Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a spiritual movement within the Catholic

Catholic Charismatic
Church that incorporates aspects of both Catholic and Charismatic Movement
Renewal
practice. It is influenced by some of the teachings of Protestantism and
Pentecostalism with an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus
and expressing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.[1]

Parishes that practice charismatic worship usually hold prayer meetings outside
of Mass and feature such gifts as prophecy, faith healing, and glossolalia. In Ann
Arbor, Michigan, a Catholic church describes charismatic worship as "uplifted
hands during songs and audible praying in tongues." It further distinguishes a
A dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit,
charismatic congregation as one that emphasises complete surrender to Jesus in
who is believed by Christians to
all parts of life, obedience to both the Gospel and Catholic teaching, as well as
confer various gifts
Christ-centred friendships.[2]
Formation 1967
Perceptions of the Charismatic movement vary within the Catholic Church.
Founder William Storey and
Proponents hold the belief that certain charismata (a Greek word for "gifts") are
Ralph Keifer
still bestowed by the Holy Spirit today as they were in Early Christianity as
Type Catholic apostolic
described in the Bible. Critics accuse Charismatic Catholics of misinterpreting,
movement
or in some cases violating, Church teachings on worship and liturgy. Traditional
Catholics, in particular, argue that charismatic practices shift the focus of Headquarters Vatican
worship away from reverent communion with Christ in the Eucharist and Website www.iccrs.org (htt
towards individual emotions and non-liturgical experiences as a substitute. p://www.iccrs.org/)

Contents
Theological foundations
Origins
Expansion
Catholic Charismatic Renewal today
CCR Golden Jubilee 2017
Reaction from the Church hierarchy
Criticism
See also
References
Further reading
External links

Theological foundations
Renewal advocates believe that the charisms identified in Saint Paul's writings,
especially in Romans 12:6-8 (http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Romans+12:6–1
2:8&version=nrsv), 1 Corinthians 12-14 (http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Co
rinthians+12–14&version=nrsv), and Ephesians 4:11-12 (http://bible.oremus.or
g/?passage=Ephesians+4:11–4:12&version=nrsv), continue to exist and to build
up the Church (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2003). The nine
charismatic gifts considered extraordinary in character include: faith, expression
of knowledge and wisdom, miracles, the gift of tongues and their interpretation,
prophecy, discernment of spirits and healing.(1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (http://bible.
oremus.org/?passage=1+Corinthians+12:8–12:10&version=nrsv))[3] These gifts
are related to the traditional seven gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Isaiah
11:1-2 (http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Isaiah+11:1–11:2&version=nrsv)
(wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the
Lord, as listed in Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1831). The nine
charismatic gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+
Corinthians+12:8–12:10&version=nrsv) are also related to the spiritual and
corporal works of mercy.[4] Other references to charisms in the Catechism of the
Catholic Church include §§688, 768, 799-801, 890, 951, 1508 (charism of
healing) and 2035. The belief that spiritual gifts exist in the present age is called
Continuationism.

Origins
In search of a Spiritual experience, professors from Duquesne University, a
Catholic university in Pittsburgh, attended the Congress of the Cursillo Pentecost by El Greco
movement in August 1966. While visiting, they were introduced to the book
entitled The Cross and the Switchblade, which emphasized the Holy Spirit and
the Spirit’s charisms. This book became the focus of their studies and further led them to pursue the Holy Spirit.

In January 1967, professors Ralph Keifer and Patrick Bourgeois attended a prayer meeting where they ultimately received the
baptism in the Holy Spirit. The following week, Keifer laid hands on other Duquesne professors, and they also had an experience
with the Spirit. Then, in February, during a gathering of Duquesne University students at The Ark and The Dove Retreat Center
north of Pittsburgh, more people asked Keifer to pray over them. This led to the event at the chapel where they too received the
Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, as well as many other students who were present in the chapel.[5] Keifer sent the news of this
event to the University of Notre Dame, where a similar event later occurred, and the Renewal began to spread.[6]

Expansion
Adherents of the movement formed prayer groups called covenant communities. In these communities, members practiced a
stronger commitment to spiritual ideals and created documents, or covenants, that set up rules of life. One of the first structured
covenant communities was the Word of God Community. It affiliated with the International Communications Office in the 1980s,
and its continued growth resulted in a larger overall community called The Sword of the Spirit. The original Word of God
Community eventually split from The Sword of the Spirit, however. Of the two original founders of the communities, one stayed
with the Word of God and founded an international ministry that reached Eastern Europe and Africa, while the other remained
president of the Sword of the Spirit, which as of 2007, had 47 member communities and 16 affiliated communities around the
world.[1]
In addition to the covenant institutions, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal also experienced international development due to
missionary priests who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit while visiting the United States and implemented their own
such services when they returned home. The International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services had a significant role in the
guidance of this form of expansion.[1]

