Here is what Francis Cardinal Arinze, then prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, said in an interview on Vatican Radio regarding the Neocatechumenal Way:
And as happens with the NCW – benedictgal – the letter was twisted and spun by the NCW-- from correction to “endorsement” of the NCW abberations.
adoremus.org/0206NewsViews.html
A spokesman for the Neocatechumenal Way in the US responded to the directives, suggesting that Cardinal Arinze’s letter was intended as an endorsement of the group’s practices. Giuseppe Gennarini, who is responsible for Neocatechumenal communities in the United States, told Catholic News Service in Rome December 29, “The most important thing about the letter is that it allows certain liturgical adaptations”.
In a recent radio interview, Apuron again defended the practice of distributing communion as at a banquet, and downplayed the value of the letter from Cardinal Arinze.
It is, in fact, the widespread opinion among the Neocatechumenals that Arinze’s letter is something provisional, modifiable, a simple “instrumentum laboris,” and that in the end their practice will receive substantive approval.
This opinion remains current even after the reminder from Benedict XVI on January 12.
In any case, this is the thought of neither Arinze nor the pope. In a February 15 interview with Vatican Radio, the cardinal prefect of the congregation for the liturgy restated that the letter is “the conclusion of the whole affair.” And this is how he explained the process that led to the writing of the letter:
Again, there are two very different ponts of view. But, in the end, the movement finally had to blink.“The letter was occasioned by the results of the examination, conducted by this congregation, of how the Neocatechumenal Way has celebrated the Holy Mass for many years. …] For this examination we had a mixed commission of persons nominated by the Neocatechumenal Way and persons nominated by our congregation. The discussions brought up many of the practices that they employ during the Mass, …] and many of these were not in accordance with the approved books. This is the background. The entire situation was examined over many sessions of the mixed commission, for a period of two years or longer. And there was also, at the bidding of the Holy Father, a discussion among seven cardinals of the Roman curia, who examined everything. So this letter is the conclusion of the whole affair.”
Here is what Francis Cardinal Arinze, then prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, said in an interview on Vatican Radio regarding the Neocatechumenal Way:
Quote:
In a recent radio interview, Apuron again defended the practice of distributing communion as at a banquet, and downplayed the value of the letter from Cardinal Arinze.
It is, in fact, the widespread opinion among the Neocatechumenals that Arinze’s letter is something provisional, modifiable, a simple “instrumentum laboris,” and that in the end their practice will receive substantive approval.
This opinion remains current even after the reminder from Benedict XVI on January 12.
In any case, this is the thought of neither Arinze nor the pope. In a February 15 interview with Vatican Radio, the cardinal prefect of the congregation for the liturgy restated that the letter is “the conclusion of the whole affair.” And this is how he explained the process that led to the writing of the letter:
“The letter was occasioned by the results of the examination, conducted by this congregation, of how the Neocatechumenal Way has celebrated the Holy Mass for many years. …] For this examination we had a mixed commission of persons nominated by the Neocatechumenal Way and persons nominated by our congregation. The discussions brought up many of the practices that they employ during the Mass, …] and many of these were not in accordance with the approved books. This is the background. The entire situation was examined over many sessions of the mixed commission, for a period of two years or longer. And there was also, at the bidding of the Holy Father, a discussion among seven cardinals of the Roman curia, who examined everything. So this letter is the conclusion of the whole affair.”
Again, there are two very different ponts of view. But, in the end, the movement finally had to blink.
