Pope urges charismatic Catholics to work for Christian unity, warns against authoritarianism [CWN]

[CWN_News]

Pope Francis warned members of the Catholic charismatic renewal movement not to succumb to temptations to authoritarianism and called upon them to work for Christian unity and to introduce …

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[Abba]

The Pope, of course, has spoken well and with wisdom. However, I don’t think it is all the doings of the Charismatics to seemingly begin to separate themselves. I think the rest of Catholics, including the hierarchy, contributes to isolating them. They should bring their joys and gifts to the rest of the world and the Church, but, at the same time the Church should be more welcoming to them. This makes me recall the priests who thought he was too wise to have a crucifix - it was just too barbaric for him.

It seems to me that in our modern times, people with gifts from the Holy Spirit are hushed and sometimes ridiculed and their mental state questioned. This is to deny our faith and cherry pick in the spiritual reality. I do think the Charismatics can enrich the life of the Church and this most specially in our days, yet, they are rejected and snobbed.

 

[Sirach2]

Abba, you may be encouraged by Pope Francis’ warm welcome of these participants. In fact, he himself invited them to Rome. Here are excerpts from the original document written in Italian, and referenced by the OP.

Meeting with Members of the Renewal in the Holy Spirit, 07/03/2015

Dear brothers and sisters,

Good afternoon and welcome. I appreciate so much the answer that you gave to my call that I made in January to meet us here in St. Peter’s Square. Thank you for this warm and enthusiastic response.Last year I shared the stage with everyone present some thoughts that I would like to recall today - because it is always good to remember, the identity of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which gave rise to the association Renewal in the Spirit. I will do it with the words of Cardinal Leon-Joseph Suenens, great protector of the Charismatic Renewal, as described in the second book of his memoirs.

First in this place he recalls the extraordinary figure of a woman who did so much at the beginning of the Charismatic Renewal, was his co-worker who also enjoyed the trust and affection of the Pope Paul VI. I refer to Veronica O’Brien: it was she who asked the Cardinal to go to the US to see what was going on, to see with his own eyes what she considered the Holy Spirit. It was then that Cardinal Suenens met the Charismatic Renewal, which he called a “stream of grace”, and was the key person to keep it in the Church. Pope Paul VI in the Mass of Pentecost Monday thanked him in 1975 with these words: “In the name of the Lord I thank you for bringing the Charismatic Renewal in the heart of the Church.”

This current of grace leads us forward on the path of the Church in Italy has given much fruit, thank you. I encourage you to move forward. I ask for your important contribution in particular to commit to share with everyone in the Church Baptism you received. Have you had this experience, share it in the Church. And this service is very important, more important that we can give everyone in the Church. Help the people of God in the personal encounter with Jesus Christ, that changes in men and new women, in small groups, humble but effective because it is the Spirit that works.

 

[Abba]

Abba, you may be encouraged by Pope Francis’ warm welcome of these participants. In fact, he himself invited them to Rome.

I understand Pope Francis called the meeting and it’s nice. It is also very nice that he corrected and offered guidance to the group. He is a good shepherd. :tiphat:

I am pointing out, not in anyway contrary to what the Pope has noted with the Italian group he addressed; but complimentary to it -the fact that the Charismatic group is isolated from the life of the Church. I am pointing out that it takes two to tango.

Pope Francis warned members of the Catholic charismatic renewal movement not to succumb to temptations to authoritarianism and called upon them to work for Christian unity and to introduce the poor to the Gospel.

The Pontiff made his extemporaneous remarks on July 3 to members of Rinnovamento nello Spirito Santo (Renewal of the Holy Spirit) who were taking part in their Italian national convocation and had gathered in St. Peter’s Square on a rainy afternoon. The gathering had an ecumenical theme, and some Orthodox prelates and Protestant clergy were present.

Reviewing the history of the Catholic charismatic renewal, Pope Francis cited remarks by the late Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens that the movement is called to be a river of grace that becomes lost in the ocean of God. If the movement works for itself and does not flow into the ocean of God’s love, “this is from the evil one, the father of lies,” said the Pope.

The Pontiff reminded charismatic Catholics that unity does not mean uniformity and warned lay leaders in the movement against tendencies to authoritarianism, which he said is also from the devil. Leadership, he said, should be limited in time, lest it become a lifelong dictatorship.

I think is good that the Charismatics have a group and meet and all. But, this should be secondary to their existence as individuals integrated in the life of their diocese. It seems to me that presenting them or for them to exist as a group once removed from their diocese and parishes is contributing to the very distance the Pope is pointing out.

In other words, what can we do about it? I don’t think it is all on them. I think people who have been blessed with spiritual gifts have their place in the Church as witnesses to our faith. There is a spiritual beauty to which they humbly serve as witnesses, but the little lamp is being put under the bed - locally - in many dioceses.

The Charismatics of dioceses could be provided with better spiritual guidance and not neglected and their existence denied but instead the little lamps should be taken from under the beds.

 

[incense]

…I think is good that the Charismatics have a group and meet and all. But, this should be secondary to their existence as individuals integrated in the life of their diocese. It seems to me that presenting them or for them to exist as a group once removed from their diocese and parishes is contributing to the very distance the Pope is pointing out. …

You mean just like convents and monasteries and homeschoolers and hospitals, and charities, and lay groups and so on and so on? That’s why the Catholic Church is so great. No matter where you are in your faith, how deep you want to dig, how intellectual, or how spiritual or how charismatic, or how servicing, there is always a place for you. There is always food for you to grow. There is never an empty answer. But, it’s becomes easy to decide that you don’t need the bishop, or the church doctrine on just this one little issue is wrong, and you start going down the wrong path. He’s just reminding them to stay with the church. And suggesting that changing leaders will keep you there. All the other groups should listen too.

 

[Abba]

You mean just like convents and monasteries and homeschoolers and hospitals, and charities, and lay groups and so on and so on? That’s why the Catholic Church is so great. No matter where you are in your faith, how deep you want to dig, how intellectual, or how spiritual or how charismatic, or how servicing, there is always a place for you. There is always food for you to grow. There is never an empty answer. But, it’s becomes easy to decide that you don’t need the bishop, or the church doctrine on just this one little issue is wrong, and you start going down the wrong path. He’s just reminding them to stay with the church. And suggesting that changing leaders will keep you there. All the other groups should listen too.

No, that’s not what I mean.

 

[EIF5A]

What exactly is the difference between authoritarianism and obedience/submission?

Is it a matter of extremism and lack of prudence?