Catholic Charismatic Renewal today

As of 2013, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal exists in over 230 countries in the
world, with over 160 million members.[7] Participants in the Renewal also
cooperate with non-Catholic ecclesiastical communities and other Catholics for
ecumenism, as encouraged by the Catholic Church.[8]

The Eucharist being elevated during
a Catholic Charismatic Renewal
healing service, in which the faithful
not only pray for spiritual and
physical healings, but also for
miracles.
The Charismatic element of the Church is seen as being evident today as it was
in the early days of Christianity. Some Catholic Charismatic communities
conduct healing services, gospel power services, outreaches and evangelizations
where the presence of the Holy Spirit is believed to be felt, and healings and
miracles are said to take place.[9] The mission of the Catholic Charismatic
Renewal is to educate believers into the totality of the declaration of the gospels.
This is done by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; a one-to-one
relationship with Jesus is seen as a possibility by the Charismatic. He is
encouraged to talk to Jesus directly and search for what The Lord is saying so
that his life will be one with Him; to walk in the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians
5:22-23 (http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Galatians+5:22–5:23&version=nrsv),
this is what the Charismatic understands by giving their life to Jesus. Conscience
is seen as an alternative voice of Jesus Christ.[10]

CCR Golden Jubilee 2017

In response to the invitation of Pope Francis,[11] ICCRS and Catholic Fraternity
are organizing together the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Golden Jubilee event
in 2017. The event began on May 31 and celebrations continued until Pentecost
Praise and Worship during a CCR Mass on June 4.[12]
Healing Service.

Reaction from the Church hierarchy

The initial reaction to the movement by the Church hierarchy was cautiously supportive. Some initially supported it as being a
harbinger of ecumenism (greater unity of Gospel witness among the different Christian traditions). It was thought that these
practices would draw the Catholic Church and Protestant communities closer together in a truly spiritual ecumenism. Today, the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal enjoys support from most of the Church's hierarchy, from the Pope to bishops of dioceses around
the world, as a recognized ecclesial movement.[13][14][15][16]

Four popes have acknowledged the movement: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. Pope Paul VI
acknowledged the movement in 1971 and reaffirmed it in 1975.[1][17] He went on to say that the movement brought vitality and
joy to the Church but also mentioned for people to be discerning of the spirits.[5] Pope John Paul II was also supportive of the
Renewal and was in favor of its conservative politics.[1] He (as well as then-Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI)
acknowledged good aspects of the movement while urging caution, pointing out that members must maintain their Catholic
identity and communion with the Catholic Church.[13]
Pope John Paul II, in particular, made a number of statements on the movement.
On November 30, 1990, The Pontifical Council for the Laity promulgated the
decree which inaugurated the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant
Communities and Fellowships. Brian Smith of Brisbane, elected President of the
Executive of the Fraternity, called the declaration the most significant event in
the history of the charismatic renewal since the 1975 Holy Year international
conference and the acknowledgment it received from Pope Paul VI at that time,
saying: "It is the first time that the Renewal has had formal, canonical
recognition by the Vatican."[14]

In March 1992, Pope John Paul II stated

At this moment in the Church's history, the Charismatic Renewal

can play a significant role in promoting the much-needed defense
of Christian life in societies where secularism and materialism
have weakened many people's ability to respond to the Spirit and
to discern God's loving call. Your contribution to the re-
evangelization of society will be made in the first place by Pope John Paul II
personal witness to the indwelling Spirit and by showing forth
His presence through works of holiness and solidarity.[15]

Moreover, during Pentecost 1998, the Pope recognized the essential nature of the charismatic dimension:

"The institutional and charismatic aspects are co-essential as it were to the Church’s constitution. They contribute, although
differently, to the life, renewal and sanctification of God’s People. It is from this providential rediscovery of the Church’s
charismatic dimension that, before and after the Council, a remarkable pattern of growth has been established for ecclesial
movements and new communities."[16]

The Papal Preacher, Rev. Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, has written on the topic numerous times since 1986.[18]

Criticism
Charismatic Catholics and their practices have been criticized for distracting Catholics from authentic Church teachings and
traditions, especially by making the worship experience more akin to Pentecostal Protestantism.[19] According to Samuel
Rodriguez, Charismatic services in America simply help in increasing the number of Catholics converting to Pentecostal and
evangelical denominations: “If you are involved in a Charismatic service today, in ten years’ time—inevitably—you are going to
end up in one of my churches.”[20] In particular, some traditionalists criticize charismatic Catholics as being crypto-Protestant.[21]

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ is actually present on the altar in the sacrifice of the Mass, when a priest consecrates
bread and wine to become the body and blood of Jesus. Critics of the charismatic movement argue that practices such as faith
healing draw attention away from the Mass and the communion with Christ that takes place therein.

