Charismatic Catholicism

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*First off I’m not sure this is the right area to post this but…

I’ve not been Catholic for that long (former evangelical) so I’ve only just recently been exposed at any level to the Charismatic movement within The Church. I guess I’m curious to just how large this movement is within Catholicism, and how fast it’s growing?

As a former evangelical (and I’m speaking for myself here) I have an extreme fear of this movement creeping into Catholicism which up to this point I had been relieved lacked such movements. I really don’t like posting a thread like this but when I was evangelical I had always seen this movement as one of the most dangerous in Christianity.

All of this got prompted because I’ve been listening to Ave Maria Radio and this whole weekend been devoted to Charismatic programming. I’ve always enjoyed Ave Maria so it surprised me to see them do this. I also notice that one of the preacher’s that is featured in this is a preacher to the papal household and so I’ve been wondering just how widespread is the charismatic movement withing The Church?
 
This might be a helpful site to poke around in to get an understanding of what the Church sees as a legitimate Charismatic.
For myself, it took me several years to be able to see this movement with the eyes of a child of the Church rather than a judge of the Church. I am still uncomfortable with this type of spirituality…but then Mother Church is rich beyond compare in different types of spirituality to offer her children.
This is the one place you can rest assured you will not be led astray…in the arms of Holy Mother Church…listening to those She has appointed to lead.
Trust…
Hope…
Obey…
 
the Catholic charismatic renewal began in the 1960s on the campuses of several Catholic colleges, spread to some parishes, and is a fully recognized and approved spirituality for Catholics. Like many other “movements” within the Church there were some abuses (of liturgy and sacraments and theology, not of people) in the 70s, most of the people involved in such abuse are long gone from the CCR and from the Church.

The orthodox bishops, priests and lay people who practice this spirituality make a clear distinction between “Pentecostalism”, the movement that arose in certain fundamentalist sects beginning early in the last century, and the CCR. The abuses and errors of the former have been warned about and for the most part are not a problem.

there are numerous threads discussing this spirituality here and a search will be beneficial, but not necessarily enlightening, since some persons offering comments have no actual experience at all with the CCR.
 
At one time it was very big in my area, but seems to have pretty much died out. There are a few groups here and there of core people, but most Catholics around here are no longer interested in charismatic spirituality. But, we Minnesotans tend to be less attracted to such enthusiasms. On the whole, we prefer those who claim locutions and that sort of thing–less personally intrusive but just as much drama. 😛

You are right, though; there is a dangerous side to the charismatic movement. It can have all the pitfalls of Protestant pentecostals with people judging one another’s spirituality or adherence to the faith or turn into crying sessions or be dominated by strong personalities. It’s why it’s better to stay with groups that practice spiritualities led by those with some knowledge of such things, like a priest, deacon, or nun (orthodox ones, of course).
 
Thanks for the replies. Well I’ll admit that I’m viewing this as I did pentecostalism when I was an evangelical. As long as The Church is keeping an eye on discipline then that’s good. It was just worrisome to me.
 
puzzleannie said:
the Catholic charismatic renewal . . . is a fully recognized and approved spirituality for Catholics.
Click to expand...
Please explain what you mean by this. How was this recognition and approval expressed? By whom?

Spiritus Sanctus tecum.

John Hiner
 
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