What do you think of the Neocatechumenal Way?

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The following is information that one the “Neocatechumenal Way”.
The last 2 are Neocatechumenal “priests”.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=92543&highlight=neocatechumenal

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=91153&highlight=Neocatechumenal

popebenedict16.blogspot.com/2005/12/liturgy-benedict-xvi-brings.html

heathcliff huxtable said…
i belong to the “way” and have experience with the liturgy. first off, i was told during the catechesis that the sacraficial aspect of the mass was a result of pagan inculturization shortly after constantine’s reign when the eucharist went from the catecombs and homes into basilicas. they said that the original primitive understanding of the eucharist was a celebration of the passover of Christ and was strictly a sacred banquet and not a sacrifice to appease God who didn’t need it.

at the end of the way’s mass, we would hold hands and dance around the table and sing some jewish song. i also remember people becoming very upset when we were told we had to recive the bread on our hands sitting down. one lady started to cry and the priest told her it was the devil doing it.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=150884

Quote=skirjohn
Last Thursday I attended mass and was challenged or misunderstood something the priest talked about during his homily. He talked about the “word” the “community” and the “Eucharist” being equal. Perhaps I am confused between “equil” and the “same”. We were challenged as to why we bow and kneel before the consecrated cup and bread but not to each other or the word.
He said that according to vatican 2 you must have the word and community for the consecration to be valid. I thought this was protastant theology to believe that consecration was the result of the community presence. Can you clarify this?

ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?Pgnu=3&Pg=Forum6&recnu=72&number=504371

Consecrated Host
Question from Matt on 5/25/2007:

The priest at our parish just explained that if we truly have faith that we as lay people can change the host at Mass into the blessed sacrament. I never realized this before. Why do priests need to be ordained then as I’m sure our priest have faith? Can you expalin this to me?
 
paramedicgirl said:
Does anyone here have any experiences with the Neocatechumenal Way? I have heard a little about them, mostly that they are disobedient to the Magisterium, but are still a valid society, (if that’s the right word) in the eyes of the Church.

Have they broken with all the traditions and started their own interpretation of being Catholic? How exactly are they disobedient?

I’m also wondering if they got a good start, with pure intentions, and then became the apparent controversial group that I keep hearing we are warned to stay away from today.

I have looked them up on the Internet, but would like to hear (name removed by moderator)ut from people who know about them.
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A catechumen is a candidate for baptism. In more modern terms, someone attending RCIA.

It is an exciting time spiritually. The neocatechumen way tries to capture and rediscover that excitement. The inherent flaw with it is that a catechmen is in transition. You simply can’t stay there forever. The time comes to be baptised, confirmed, and within a month or two you are no longer the new boy but a regular Catholic, for most people primarily father or mother of a family, or someone looking to find a partner (another exciting time you can’t remain at indefinitely), although a few will become priests or religious, or find other paths in life.

Often we are too negative about groups like this. They often attract people with deep-seated social or personality problems. They don’t solve these problems entirely, but often they do make things better. Rather artificial, intense, managed relationships are better than sitting at home alone in front of the telly. However they are not for averagely successful, well-adjusted people.
 
Malcolm_McLean said:
A catechumen is a candidate for baptism. In more modern terms, someone attending RCIA.

It is an exciting time spiritually. The neocatechumen way tries to capture and rediscover that excitement. The inherent flaw with it is that a catechmen is in transition. You simply can’t stay there forever. The time comes to be baptised, confirmed, and within a month or two you are no longer the new boy but a regular Catholic, for most people primarily father or mother of a family, or someone looking to find a partner (another exciting time you can’t remain at indefinitely), although a few will become priests or religious, or find other paths in life.

Often we are too negative about groups like this. They often attract people with deep-seated social or personality problems. They don’t solve these problems entirely, but often they do make things better. Rather artificial, intense, managed relationships are better than sitting at home alone in front of the telly. However they are not for averagely successful, well-adjusted people.
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The problem with that is—they take people who may have problems—and instead of helping them to overcome the problems thru sound Catholic teaching—the Neocatechumenls teach them heresy.
 
Some of the CAF thread links that WH provided from people who have had experiences with them make it sound like brainwashing and brow beating, with the ultimate goal of changing their religious practices to new ones not in conformity with Church teaching. To my knowledge, the Neocatechumenal Way does not exist in my area, so I’ve never had any contact with them. Hence the curiosity.
 
paramedicgirl said:
Some of the CAF thread links that WH provided from people who have had experiences with them make it sound like brainwashing and brow beating, with the ultimate goal of changing their religious practices to new ones not in conformity with Church teaching. To my knowledge, the Neocatechumenal Way does not exist in my area, so I’ve never had any contact with them. Hence the curiosity.
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In a nutshell—that is what the Neocatechumenal “catechists” do.
 
paramedicgirl said:
How is it that they are allowed to operate as Catholic, then?
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That is a question—that reaches to the depths of my soul. I would imagine–back at the time of the Arian heresy—on the surface the Arians appeared to do good—and this was used by the Arians to turn the majority of the Church — Arian.
 