Others criticize the movement for removing or obscuring traditional Catholic symbols (such as the crucifix and Sacred Heart) in
favor of more contemporary expressions of faith.[22]

The belief that extraordinary spiritual gifts no longer operate in ordinary circumstances is called Cessationism.

See also
 Charismatic movement
Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Latin America
Church Movement
Community of the Chemin Neuf
Divine Retreat Centre
Emmanuel Community
Frank Hammond
Jesus Youth
Pentecostalism
Prayer meeting

References
1. Csordas, Thomas J. (September 2007). "Global religion and the re-enchantment of the world: The case of the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal". Anthropological Theory. 7 (3): 295–314. doi:10.1177/1463499607080192 (http
s://doi.org/10.1177%2F1463499607080192).
2. Christ the King Catholic Church (http://www.rc.net/lansing/ctk/welcome/index.html) Archived (https://web.archive.
org/web/20060507192431/http://www.rc.net/lansing/ctk/welcome/index.html) 2006-05-07 at the Wayback
Machine
3. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd ed., §2003 (1997) (http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2003.htm)
4. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd ed., §2447 (1997) (http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2447.htm)
5. Laurentin, Rene (1977). Catholic Pentecostalism. New York: Doubleday & Company. pp. 23–24.
ISBN 0385121296.
6. Neitz, Mary Jo (1987). Charisma and Community. New Jersey: Transaction. p. 214. ISBN 0887381308.
7. Nucci, Alessandra. "The Charismatic Renewal and the Catholic Church", The Catholic World Report, May 18,
2013 (http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/2269/the_charismatic_renewal_and_the_catholic_church.aspx)
8. Pope John Paul II, "Ut Unum Sint", §40, May 25, 1995 (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclical
s/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25051995_ut-unum-sint_en.html)
9. Marana tha' Malta (http://www.maranathamalta.com/)
10. McDonnell & Montague, Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from the First Eight
Centuries, Michael Glazier Books, 1990. See also the work of the Cor et Lumen Christi Community based in
England at link (http://www.coretlumenchristi.org/).
11. "Video of Pope's Invitation," (https://vimeo.com/146656297). Retrieved 2016-04-20.
12. "Homepage of the event" (http://www.ccrgoldenjubilee2017.org/). Retrieved 2016-04-20.
13. "Hispanics and the Future of the Catholic Church in the United States" (https://web.archive.org/web/2015062307
2810/http://www.catholicsocialscientists.org/CSSR/Current/2008/Sobrino%20-%20Church%20%26%20P.A..pdf)
(PDF). Archived from the original (http://www.catholicsocialscientists.org/CSSR/Current/2008/Sobrino%20-%20C
hurch%20&%20P.A..pdf) (PDF) on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
14. "Fraternity of Covenant Communities: November 30, 1990" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080810153406/http://
www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/journal3/commadeu.html). Archived from the original (http://www.pastornet.net.au/
renewal/journal3/commadeu.html) on 2008-08-10. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
15. "Address of Pope John Paul II to the ICCRO Council: March 12, 1992" (https://web.archive.org/web/2007092813
1946/http://ccc.garg.com/ccc/articles/John_Paul/John_Paul_001.html). Archived from the original (http://ccc.garg.
com/ccc/articles/John_Paul/John_Paul_001.html) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
16. Pentecost Address 1998 (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_pc_laity_doc
_27051998_movements-speech-hf_en.html)
17. Chesnut, R. Andrew (2003). "A Preferential Option for the Spirit: The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Latin
America's New Religious Economy". Latin American Politics and Society: 64.
18. "P. Raniero Cantalamessa, ofmcap: Bibliography" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070314180703/http://www.cant
alamessa.org/en/libri.php). Archived from the original (http://www.cantalamessa.org/en/libri.php) on 2007-03-14.
Retrieved 2007-07-14.
19. Charismatics in Context (http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2014/01/30/charismatics-context/). Ignitum Today.
Published: 30 January 2014.
20. "Pick and mix" (https://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21646001-even-religion-america-offers-more-cho
ice-pick-and-mix). The Economist. March 14, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
21. Christian Millenarianism: From the Early Church to Waco (https://books.google.com/books?id=L1kIl2wN61UC&p
g=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=%22the+Army+of+Mary+criticises+any+form+of+approval+by+the+hierarchy+of%22&
source=bl&ots=oQiGdWObN3&sig=ACfU3U3QtWzESmQ_aUbuYZfQAS56vVGaLg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKE
wjWoIKNspLhAhUFo4MKHWIAB-QQ6AEwAHoECAAQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22the%20Army%20of%20Mary%2
0criticises%20any%20form%20of%20approval%20by%20the%20hierarchy%20of%22&f=false) By Stephen
Hunt, page 164
22. "Teresa Barrett, "Beware RENEW," Christian Order, February 2003" (http://www.christianorder.com/features/featu
res_2003/features_feb03.html). Retrieved 2013-03-08.

