The Commitments of the Gaudí Movement
The commitments of the Gaudí Movement stem from the ideology of Antoni Gaudí, which inspires a way of life that is more grounded, cooperative, and open to transcendence. Based on this foundation, eight core commitments have been defined, organised around three key axes – or “pillars” – that represent a balance between inner growth, social transformation, and cultural and community regeneration. These pillars structure the action of the Movement and pave concrete pathways towards a more humane and conscious future.
It is important to highlight that the first pillar – Spirituality and Transcendence – proposes commitments that are open to those who feel called to them, whether they are Christian or not. The Gaudí Movement is inspired by the deeper values found in the message of Jesus – such as love, service, humility, and fraternity – but does not require any religious affiliation or doctrinal adherence. All who share these values are welcome to take part.
- Commitment to the Gospel message
- Ecumenical commitment to the Universal Church and interfaith dialogue
- Commitment to a vocational spirit at work, entrepreneurship, creativity, value creation, service, cooperation, and shared endeavour
- Commitment to human rights and social ethics, with a special focus on the poor and marginalised
- Commitment to the family and respect for life
- Commitment to the environment
- Commitment to the language, culture and people of each land
- Commitment to the rights of peoples
- Commitment to world peace and brotherhood, including art as an expression of spirituality and harmony in the world
- Commitment to the Gospel message
- Commitment to the Universal Church and interfaith dialogue
- Commitment to a vocational spirit at work, entrepreneurship, creativity, value creation, service, cooperation, and shared endeavour
- Commitment to human rights and social ethics, with a special focus on the poor and marginalised
- Commitment to the family and respect for life
- Commitment to the environment
- Commitment to the language, culture and people of each land
- Commitment to the rights of peoples
- Commitment to world peace and brotherhood, including art as an expression of spirituality and harmony in the world
Pillar 1: Spirituality, peace and brotherhood
Commitment to the Gospel message
A commitment inspired by the transformative values of the Gospel, lived in an open and non-dogmatic way.
Defence of the rights of the poor and those in need, and support for the institutions that care for them.
Austerity, simplicity and humility in behaviour.
Trust in divine providence.
Willingness to participate in Gaudí Movement activities that help others.
Deepening the Gospel message – from an open, non-dogmatic perspective – focusing on aspects that may be relevant to society as a whole, people of different faiths and of none, with or without a religious background and wherever they live in the world.
For Christians, putting prayer and especially the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their activities, as an act of thanksgiving and to ask for strength in helping build the Gaudí Movement in all areas of its mission.
Ecumenical commitment to the Universal Church and interfaith dialogue
Immersion in the challenging reality of the Church, locally and globally
Understanding the Universal Church as the sum of local Churches, rooted in the language, culture, and history of each people.
Advocating for a Church that is rooted in place, open in spirit, and alive in practice – reflecting the unique identity of its community.
Calling for the Catholic Church to:
Appoint bishops in consultation with parish communities.
Recognise both celibate and married priests as valid options for ordained ministry.
Ensure women are present in all areas of Church life, including ordained ministry.
Encourage the ecclesiastical leadership of dioceses in stateless nations to engage with local challenges and defend the rights of their people, drawing on and sharing the Church’s social teaching on nationhood and the state.
In plurinational states, prevent Church-run media from being used to promote the assimilationist agenda of the dominant nationalism.
In plurinational states, ensure that each distinct people has its own Episcopal Conference.
Establishing collaborative and fraternal agreements with other religious denominations, beginning with other Christian churches.
Pilar 2: Social and environmental ethics
Commitment to a vocational spirit at work, entrepreneurship, creativity, value creation, service, cooperation, and shared endeavour
A commitment to working together and creating value as drivers of transformation and collective progress.
Human beings are social by nature. Personal development occurs through interaction with others – first through the family and school, and later through friendships, higher education, and work.
Work – in the broadest sense, including non-remunerated activity – is the vehicle through which we create and contribute value to the society around us.
