The Emmanuel Community brings together couples, families, single people, priests and men and women consecrated to a life of celibacy, working within the Catholic Church to respond to God's call to serve and proclaim Christ in today's world.  As an Association of the Faithful, it is deeply committed to the Church, its pastors (the bishops and hierarchy), its teaching and tradition. Community members are also men and women of our time imbued with a desire to proclaim the Gospel through their lives and in new ways that respond to the needs of their contemporaries.

The Universal Church

The Community is in constant contact with the Pontifical Council for the Laity in Rome to which it is answerable under canon law.  This link to the Universal Church is important because the Emmanuel Community is an international community whose members live on 5 continents.  The statutes and the relationship to the Holy See ensure the ecclesial character and the unity of the Community throughout the world. 

In different countries and dioceses

In France, contact with the Bishops' Conference is regular and the Community is involved on a number of working parties such as the Lay Apostolate, the National Solidarity Council and the working party for groups engaged in the Renewal.

In every diocese where it is present or undertakes significant activities, the Emmanuel Community strives to work in harmony with existing structures and its local leaders meet regularly with the bishops to address issues surrounding responsibility for parishes and other activities and missions appropriate to the Community within that diocese.