Does any body knows what is Neocatechumenate Way ? Are there any souls over here who are in this WAY ? This moment is spreading tremendously through the world and also has the direct contact with the Pope.
-- Xavier David (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 11, 2002
Answers
I invited the Neocatechumenate Way to present thier Way to my
Parishioners. They started with close to 40 the first night and
finished with 5. Their message is more directed towards lapsed and
luke warm Catholics and was perceived by my Parishioners as too harsh
and at times heretical. Like many groups in todays Church they are
envouraged by the Holy Father, I doubt they have direct contact since
their message can lead to division within a Parish.
-- Father Chris LaBarge (marydelfr@starband.net), May 11, 2002.
I'm a member of the NC Way, with all due respect; The way has opened
the doors for our youth, it has no barriers with participation among
elders and young. The Way has helped give me end many others in my
parish be strong and united. Also, If it wasn't for the NC Way, I
wouldn't understand how the Catholic Church gives us life and I often
find myself curious as to why the church has rules regarding
sexuality, phenomina, and mystery. I know that when our catechists
come to our town, they help and encourage the communities to live
their lives the way the church has tought us through out time. The
bottom line is that; I learned to love and appreciate my church with
a deep and unexplainable passion and with all that is going on in the
world and especially here in the U.S, I have become stronger in
faith and a strong advocate of the NC Way for everyone especially
our youth.
-- Fernando Perez (fefo14@yahoo.com), May 11, 2002.
This is from the..... WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Vatican
June 2001:
Lay movement needs formal statutes
Discernment process for Neocatechumenate Way
Pope John Paul II has cautioned the Neocatechumenate Way about the
importance of “submission” to the authority of the Church.
The papal message came in a letter addressed to Cardinal James
Francis Stafford, the president of the Pontifical Council for the
Laity, and made public by the Vatican on April 17. Cardinal Stafford
has been charged with the responsibility for supervising the
preparation of new statutes to govern the lay movement, so that it
can receive full canonical approval.
The preparation of those governing statutes had been a “delicate”
process, the Pontiff disclosed, but the process is now entering
a “conclusive phase.” The Neocatechumenate Way, founded in 1967 by
the Spanish layman Kiko Arguello, is now active in 100 countries
around the world. The Pope indicated that the group should now be
ready for an official recognition which would come not through
an “easy process” but through a “profound discernment” on the part of
the ecclesial community.
The reason for this process, the Pope explained, is to submit the
movement to “judgment regarding the authenticity of charisms.” Such
judgment is the duty of the Catholic hierarchy, he added, and no lay
movement, regardless of its success or its founding charism, can
dispense itself from the obligation to “submit to the pastors of the
Church.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------
It appears to me that this movement has not been fully accepted by
the Vatican at the time. So to promote this is at the time would
require caution bey all of those in the Church until full approval
has been granted by the Holy Father and his Bishops.
I believe this is true that the NC groups are not truly approved to
this day as no official acceptance has been made to date (June 2001).
If so I would like to see a final and definite Papal approval signed
by the Holy Father and the Magisterium.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 13, 2002.
Fred,
It was last year where the Pope had set up a group of Bishops to
analyse and scrutinise the WAY. The Pope himself wants that this WAY
be canonically be approved. And it seems that the Neocatechumenate
Way has been canonical approved(though not sure), by the Vatican.
Surely If I get any such documents I will post in this thread. But
one thing I dont understand is that why some people and priest are
against it. The early christian community were same as the
neocatechumenate are. Then why this step mother treatment.
For more information visit
1)http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sbenigni/whatis.htm
2)http://members.aol.com/fatherpius/
God Bless
Xavier
-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 14, 2002.
Fred,
Here is what I have found on one of the websites. For your
information.
What is the Neo-Catechumenal Way? By KIKO ARGÜELLO
It is a path to conversion whereby one re-discovers the riches of
baptism. The current process of secularization has led a great many
people to abandon the faith and the Church. Perhaps that is the
reason the Lord prompted us to set up formation itinerary through
which we can help renew the Council and pave a way for those who have
drifted off.
The Neo-Catechumenal Way does not aim at being a movement in itself
but at helping the dioceses and parishes to open up a path of
initiation that purposes to evangelize the people of today. It's
worth noting that in his Letter Pope John Paul II says: 'I recognize
the Neo-Catechumenal Way as a way of Catholic formation valid for
modern society and times' and expresses his hope 'that brothers in
the episcopate, along with their presbyters, will appreciate and help
this work for the new evangelization'. It's an instrument at the
service of bishops and parish priests to bring back to the faith the
great many who have abandoned it.