Progress is built on the accumulated contribution of countless generations. Thanks to their efforts, we now enjoy comforts that were once unimaginable. However, value should be created through constructive initiatives that truly contribute to the progress of each community and of humanity as a whole. Such contribution always involves both individual and collective effort, and a profound spirit of service.
Value that remains locked within ourselves serves no purpose. Of course, the internal value we gain through learning and self-empowerment is essential, but it will only bear fruit if it is directed towards the common good.
The value we contribute enriches others, just as we are enriched by the value we receive from those around us.
This value is multiplied when pursued collaboratively – through teams, companies, associations and civic, cultural and social initiatives and organisations.
To contribute to society, we must cultivate a work ethic and true (self-)empowerment of individuals and peoples. Without such empowerment – meaning a sense of fulfilment in our work and agency in decision-making at the most local level – contributing to society becomes more difficult.
The challenges of today’s globalised world require the full deployment of the six excellence factors: R+D+4i (Research, Development, Innovation, Identity, Impact, and Infrastructure).
Identity encompasses creativity, self-empowerment, intellectual capital, social and cultural values, and brand or product image.
Impact includes internationalisation, digital connectivity, strategic alliances, and the ability to contribute and compete globally.
Infraestructure covers education, logistics, technology, and finance.
Identity, in particular, is key – for both organisations and nations – if we are to build a strong and cohesive civil society capable of resisting the forces of impoverishing uniformity.
The Gaudí Movement aims to strengthen the creation of value and contribution to society by fostering a work ethic and promoting the R+D+4i model.
Commitment to human rights and social ethics, with a special focus on the poor and marginalised
The Gaudí Movement advocates for a fairer society where fundamental human rights are fully respected, especially for the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, immigrants, and workers.
This transformation requires a profound change of mindset and a genuine commitment to the dignity of every human being.
We also want to highlight:
The dishonest exploitation of the planet’s resources for the benefit of a few, at the cost of undignified wages for the majority.
The hoarding of economic resources by elites through abusive practices.
The disregard for the rights of women, children, and the most vulnerable groups.
The absence of welcoming and respectful processes for immigrants.
On human rights:
We must move towards a society that recognises and values the contribution of every worker, with fair pay and proper working conditions
The Gaudí Movement aims to promote a business culture grounded in social commitment, active participation, and (self)empowerment, understanding organisations as collective spaces where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
A fair and inclusive society, where everyone can thrive, is only possible when we promote equity at every level.
Special attention must be paid to protecting children from harmful influences and misinformation.
When it comes to integrating newcomers, it is essential to provide resources and tools that support their full and respectful integration into society.
📍 See also the commitment to the rights of peoples, under the “Culture and Identity” pillar.
Commitment to the family and respect for life
A commitment to what is the foundational core of society — a space for human growth, values, and relationships.
The family is a cornerstone of human society. It is the primary place where we are shaped as individuals, where life is literally given and core values are passed on – values such as love, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to discern and navigate external influences (media, social networks, peers, etc.)
Of course, family-based learning is complemented by the school system, which must offer the highest quality education – especially at the primary level. Close collaboration between families and schools is
essential. Families must fully respect and uphold the authority of teachers in the eyes of their children, while teachers, for their part, must be well-trained and held in high regard by society as a whole.
Families must also have access to decent housing and sufficient economic resources, including guaranteed minimum income and support for their children’s education and the critical periods before
and after birth. This support is what makes responsible parenthood possible, ensuring a smooth and sustainable transition from one generation to the next.
This is a vital issue. In affluent societies, an ageing population often leads to inertia, self-interest, and disengagement from today’s pressing challenges. In nations without full political sovereignty, the issue is even more serious, as insufficient birth rates can put the future of distinct peoples and cultures at risk.
Commitment to the environment
A commitment to the Earth as our common home – where love and responsibility guide specific action to conserve it.
One of the toughest challenges facing the world today is climate change, which has largely been caused by a lack of respect for nature and the environment.
We must mitigate its effects to prevent catastrophic consequences such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels.
