Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Catholic Church that is part of the wider charismatic movement across historic Christian churches.[1][2]
Formation
The Renewal has been described as a "current of grace".[3] It began in 1967 when Catholics from Duquesne University attended a Protestant worship service and claimed to have been "baptized in the Holy Spirit". It is heavily influenced by American Protestantism, especially Evangelical Pentecostalism, with an emphasis on having a "personal relationship with Jesus", deep emotional experiences, and expressing the "gifts of the Holy Spirit".[4]
Cardinal Leo Jozef Suenens described charismatic renewal as: "not a specific Movement; the Renewal is not a Movement in the common sociological sense; it does not have founders, it is not homogeneous and it includes a great variety of realities; it is a current of grace, a renewing breath of the Spirit for all members of the Church, laity, religious, priests and bishops. It is a challenge for us all. One does not form part of the Renewal, rather, the Renewal becomes a part of us provided that we accept the grace it offers us”[5] According to Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, "He [Jesus Christ] is no longer just a set of theses and dogmas.... no longer just an object of worship and of remembrance but a living reality in the Spirit".[6]
Catholics who practice charismatic worship usually hold prayer meetings outside of Mass that feature 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."[7]
According to theologians Peter Hocken, Tony Richie and Christopher Stephenson, the Catholic charismatic renewal is intrinsically ecumenical and has given rise to covenant communities with members from major Christian denominations who lead a "shared life based on baptism in the Holy Spirit".[8]
Perceptions of the charismatic movement vary within the Catholic Church, although it has been favourably regarded by the last four Popes. Proponents hold the belief that certain charismata (a Greek word for "gifts") are still bestowed by the Holy Spirit today as they were in Early Christianity as described in the Bible. Critics accuse charismatic Catholics of misinterpreting, or in some cases violating, Church teachings on worship and liturgy. Traditional Catholics, in particular, argue that charismatic practices shift the focus of worship away from reverent communion with Christ in the Eucharist and towards individual emotions and non-liturgical experiences as a substitute. Other Catholics say that their involvement with charismatic renewal has revitalised their faith and led them to a deeper devotion to Christ in the Eucharist and a fuller appreciation of the liturgy.
Ecumenical implications[edit]
Given that the charismatic movement has spread across numerous Christian denominations, it carries implications with respect to advancing ecumenism.[23][8] As the charismatic movement spread among Catholics, speakers from other Christian denominations have been invited to lecture at Catholic conferences.[8] Leo Joseph Suenens, a Cardinal in the Catholic Church, led a study of Catholic charismatic renewal; its conclusion stated that "It is evident that the charismatic renewal is a major ecumenical force and is de facto ecumenical in nature."[8] Ecumenical covenant communities arose within the Catholic charismatic movement with members from major Christian denominations (Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, etc.); notable examples include Word of God and People of Praise.[8] Theologians Peter Hocken, Tony Richie and Christopher A. Stephenson have written that these covenant communities demonstrate that "A shared life based on baptism in the Holy Spirit could and should be lived ecumenically."[8][24]
Baptism in the Holy Spirit[edit]
A central concept in charismatic renewal is the experience of the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" (or "baptism with the Holy Spirit" or the "infilling of the Holy Spirit"). This refers to an individual receiving a personal experience of the power of God, as the Apostles did at Pentecost;[25] and as believers did in the early Church when they were baptised and received prayer with laying on of hands,[26][27][28] or simply hearing the good news of salvation.[29] Catholic theologians McDonell and Montague conclude, from their study of the Bible and ancient Christian authors, that "the baptism in the Spirit is integral to Christian initiation." They go on to say that "baptism in the Spirit is not special grace for some but common grace for all."[30]
Traditional Catholics consider that the Sacrament of Baptism is sufficient in itself. However, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the Papal household, explains that "Catholic theology recognizes the concept of a valid but tied sacrament. A sacrament is called tied if the fruit that should accompany it remains bound because of certain blocks that prevent its effectiveness." He goes on to say that sacraments are not magical rituals that act mechanically, without the person's knowledge or response. The individual's personal response and faith is needed in order for the grace and power of the sacraments to flow into their life.[31]
Reaction[edit]
From the Church hierarchy[edit]
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.[32][33][34][35]
Four popes have acknowledged the movement: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.[36] Pope Paul VI acknowledged the movement in 1971 and reaffirmed it in 1975.[4][37] 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.[13] Pope John Paul II was also supportive of the Renewal and was in favor of its conservative politics.[4] He (as well as then-Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope 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.[32]
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."[33]
In March 1992, Pope John Paul II stated