Further reading
Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (Papal Preacher) (October 2005). Sober Intoxication of the Spirit. Servant
Publications. ISBN 0-86716-713-0.
Stephen B. Clark (January 1994). Charismatic Spirituality. Servant Books. ISBN 1-56955-390-4.
Paul Josef Cardinal Cordes (December 1997). Call to Holiness: Reflections on the Catholic Charismatic
Renewal. Michael Glazier Books. ISBN 0-8146-5887-3.
Wilson Ewin ([199-]). The Spirit of Pentecostal-Charismatic Unity. Nashua, N.H.: Bible Baptist Church. N.B.:
Discussion of the charismatic movement's Catholic and non-Catholic increase in coöperation and at attempts for
unity. Without ISBN
Fr. Donald L. Gelpi, S.J. (1971). Pentecostalism: A Theological Viewpoint. Paulist Press. ASIN B001M1YC7I (htt
ps://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M1YC7I).
David Mangan (Duquesne student at 1967 retreat) (April 2008). God Loves You and There's Nothing You Can Do
About It: Saying Yes to the Holy Spirit. Servant Books. ISBN 978-0-86716-839-6.
Patti Gallagher Mansfield (Duquesne student at 1967 retreat) (1992). As By A New Pentecost: The Dramatic
Beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Proclaim! Publications, Lancashire, UK. ISBN 0-9530272-2-8.
Ralph Martin (December 2006). Hungry for God. Servant Publications. ISBN 0-86716-801-3.
Ralph Martin (2006). The Fulfillment of all Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of
the Saints. Emmaus Road Publishing. ISBN 1-931018-36-7.
Frs. McDonnell & Montague (September 1990). Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from
the First Eight Centuries. Michael Glazier Books. ISBN 0-8146-5009-0.
Fr. George T. Montague, S.M. (Biblical scholar) (February 2008). Holy Spirit Make Your Home in Me: Biblical
Meditations on Receiving the Gift of the Spirit. The Word Among Us Press. ISBN 978-1-59325-128-4.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Benedict XVI (October 2007). New Outpourings of the Spirit. Ignatius Press. ISBN 1-
58617-181-X.
Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR (March 1996). What Does God Want?: A Practical Guide to Making Decisions. Our
Sunday Visitor. ISBN 978-0-87973-584-5. Includes practical applications of Catholic teaching on discernment of
spirits by a prominent charismatic leader in higher education.
Dr. Alan Schreck (1995). Your Life in the Holy Spirit: What Every Catholic Needs to Know and Experience. The
Word Among Us Press. ISBN 978-1-59325-105-5.
Léon Joseph Cardinal Suenens (1977). A New Pentecost?. Fount Publishers. ISBN 0-00-624340-1. This book is
available for free at the John Carroll University website (see external link below).
Cardinal L.J. Suenens, Une Novelle Pentecôte? [s.l.]: Desclée de Brouwer, 1974. Sans ISBN
Fr. Francis A. Sullivan, S.J. (1982). Charisms and Charismatic Renewal: A Biblical and Theological Study. Wipf &
Stock. ISBN 1-59244-941-7.

External links
 Dr. Peter Kreeft discusses the philosophy of the charisms (visions, tongues, healing, etc.), feat. Dave Nevins (htt
p://www.peterkreeft.com/charismatic-gifts_resources.htm)
Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England (http://www.ccr.org.uk)
Address of Pope John Paul II to the ICCRO Council (https://web.archive.org/web/20070928131946/http://ccc.gar
g.com/ccc/articles/John_Paul/John_Paul_001.html)
Writings of Léon Joseph Cardinal Suenens (https://web.archive.org/web/20080308173156/http://www.jcu.edu/sue
nens/pub.htm)
Renewal Ministries, founded by Ralph Martin (http://www.renewalministries.net)
"A Neuroscientific Look at Speaking in Tongues," New York Times, Nov. 7, 2006 (https://www.nytimes.com/2006/
11/07/health/07brain.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)
A 10-Country Survey of the Charisms (http://pewforum.org/surveys/pentecostal/)
LaVergne, Colin "Why Did God Start the Catholic Charismatic Renewal?" March, 2009 (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20101005015942/http://www.resurrectionc.com/html/colin_talks.html)
Seminary Rector Fr. William Baer on the Charismatic Renewal, April, 2008, audio file (http://personal.stthomas.e
du/dmvoss/)
Catholic Charismatic Renewal (https://curlie.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Denominations/Cat
holicism/Movements/Charismatic_Renewal) at Curlie

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