their fullness."〔(Excerpts from the Decree of Recognition )〕 Gwen Coniker died of cancer in 2002, and in June 2007 the Bishop of Steubenville let the cause for her canonization proceed. The initial investigation, into whether she showed "heroic virtue," began that September. Part of the evidence presented was her refusing to abort her eleventh child, Theresa, when her doctor said the pregnancy would burst her uterus and kill her. The baby was delivered safely, and she had two more children. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Apostolate for Family Consecration」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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