Reuben, I’ll give you another example. This one is not from the “Catholic Charismatic Renewal”, but from a self-proclaimed charismatic priest from an Eastern Catholic Church. This one is promoting Medjugorje, as have a bunch from his charismatic community, in violation of the latest directive from the Vatican and against the last 3 local bishops of the area:
te-deum.blogspot.com/2015/03/ivan-dragicevic-thumbs-nose-at-cdf.html
patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/03/sidestepping-orders-from-the-vatican-medjugorje-visionary-hosts-apparition-in-private-home-in-missouri/
Is this ‘of the Spirit’ - Disobeying the directive, going to Medjugorje himself (he said during his sermon) and “experiencing our Blessed Mother”?
Same priest claims charismatic gifts… for what? He’s not “building up the church” with going against Vatican directives and bishops.
Oh, I see your point. Medjugorje is an interesting case, AFAIK, began with Marian spirituality. The apparitions and miracles were not recognized by the Vatican, meaning at best they were merely private revelations. Yes, there were huge following and pilgrimage.
That it should evolve into something charismatic is obviously strange though I have no answer to it. If it is not officially recognized by Rome, and if they are doing something that deviate from the faith and main practice, definitely it is a problem.
Fair enough that you do not associate them with the official CCR.
For information here are two of the governing bodies of the Renewal in the Vatican, (1)
ICCRS – an umbrella body for CCR and (2)
CFCCCF – a fraternity of the Covenant Communities.
1. ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service)
The ICCRS, Located in the Vatican, is the umbrella body of the CCR (Catholic Charismatic Renewal). The ICCRS Council officially meets to find new ways to serve the worldwide CCR. The decisions, events, and initiatives are made during each meeting, then are formally carried out by the staff of the ICCRS office.
In addition to the current office staff, ICCRS is aided by the efforts of volunteers from all over the world who contribute through their translations, technical services, and financial support.
They quote this passage in their statute:
“It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastor and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” EPHESIANS 4:11-12
http://www.iccrs.org/Dettaglio.php?id_liv3=161&WEB=ICCRS_Office
2. CFCCCF (The Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships)
The Catholic Fraternity is a private association of Christian faithful of pontifical right. It is formally recognized by the Holy Father and has ongoing relationship with Rome through the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Also in Rome, it is a body for the Catholic Covenant Communities worldwide. It was set up, motivated by the desire both to assure greater dialogue and collaboration among themselves and to deepen their communion with the Successor of Peter as an element of their Catholic identity.
catholicfraternity.net/wordpress/
Thus the CCR activities in your local parish can be checked with the local Diocese Service Team (DST) which is invariably linked to the ICCRS.
Covenant Communities, though under the local ordinary, if they are members of CFCCCF, are recognized directly by the Vatican.
This obviously makes it easy to ascertain their authenticity and legitimacy, and of course, for the purpose of monitoring, if and when necessary.
God bless.
Reuben