What does NCW founders Kiko & Carmen teach their catechists concerning Eucharistic Adoration? In their Schema for Catechists (a training manual for NCW catechists, unavailable to the general public), Carmen speaks of the Eucharistic Processions and Adoration of the Middle Ages:
“Great shows began to the Most High, which had never existed before because the Presence was there for the Eucharistic celebration and not the other way around. The bread and wine are not to be shown because they can go off. They’re to be eaten and drunk. I’m always saying to the Sacramentines of Rome that they’ve made an enormous custody of the whole thing: If Christ had wanted the Eucharist in order to be there, He’d have made Himself present in a stone, for instance, because stones can’t go off.”
remnantnewspaper.com/Archives/archive-2008-0430-remnant_news_watch.htmThe Sacramentines, founded in Rome by a Franciscan nun, are the Perpetual Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. The order was approved by Pope Pius VII in 1807. It appears that Pius found great merit in an order that the learned Carmen chastises as a superstitious “enormous custody.” And she is considered the great “theologian/church historian” of the NCW!
Here are the references from Chiesa, a reputable, online magazine that reports on the activities of the Church:I’m sure you must have references for your last statement?
Again according to Kiko’s statements to “La Razón,” Benedict XVI extended his compliments for the missionary activity that the Way carries out in all the continents, and particularly in Asia.
Nevertheless, the Way is also the object of reservations and criticisms on the part of the Church hierarchy.
The anthologies of the catecheses that have been delivered to the members of the Neocatechumenal communities have for many years been under examination by the Vatican authorities, but their definitive approval still seems a long way off.
These texts, contained in multiple volumes under the title “Cammino Neocatecumenale. Orientamenti alle équipes dei catechisti [The Neocatechumenal Way: Guidelines for the Teams of Catechists],” collect the oral tradition of the movement’s initiators, and in particular of Kiko and Carmen Hernández. They are not public, and the Vatican congregation for the doctrine of the faith has made their approval dependant upon a lengthy series of corrections.
There are other reservations about the ways in which the liturgy is celebrated in the Way.
On December 1, 2005, cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the congregation for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments, addressed to the heads of the Way a letter requesting six corrections.
The most important correction concerned the manner of receiving Eucharistic communion: not seated around “a cloth-covered table placed at the center of the church ,” but either standing or kneeling after a procession to the altar, as prescribed for all the faithful by the liturgical books.
Arinze gave two years for adoption of the correct way of receiving communion. And on January 12, 2006, at an audience with thousands of Neocatechumenals, Benedict XVI insisted that they obey.
But as of today, in many Neocatechumenal communities all over the world, communion is still received as before, seated.
Here is the link to the story that appeared in last year’s roster:Confirmation of this disobedience comes from the frequent reminders that the bishops address to the Neocatechumenal communities present in their dioceses.
On February 22, 2007, in an audience with the clergy of Rome, Benedict XVI made it clear that the new statutes would not be approved if they did not follow these instructions.
Chiesa has been onto this story for the past three years and they have been accurate in their reportings, extending their research to how the Way has fared in other countries.And in the end, the pressure worked. The new statutes approved last May 11 require the Neocatechumenals to celebrate the Mass following the general liturgical regulations of the Roman rite. They must receive communion standing. The homily can no longer be replaced with a variety of comments. Their Masses on Saturday evening will be “part of the Sunday liturgical service of the parish,” and will be “open to other members of the faithful as well.”
The good that they do and can do in evangelism is not inherent in their abuses. I can’t understand why they simply wouldn’t agree to the changes to bring them in line with what the Holy Father has said. Their potential for good will be nothing but wasted potential if they ignore all authority and refuse to change. They will complete the circle to full Protestantism.On December 1, 2005, cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the congregation for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments, addressed to the heads of the Way a letter requesting six corrections.
My biggest concern is that they have to be told that all their Masses have to be open to the faithful. A closed group promotes elitism and cult mentality.
To my knowledge, they have yet to fulfill that aspect of the “bargain”, at least as far as my hometown is concerned. I have seen quite a few of them at the anticipated Sunday Mass at the Cathedral (one even proclaims the readings and serves as an EMHC), but, that is about it.The good that they do and can do in evangelism is not inherent in their abuses. I can’t understand why they simply wouldn’t agree to the changes to bring them in line with what the Holy Father has said. Their potential for good will be nothing but wasted potential if they ignore all authority and refuse to change. They will complete the circle to full Protestantism.
