The Spiritually Inferiority of non-Charismatics(?)

[fnr]

I recently attended Mass at a charismatic Catholic service (I won’t say which or where). When I was there, the presiding priest discussed a negative time in his life, when he had been assigned to work somewhere other than his home parish, which was part of the Charismatic Renewal. He spoke of how he had feared never returning to his Charismatic home, how he feared that he would be stuck working forever in a place with (paraphrasing as closely to the real thing as I can): “such minimal presence of the Holy Spirit.” His fears had been relieved by his release to his home parish, but as happy as it had made him, I was appalled.

I was interested in exploring the Charismatic movement, as my godmother has been a part of it for many years. But what my visit to that parish left me with the feeling that was that I was a stranger in a “members only” club, that non-“Covenant” churches are viewed as spiritually stunted

I’m not going back to that parish, when there are non-Charismatic parishes available to me. Places where I feel welcome, included, and have been brought to tears, at times, with the beauty of the Mass and of the sacrifice of our Lord.

What I would like to know is whether there is such a feeling of “exceptionalism” among Charismatic Catholics, and whether anyone else has ever felt like an outsider in their midst.

 

[johnstown_johnn]

I recently attended Mass at a charismatic Catholic service (I won’t say which or where). When I was there, the presiding priest discussed a negative time in his life, when he had been assigned to work somewhere other than his home parish, which was part of the Charismatic Renewal. He spoke of how he had feared never returning to his Charismatic home, how he feared that he would be stuck working forever in a place with (paraphrasing as closely to the real thing as I can): “such minimal presence of the Holy Spirit.” His fears had been relieved by his release to his home parish, but as happy as it had made him, I was appalled.

I was interested in exploring the Charismatic movement, as my godmother has been a part of it for many years. But what my visit to that parish left me with the feeling that was that I was a stranger in a “members only” club, that non-“Covenant” churches are viewed as spiritually stunted

I’m not going back to that parish, when there are non-Charismatic parishes available to me. Places where I feel welcome, included, and have been brought to tears, at times, with the beauty of the Mass and of the sacrifice of our Lord.

What I would like to know is whether there is such a feeling of “exceptionalism” among Charismatic Catholics, and whether anyone else has ever felt like an outsider in their midst.

The Sacrifice of the Mass and the worthy reception of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is the core of our Faith and NOTHING supercedes or places that as a secondary or inferior part of the Faith.

To think that the Holy Spirit has a kind of theatrical engagement at those assemblies is frightening. It smacks of competition between the Second and the Third Persons of the Holy Trinity.

In the Eucharist we are all brothers and sisters and become a family member with Jesus and consequently with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

What I would like to know is whether there is such a feeling of “exceptionalism” among Charismatic Catholics, and whether anyone else has ever felt like an outsider in their midst.

I’ve been to charismatic gatherings, and I do sort of feel like I don’t quite fit in… I don’t really like the dancing or all the hand motions, and the songs are too… I don’t know if “happy” is quite the word for it.

 

[Della]

Elitism is a pitfall many fall into, thinking their particular charism better than any other, or worse, that it makes them better Catholics than others. I think the priest you mentioned, fnr, needs to have a serious talk with his confessor or his bishop. He’s certainly off the beam if he thinks the charismatic gifts make him or anyone else “more spiritual” than other Catholics.

 

[byers]

Considering that for almost 2000 years there were no separate ‘charismatic’ churches…this priest and these people must feel superior to the majority of catholics, including all the saints, throughout church history.

Sounds more like he missed all the immature emotional highs. There seems to be a serious problem confusing emotional and enthusiastic behavior with the workings of the Holy Spirit.

 

[schatzi]

Considering that for almost 2000 years there were no separate ‘charismatic’ churches…this priest and these people must feel superior to the majority of catholics, including all the saints, throughout church history.

Sounds more like he missed all the immature emotional highs. There seems to be a serious problem confusing emotional and enthusiastic behavior with the workings of the Holy Spirit.

I stated on another thread how charismatic conferences held here all had the atmosphere of a high school reunion - the old songs, the old ways, and mostly - the old charismatics. New leadership in areas of praise and worship is not encouraged. In its static state (and I realize this is not necessarily the norm) it will soon end.
The mistake made is in substituting emotionalism for deep, abiding faith. Emotionalism temporarily sustains, generally from one high point to another.
The charismatic renewal’s work is to help us integrate deeper into the Church, not provide entertainment and emotional release.
I seek what’s authentic, and faithful. The mass, even the driest, most boring mass, has our Lord in the Eucharist. That’s good enough for me.

 

[brigid12]

I stated on another thread how charismatic conferences held here all had the atmosphere of a high school reunion - the old songs, the old ways, and mostly - the old charismatics. New leadership in areas of praise and worship is not encouraged. In its static state (and I realize this is not necessarily the norm) it will soon end.

Unfortunately, I too have experienced this and seen how “set in their ways” some can be. It is not always the case but all too common, I’m afraid. Human’s often have a problem with superiority and “our way”. However I have been in places where members of an established group are friendly and welcoming to “newbies”, usually where the Charismatic Movement is fairly strong anyway so people in it don’t feel the need to be on the defensive. Well, I guess, it all goes back to the Garden.