The Community of Jesus Overview

Group Name: The Community of Jesus

Founder: Emilie (Mother Cay) and Helena (Mother Judy) Trobisch

Current Leader: The community is led by a group of elders, with no single leader holding the title of head.

Date Founded: 1968

Locations: Main location on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA; smaller affiliated communities and retreat centers exist in other parts of the United States and internationally.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, the group combines elements of Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions with its own unique teachings and practices, which often deviate from mainstream Christian theology.

• The Leader is an infallible authority: The founders, Emilie and Helena Trobisch, were regarded with high authority, and their teachings continue to influence the group significantly. Current leadership maintains strict adherence to the foundational teachings.

• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, the leadership exerts significant control over members’ daily lives, including their activities, behaviors, and financial contributions.

• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, members are expected to show unwavering faith and allegiance to the group’s teachings and leadership.

• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, questioning the group’s doctrines or leadership is discouraged, and critical thinking is often suppressed to maintain unity and control.

• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, there have been reports of the use of intimidation, fear, and shame to enforce conformity and obedience among members.

• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, former members often experience shunning and isolation from their families and support networks after leaving the group.

• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there have been allegations of financial exploitation and a lack of transparency regarding the group’s financial dealings.

• Allegations of sexual misconduct: There have been some allegations of sexual misconduct within the group, though these claims vary in detail and substantiation.

Narrative:

The Community of Jesus was founded in 1968 by Emilie (Mother Cay) and Helena (Mother Judy) Trobisch on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The group presents a unique blend of Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian traditions, creating a distinctive theological framework that diverges from mainstream Christianity.

The founders were regarded with high authority, and their teachings continue to play a central role in the community’s practices. The leadership structure is now comprised of a group of elders who uphold the foundational doctrines and maintain strict control over the community.

Members of the Community of Jesus are expected to adhere strictly to the group’s teachings and practices. Leadership exerts significant control over various aspects of members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and finances. Financial contributions are heavily emphasized, and there have been numerous allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency.

Questioning the group’s doctrines or leadership is discouraged, leading to the suppression of critical thinking. Intimidation, fear, and shame are reportedly used to maintain control and enforce obedience. Additionally, former members often face shunning and isolation, resulting in the loss of family connections and support networks.

The Community of Jesus has also faced allegations of sexual misconduct, though these claims vary and have been difficult to substantiate fully. Despite these controversies, the group continues to attract followers, maintaining its primary location on Cape Cod and operating smaller affiliated communities and retreat centers both in the United States and internationally.