Family organization founded by U.S. married couple receives Pontifical status

Jun 14, 2007 / 07:44 am

The Apostolate for Family Consecration, an Ohio-based ministry to Catholic families, is now one of fewer than 125 organizations in the world to be granted Pontifical status by the Vatican.

The granting of Pontifical status means that the ministry is now officially recognized and approved by the Holy See. While the new status sets the apostolate apart, the organization is also the first of its kind to be founded by a married American couple.

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 where the Apostolate for Family Consecration has a center have already begun the pilgrimage to Rome to take part in the Act of Consignment Ceremony.

The Apostolate for Family Consecration was founded in 1975 by Jerry and Gwen Coniker. The primary focus of the organization is to sanctify and consecrate families in the truths of the Catholic Faith, using the modern means of social communications.

For more information please visit http://www.familyland.org/home.asp