What is the link between the Neo-Catechumenal Way and the
catechumenate of the early Church?
In the early Church, in the midst of paganism, a person who wanted to
become a Christian had to follow instruction in Christianity that was
called the 'catechumenate' from the word 'catecheo' which means 'I
resound' and 'I listen'. But we might ask: 'Listen to what?' Not just
God speaking through the Scriptures: a catechumen is somebody who has
learned to listen to God speaking throughout history. Among the
eastern religions which claim to overcome the passions by taking
flight into transcendence through techniques of prayer (as does Zen
philosophy, the Tao and Buddhism itself), and the divide between the
sacred and the profane in natural religion in the West, which entails
a divorce between religion and life, the great revolution of
Christianity is the Incarnation, God who becomes man in the concrete
history of mankind. The Fathers say that what befits a Christian is
not humility, obedience or even sanctity but discernment, without
which neither humility nor obedience nor sanctity exists. Discerning
what? The divine action in our history. Discerning the snares of the
devil and the reason why certain things happen to us and what sense
they have ... There lies the meaning, the renewal of the post-
baptismal Neocatechumenate. Christ says to the Samaritan
woman: 'Believe me, woman, the moment has come when neither on this
mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father ... The moment
has come, and it is this, in which the true worshipers will worship
the Father in Spirit and ,truth. Because the Father seeks such
worshipers.' In a Christian initiation the catechumen discovers that
we are the true temple and our life is a liturgy of holiness, the
ritual of which is the Book of Psalms. But before everything the
catechumenate of the early Church was shaped out of a synthesis
between Word, Changed Life and Liturgy. What the early Church had was
a kerygma, a proclamation of salvation. This proclaiming of the
Gospels was done by itinerant apostles such as Paul and Silla and
brought about a moral change in those who heard it. They changed
their lives with the help of the Holy Spirit accompanying the
apostles. This changed life was sealed and helped through the
sacraments. Concretely, baptism was given in stages. The Neo-
Catechumenal Way wants to bring back that 'gestation', that synthesis
of Kerygma, Changed life and Liturgy.
Why is it called "Neocatechumenate"?
ARGÜELLO: Basically because it is offered to people who are already
baptized but who haven't had enough Christian instruction. Even the
Catechesi tradendae states that the situation of very many Christians
in parishes is that of 'quasi catechumens'. When we were called in
1974 by the Congregation for Divine Worship to look again at the
rites for the first baptismal vows, there were scholars there who
were drafting the Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum under the
charge of Monsignor Bugnini, the Congregation Secretary. Even though
there were some who wanted to call us 'catechistic communities', in
the end we agreed on the name 'neo-catechumenate'.
In what state of health is the Neo-Catechumenal Way?
ARGÜELLO: The Neo-Catechumenal Way has spread to 105 countries over
the five continents, with almost 15,000 communities. It is also
represented in 800 dioceses and 5,000 parishes. It has helped to open
35 diocesan missionary seminaries throughout the world. There are
families with children who leave everything friends, home, work - to
set off for the more difficult areas of the world. At the moment
there are over 400. It is very heartening for us to see the number of
young people who want to rediscover and ripen their faith through the
Neo-Catechumenal Way. We are thankful to the Lord of all things,
though there's no lack of persecution and the necessary difficulties.
Kiko Arguello is the founder of the Neocatechumenate Way.
Peace & God Bless
Xavier
-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 14, 2002.
Xavier
It is simple to understand. I have been greatly concerned over the
fact that the Church has been overwhelmed with the many programs it
has seen created by others who are not at the upper echelons of the
Church closer to the Pope.
I have made much study yesterday on the history of the church and
Thomas Merton and found out much to my surprise of things that
greatly disturb me. I am not finished with it yet.
Did you know that they say the Pax Christi program is a New Age
program to lure Catholics unwittinly to the New Age theologies? Yes
from what I understand There is a group who have used writings of
Merton's and several others and the Dalai Llama's and their joint
writings and many others and are currently through the Pax Christi
and other venues to convert us and other Christians to their ideals
of a world wide religion thereby putting us Christians in the rear
burner.
At this time I am only started on this study as it is difficult due
to the interference that is created by the groups such as the SSPX
and others.
