Today, Saturday, November 27, 2021, the Central Diaconia of the Fraternity of CL gathered in Milan to be informed by the Vice-President about the interview that took place with the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life during the past few days and where he had been called after the resignation of its President, Fr. Carrón. Prosperi reported that the Prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, confirmed him that, according to art. 19 of the Statute of the Fraternity of CL, in the event of the President’s resignation, the Vice-President fully takes over. Therefore, he acknowledged to him the full powers as interim President of the Fraternity.
Thus, the Central Diaconia unanimously took note of the task he was entrusted and expressed their complete availability and cooperation.

Here follows the letter in which Davide Prosperi informed all members of the Fraternity of CL about the contents of this interview and about his assuming the role as interim President.

Milan, November 27, 2021

Dearest friends,

as already announced in last Saturday’s press release, a few days after Fr. Julián Carrón’s resignation, I was called by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, as Vice-President of the Fraternity, for important communications. The audience took place on Thursday, November 25, at the Dicastery’s offices in Rome, in the presence of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect, of Dr. Linda Ghisoni, Undersecretary, and of Dr. Isabelle Cassarà.
Today, after reporting the contents of this interview to the members of the Diaconia of the Fraternity, I am writing to share with all of you what Cardinal Farrell wanted to talk to me about.
In the first place, the Prefect confirmed that, according to art. 19 of the Statute of the Fraternity of CL, in the event of the President’s resignation, the Vice-President fully takes over. He then asked me to take this responsibility and I, even though aware of my own limitations, accepted.
Therefore, the Prefect acknowledged to me the full powers as interim President of the Fraternity, i.e. until new elections are held, as provided for by the General Decree issued on June 11, 2021 and that has come into force with effect from September 11. This cannot happen earlier than twelve months since the start date of my assignment.

Secondly, the Prefect explained the procedures we should go through to prepare the election of the new President of the Fraternity.
The first step will be the approval of a new Statute. In the revision process, which is to take place under the supervision of the Dicastery itself, consultations inside the Fraternity will also have to be included. The purpose of such consultations is to let the new rules most appropriately reflect the originality of our charism and thus the specific identity of the Fraternity of CL inside the church. Therefore, in order to continue the work already started by the Central Diaconia in the past months, I have agreed with the Dicastery on the institution of a Committee for the Statutes which is both streamlined and sufficiently representative, so that the work may proceed efficiently. I will disclose the composition of this committee as soon as possible, so that all those who so wish can make their own contribution through these delegates.

Finally, the Prefect invited me to commit myself to let the life of the Fraternity be nourished and to not let its activities stop. Thereby, he entrusted me with the great responsibility to continue to provide all of us with a clear educational proposal, so that our experience may be enhanced even during this transitional stage. I will soon ask other people to help me in such a delicate task.

I have purposely written to you in an essential and almost technical way, in order to faithfully share the indications I have received. However, I wish to share with you the concerns that I have and the reflections that I see as most important soon, so that we can go through this new stage in the life of the Movement safely together.

For this purpose, let’s join next Monday, November 29, at 9:00 p.m (CET)., for a communication by video link, at the following link, which shall be active on Monday from 8:30 p.m.: https://diretta.avvenimenti.tv/eventi/comunicazione-cl/anonymous_content/466

Please let me conclude with a personal note.

I have accepted the post I hold as an act of obedience to the Holy Father and I wish to perform this task as a service to the life of our companionship and of each one of you. As far as possible, I would like to listen to everyone and to give space to the initiative of whoever wishes to take part. The task of bearing witness we are given by God is great and, as Fr. Julián reminds us in his last letter, each one of us is called to take responsibility of the charism in this particular moment. I ask each one
of you to please help me to take my own, granting me your trust and esteem in advance.

In communion,
Davide Prosperi