When a charism or an ecclesial reality is found in a foundational state, “the founder is not replaced, he continues on; that is why the Decree speaks of a ‘founder in life’.”

This is what the Holy Father has declared in the meeting with all the associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements and new communities, organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life on September 16, 2021.

With these words, the Holy Father confirmed what he had already declared to the International Team of the Neocatechumenal Way, Kiko Argüello, Father Mario Pezzi and Ascensión Romero, in the audience which he granted them on September 3.

On that occasion, the Pope had recognized that the nature of the Neocatechumenal Way is not to be an ‘Association’ or to be a ‘Movement’, but rather a ‘Christian Initiation’ that leads to the rediscovery of Baptism and the divine life in us.

Also in the meeting with the Dicastery, the Pope stressed: “We have to understand that evangelization is a mandate that comes from Baptism; whoever has Baptism has the duty to evangelize.”

In the audience on September 3, the Holy Father renewed his trust in Kiko and his team, encouraging them to continue the mission that the Lord has entrusted to them and also rejoiced at the beginning of the canonization process of Carmen Hernández in the archdiocese of Madrid.