My parish has a neocat community. They meet on Saturday evening for Mass, not in the church, but in the church hall. This Mass is not advertised anywhere in the church literature and I only found about about it by accident.
Their presence has deeply divided the parish with some strongly supporting them and the rest feeling very left out. One of the main complaints by non-neocat members is that neocat members are given all the “jobs” within the parish. They are the lectors, read prayers of the faithful, are on all the church commities etc and it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary people to play an active role.
On a possive note, since the neocat community arrived we have had a huge increase in vocations. We have a small seminary here, last year we had 2 new priest ordained, the year before that 3 new priests. Christains make up less than 1% of the population and about 1/2 of all Christains are Catholics so to have 5 new priests in the past 3 years is huge. There are at present about 10 young men at the seminary.
Gearoidin
 
Gearoidin said:
My parish has a neocat community. They meet on Saturday evening for Mass, not in the church, but in the church hall. This Mass is not advertised anywhere in the church literature and I only found about about it by accident.
Their presence has deeply divided the parish with some strongly supporting them and the rest feeling very left out. One of the main complaints by non-neocat members is that neocat members are given all the “jobs” within the parish. They are the lectors, read prayers of the faithful, are on all the church commities etc and it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary people to play an active role.
On a possive note, since the neocat community arrived we have had a huge increase in vocations. We have a small seminary here, last year we had 2 new priest ordained, the year before that 3 new priests. Christains make up less than 1% of the population and about 1/2 of all Christains are Catholics so to have 5 new priests in the past 3 years is huge. There are at present about 10 young men at the seminary.
Gearoidin
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Hate to break it to you Gearoidin—if those are Neocatechumenal priests----that is not positive.
 
Walking_Home said:
Hate to break it to you Gearoidin—if those are Neocatechumenal priests----that is not positive.
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Agreed…I also remember reading (from a credible source, but I don’t remember where it was) that they celebrate Mass seated around a table, like at the Last Supper. That was fine for the Apostles, but this “get back to the way the early Church did things” crowd annoys me. These things seem like an excuse to be irreverent under the disguise of tradition. We are not in the early Church anymore.

This group was once featured on EWTN’s Ecclesial Movements in the Universal Church (with Father C. John McCloskey)…I certainly hope they didn’t know it was problematic back then.
 
m134e5 said:
Agreed…I also remember reading (from a credible source, but I don’t remember where it was) that they celebrate Mass seated around a table, like at the Last Supper. That was fine for the Apostles, but this “get back to the way the early Church did things” crowd annoys me. These things seem like an excuse to be irreverent under the disguise of tradition. We are not in the early Church anymore.

This group was once featured on EWTN’s Ecclesial Movements in the Universal Church (with Father C. John McCloskey)…I certainly hope they didn’t know it was problematic back then.
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Yes—the Neocatechumenals are behind that ideology of “getting back to the early Church”—since they are taught the Church went wrong early on. They have been able to deceive many–so EWTN may not have been aware of what the Neocatechumenal Way really is.
 
Gearoidin said:
My parish has a neocat community. They meet on Saturday evening for Mass, not in the church, but in the church hall. This Mass is not advertised anywhere in the church literature and I only found about about it by accident.
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The founders of this group were specifically warned by Pope Benedict XVI against this very thing. He’s had some positive things to say about them, I think, BUT he has forbidden some liturgical practices that I’ve heard are still going on. Of course, this happens in regular parishes, I would reckon a NCW priest probably has as difficult a time reading the rubrics as lots of the non-NCW priests!:rolleyes:
 
paramedicgirl said:
I’d have to gather more information first. I really know very little about them, and what I’ve found out so far doesn’t look very promising.
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Paramedic Girl : I usually don’t cite Wikipedia, BUT someone is regularly updating the NCW’s citation there. Read that. It covers recent comments made by the Holy Father.
 
paramedicgirl said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by labernadette
Why don’t you ask the Pope?

I’d have to gather more information first. I really know very little about them, and what I’ve found out so far doesn’t look very promising.
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Who do the Neocatechumenls listen to. 1 1/2 years since the Pope requested they comply with the corrections–yet they only follow and listen to Kiko Arguello.

chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio.jsp?id=148521&eng=y

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.
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.

Confirmation of this disobedience comes from the frequent reminders that the bishops address to the Neocatechumenal communities present in their dioceses.
In Italy, the latest reminder of this kind was issued by the bishop of Avellino, Francesco Marino. The document bears the date of March 26, 2007, and attached to it is the letter from cardinal Arinze dated December 1, 2005.
 