We have the technological capabilities to address this, but what we still lack is the collective will to implement well-structured, collaborative plans that take all relevant factors into account and include the
necessary measures to slow or reverse climate change.
A crucial factor is mindset – both of those in power and of citizens themselves. This mindset must shift toward responsible consumption and a commitment to reducing pollution.
The Gaudí Movement aims to contribute to this shift by promoting constructive and effective proposals from experts involved in the movement.
Gaudí once said: “To do things well, one must begin with love – and follow it with technique.” So let us begin by inspiring a love for nature and for all humanity – and then apply the technical solutions required.
We must also take to heart the profoundly truthful words of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum on the climate crisis:
“God has united us so closely to the world around us that the desertification of the soil is like an illness for each one of us, and we can mourn the extinction of a species as if it were a disfigurement.”
In line with Gaudí’s outlook, we might extend this concern to include the extinction – or erasure – of cultures and peoples that the Creator has spread across the Earth.
Pilar 3: Culture and identity
Commitment to the language, culture and people of each land
The Gaudí Movement affirms a deep respect for the languages, cultures and peoples of every land, recognising them as living expressions of human creativity, memory and meaning.
Language and culture are not merely tools of communication or traditions to be preserved, but pathways to encounter, understanding and shared humanity.
In a globalised world marked by mobility and diversity, cultural encounter should not be lived as a threat, but as an opportunity for mutual growth. A just, cohesive and peaceful society is built when people feel seen, respected and valued in their identity, while also being invited into a shared civic and cultural space.
The Gaudí Movement therefore supports initiatives that:
Encourage appreciation of local languages and cultures as pathways to understanding and mutual respect.
Promote cultural exchange grounded in curiosity, humility and openness.
Foster respect for difference as a source of enrichment rather than division.
Support welcoming processes that honour both the dignity of newcomers and the cultural fabric of the places that receive them.
By valuing the language, culture and people of each land, we contribute to a world where diversity is not merely tolerated, but respected –and where understanding becomes the foundation for peaceful coexistence and collective evolution.
Commitment to the rights of peoples
The Gaudí Movement seeks to highlight the importance of respecting the rights of peoples – national, cultural, and linguistic – around the world.
Even today, many communities experience injustice or invisibility, often ignored by institutions – and even by their own churches.
Situations that need addressing include:
Poorly defined borders resulting from colonialism or dynastic wars.
Disregard for national minorities within states composed of diverse ethnic groups.
Suppression of so-called minority languages and cultures.
Systematic denial of any initiative for the self-determination of stateless nations.
The Gaudí Movement aims to foster dialogue between affected groups to open the door to mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence. In particular:
It is essential to recognise that, all too often, even religious denominations reproduce centralist patterns, sidelining native languages.
We must reclaim Gaudí’s spirit to drive change rooted in trust, respect, and cooperation.
Languages are not just tools for communication – they express a way of seeing the world. Respecting them is key to achieving lasting peace.
📍 See also the commitment to human rights, under the pillar “Action and Social Commitment”.
Commitment to world peace and brotherhood, including art as an expression of spirituality and harmony in the world
A commitment to a world where justice, love, and mutual respect form the foundation of peacefeul coexistence.
World peace and brotherhood are the natural fruit of respecting the rights of all peoples – national, cultural and linguistic – and of all human beings.
The majority of wars and conflict in the world stem from a failure to respect these rights and from rivalries between neighbouring peoples. For this reason, the Gaudí Movement is committed to promoting the defence of these rights and encouraging honest dialogue as a means of overcoming rivalry and division.
The Sagrada Família must become a symbol of brotherhood and world peace – rooted in justice, love, and forgiveness. It should be a temple for all peoples of the world, a place of encounter and of prayer for the protection of these fundamental rights. It should also serve as a space for mediation, where people of goodwill can come together to foster understanding and seek solutions to conflict.
The soaring structure of the temple lifts the hopes of all peoples towards the infinite.
Expanding the Gaudí Movement around the globe could open the door to greater mutual understanding, brotherhood and harmony among the world’s peoples and cultures.
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