In today's article we will explore the fascinating world of Brotherhood of Hope, a topic that has captured society's attention for a long time. Whether due to its impact on history, its relevance today or its future potential, Brotherhood of Hope has generated constant interest in different areas and has been the subject of numerous debates and studies. Throughout this article, we will try to analyze different aspects related to Brotherhood of Hope, from its origin to its possible implications in the future, with the aim of offering a comprehensive vision of this exciting topic.
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Abbreviation | B.H.[1] |
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Formation | 1980[2] |
Type | Association of the faithful in the Catholic Church |
Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts[3] |
Website | brotherhoodofhope.org |
The Brotherhood of Hope (abbreviated B.H.[1]) is an association of the faithful in the Catholic Church, composed primarily of religious brothers who serve in college campus ministry. They are also a member of an association of charismatic communities called the Sword of the Spirit.[4][5]
The association was founded in 1980 in Newark, New Jersey by Father Philip Merdinger, a Catholic priest from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, and five lay men who came together to consecrate themselves to God through private vows.[2][6]
This new community had been formed by an association of charismatic Catholic families in New Jersey known as the People of Hope and from the inspiration of an ecumenical group of consecrated men in Michigan called the Servants of the Word.[6]
Their first apostolate was in New Jersey, serving students at Rutgers University. In 1995 they were invited by Cardinal Bernard Law to establish their headquarters in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, with canonical approval in 1998.[6]
The Brotherhood of Hope serves Catholic campus ministries at University of Central Florida, Northeastern University, Rutgers University, University of South Florida and the University of Minnesota. They formerly served at Florida State University, Boston University and in other ministries. [7][8][9][10]
In December 2012, Father Robert W. Oliver, a member of the Brotherhood of Hope, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to the Promoter of Justice for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.[11][12] In September 2014, Oliver was promoted by Pope Francis to be the first secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.[3][13]