Hi, after several attempts - I finally made it. Just one comment for the moment. I was in the neo-catechumenate for 30 years and finally left last year. This is causing great stress within the family as other members still involved.

I wish them all well and do not regret being in it all these years but over the years I began to feel very uneasy especially when attending the Eucharist. Their explanations (catechists) as to why things are done differently do not alter. They believe totally in everything that comes from Kiko, whereas I was always questioning. Now they seem to think that everything has been settled because, during the recent meeting in June with Kiko and the Holy Father, apparently it has been agreed that they can now stand for receiving Holy Communion!

There is so much good in the Way and I would hate to see it ended, however, I just wish they would get in line with the true Catholic Church and then there would be so many more rich fruit. God bless them all but Our Blessed Mother is leading me to more Adoration and the Rosary and more Marian devotions. God bless you all. Nightengale
 
I was member of the NCW for several years. I have experienced both positive and negative while being a member. First and foremost being part of the NCW is a total commitment. Aside from attending the Catechisis that introduces one to the ncw, there are also many preparations. The initial catechisis is 2 nights per week for 6 weeks. It ends with a retreat that lasts for 3 days. Following the retreat you begin the commitment. In the ncw there is what could be called a bible study, or the ncw term is “word”, members of a community prepare. A specific word is given and then the people preparing go through the bible( then New Jerusulem Bible only) find passages that fit the word. This prep can go on for hours, and does follow a specific formula. 2 days after preparing members attends this “word”. As for Mass, it is not called Mass, it’s Eucharist. Another small group from the community prepares for this. They do not pick readings, but songs, (only ones that were wriiten and approved by Kiko, and Carmen.) who will read and do admonitions. These admontions are synopsis of the readings and Gospel, contain feelings, how they relate to everyone. Then there are the experience occuring at some point during the Eucharist,are statements on how the reading and gospel have helped them. After Communion (sitting down) and the priest leaves the alter area. They dance around the Alter. To be an active part of the ncw there is a commitment of at least 3 days per week. But, there is also a Convivence once a month. a one day thing, held by each community on a Sunday. There are Convivences that last an entire weekend. These are mandatory and members have cut off vacations, not attended family functions, and lost jobs to attend.
Catechists are all empowering, usually a group of 6 or so from the ncw who have reached a certain step. The catechists are basically in charge of the community they began. Anything that goes on in a community has to be run by the catechists. Community members are also encouraged to discuss personal problems with catechists. Scutinies, are differnt steps that ncw members take, about 8 in all. Just because a community goes through the process doesnt mean they will pass a step. Several communities go through the same step many times before they pass. The catechists along with a High up ncw priest decide. Scrutinies begin with several meetings aside from regular word and eurcharist. A several day retreat, then a series of meetings lasting several weeks, meeting at least 3 nights a week. I have had both positive and negative experiences. On the positive, there is a real sense of belonging and community. Members help eachother with family and business.
On the negitive it is all or nothing. You are almost expected to give up a part of your life. Making the ncw your only way. There is a arrogance in some of the catechists. That they are the only ones who are in the know. Questions are not answered, responses are usually with the wait and you will see answer. In some areas most of the communities are made up of the children of members, A child goes through a catechisis at 13, and becomes part of his or her own community. Large families are of 8 or more are not uncommon. These children really dont know what it is like not to have a life revolved around the ncw, so many decide to entire the ncw priesthood. Although many decide not go into the priesthood after a year or two.
The ncw has also torn apart local parishes. There have been battles of the regular parish members because the ncw seems to take over when they arrive. It is usually done slowly over a period of a couple of years. I have also seen many people remain active in the ncw and have normal lives, the are happy with it, and others who run in horror. I left because we moved to an area without any ncw. I would not consider trying to start a group in my area. Right now I attend a rural parish and I like it just fine. Although I do keep in touch with a few ncw members.
 
I also wanted to add that I have heard some great stories of how the NCW has helped those who were in need of sprititual guidence. Marriages saved, and some problems solved. Members have said that if it wasnt for the NCW they would not be in attending church today. What always bothered me about it was the blind obedience to Kiko and Carmen and other leaders of the NCW. The no questions tolerated attitude. The secretive nature of the leaders and catechists. They way it seems to take over a parish, almost before the parishners know what is going on. Everything connected with the NCW in a particular parish has to be told through the first community, they are usually the ones who have been members the longest.
Is the NCW for everyone? NO!. It has been my experience that in my particular community, there were 29 people that attended the initial catechsis. 14 were children of first community members that grew up in the NCW. The rest were like me curious about the group and had no prior connection, or a member of an established community told them about it. Of the 15 outsiders that attended there were 12 of us who actually kept going and participated with another 4 who left after less than one year, and one who only showed up when they felt like it. I stated in my previous post on this subject that I left the group. I left the NCW before I moved. I just couldnt do it anymore.
 
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