My biggest concern is that they have to be told that all their Masses have to be open to the faithful. A closed group promotes elitism and cult mentality.
I think that you are misreading the comments. The Holy Father’s chief concern about the group was their misuse of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. That has been the major bone of contention between the Pope and the Movement. The Pope clearly says one thing and the leaders of the Movement clearly believe something else.For all those who posted here with nothing but words of condemnation for the Neocatechumenal Way, the Holy Father evidently sees it in a different light. Today, January 10, he held a large special audience for its’ members in St.Peter’s Basilica as a celebration of its’ 40th anniversary.
For all those who posted here with nothing but words of condemnation for the Neocatechumenal Way, the Holy Father evidently sees it in a different light. Today, January 10, he held a large special audience for its’ members in St.Peter’s Basilica as a celebration of its’ 40th anniversary.
Según informa un comunicado enviado a ZENIT por esta realidad eclesial, en el acto los iniciadores Kiko Argüello, Carmen Hernández, y el padre Mario Pezzi, presentarán al Papa la primera comunidad del Camino en la ciudad eterna, nacida en la parroquia de los Santos Mártires Canadienses, formada por 49 personas, con unos cien hijos.
I just got back from an NW Mass, and first hand, I heard and said these following words right at the beginning of the Eucharist.
If the Mass is not the Holy Sacrifice — there is no need for the ordained priesthood — now is there.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=3817909#post3817909
It is a very good sign that they are using the prescribed liturgical books for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.I just got back from an NW Mass, and first hand, I heard and said these following words right at the beginning of the Eucharist.
"
Priest: Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice
may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands,
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good, and the good of all his Church.
"
When I said “your hands,” am I not saying this to the priest?
Originally Posted by Walking_Home View Post
If the Mass is not the Holy Sacrifice — there is no need for the ordained priesthood — now is there.
I just got back from an NW Mass, and first hand, I heard and said these following words right at the beginning of the Eucharist.
"
Priest: Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice
may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands,
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good, and the good of all his Church.
"
When I said “your hands,” am I not saying this to the priest?
Cardinal Rylko offered three specific guidelines to members of the Neocatechumenal communities: obedience to bishops, **acknowledgement of the role of the presbyter, **and fidelity to the liturgical texts of the Church.
It’s always been said as far as I can remember…
Of course you would say it — it would show to much of Kiko’s true nature if you didn’t. If there really was no problem with Kiko Arguello’s and the NCW “ideology” on the priesthood —the NCW would not have to correct the “ideology” on the role of the priest – now would it.
It’s always been said as far as I can remember…
This is not allowed. In fact, the Holy Father made it very clear that the Neocatechumenal Way should open its liturgies to the rest of the faiithful. This was a major sticking point between the movement and the Holy Father, among other liturgical issues.NCW had closed Masses? How is that even possible? I’ve never heard of any such thing before. No Mass is ever closed to the public.
And why did they have to even be told this? Closed ceremonies smacks of elitism and cultism. It goes against the very meaning of being Catholic.This is not allowed. In fact, the Holy Father made it very clear that the Neocatechumenal Way should open its liturgies to the rest of the faiithful. This was a major sticking point between the movement and the Holy Father, among other liturgical issues.
Appearances? Have you thought that that response might be genuine instead of a “mask” covering Kiko’s “ideologies?” Even the staunchest critics of the Way accept that it’s recognized by the Vatican as a valid formation of faith for our times. It’s pretty ridiculous to pass it off as one lay man sneaking around under the noses of hundreds of experienced and holy clergy.
Of course mattm09 — Highly unlikely Kiko would be able to pass it of as a Mass if you didn’t. Have to keep up appearances.
There were about 5 people at the Mass last night that have never come before. The priest said this “Christ welcomes you here.”And why did they have to even be told this? Closed ceremonies smacks of elitism and cultism. It goes against the very meaning of being Catholic.