On the SSPX they have been broadcasting the story that the Catholic
Church we know is influenced by other forces such as the Masonic
Lodge and othe Pagans. This fact disturbs me greatly as I am fully
aware of the Canon Law forbidding Catholics to be members of the
Masons was Changed after Vatican II to a more generic form. The
reasons are not clearly given.
It is these things that concern me greatly after seeing some of the
things that I have seen happen within the Church in our local
parishes and dioceses. I see very little done to guide people as to
what is good to read and to see today. I have seen priests and nuns
who clearly diobey the respect of the Lay people by dressing in
manners that reveal totally their position of religious. I have
watched priests and other teach things that are clearly protestant in
nature. I have seen a priest teach people in a RCIA class that it is
alright to be "pick and chose" in our faith. You don't have to
believe the rosary or this or that.
I came to this forum to find the truth and I see sometimes even that
gets warped at times and it hurts my soul greatly when people show
these kinds of behaviors. Now this New Age thing has me very worried
and I will say too that it is a great concern for my wife who just
became Catholic too. She escaped many of the protests who were
heavily involved in heresies and total untruths of the truths taught
by Christ. She has found them in our Church because of me and I hope
and pray the Church will not let me down by allowing these heresies
to take over.
Do you remember the thread Jean B made about the "New Genesis"
recently? Well I found out yesterday that it is a Heretic Ideal of
the New Age groups which is infiltrating our Holy Church. It is based
on some of Thomas Merton's writings and several of his supporters. I
will hopefully in the near future provide this all for you when I am
able to fully compile it in a clear and concise package.
Blessings.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 14, 2002.
Fred,
The neocatechumenate way was not some thing newly invented. It is
what is known as an adult baptism. Even in the early church we had
these so called catechumens. You may refer to any books on the
Fathers of the Church. They all some where or the other definitely
advocate the catechumens.
Lately 20 young boys were ordained as priest by the Pope, Out of
these 15 priest 6 came from the redemptorist mater seminary. A
seminary altogether under the Neocatechumenate Way.
Refer the thread http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-
msg.tcl?msg_id=008qF4
The WAY has also contirbuted a large chunk of priest to the church
rather than any other movement. Some thing very positive.
God Bless,
Xavier
-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 15, 2002.
Xavier
Again you totally missed the point. the Neocatechumanate has not yet
been blessed by the Holy Father.
Also the Neo used in front of the Catechumenate sounds rather awkward
and smacks of fundalmentalistic flavor of a sort like Neo Nazi and
the like.
I would not be so eager to toot my horn yet until I see the real
evidence and what they are teaching the candidates.
Being more ridgid does not mean better. Look at what happened to the
Germans in WW II. They thought they had a better system. It destroyed
them instead.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
Fred,
There rose a great criticism when the Jesuit Order was established,
in the early days. See now they are much a respectable name and can
be relied.
God Bless
-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 15, 2002.
Again
I said DON"T "toot" your horn so loud. The Vatican has yet to make a
ruling. The NEO thing smacks of fundalmentalism to me and I
personally hate that philosophy. It destroys the truths of the real
Christ.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
If the Church hasn't ruled yet, how come YOU feel you can
judge?Did the Church already tell us ''It destroys the truths of
the real Christ''----? Really Fred; let the words sink in before
you fly into a post swinging at everything!
-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 15, 2002.
Gene
Simple the Church has not said that the program has really shown it's
full worth. Besides that the "NEO" label troubles me greatly. What is
wrong with that? I want assurances that this is not an attempt to
blindside us with some "New Age Ideology" that we actually will not
see clearly. If it happens to be a theology that is unacceptable and
it gets a foot hold we could lose the true identity of Christ.
Blessings.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
But that's your own impression, Fred. When you say to another,
''Don't toot your horn,'' it means the person has no right to give
you his impression. Why do you have the right, and not him? He
isn't guilty of anything. Particularly of destroying the truth of
Christ. Neo has nothing of a bad character attached. You have
jumped to the conclusion. Again, your own private impression.
Hardly enough to brand it false. You should take it easy!
-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), May 15, 2002.
"See now they [the Jesuits] are much a respectable name and can be
relied."
Heheheheheh. :)
-- Jeffrey Zimmerman (jeffreyz@seminarianthoughts.com), May 15, 2002.
Gene
The "NEO" part is what is disturbing and that is why I am concerned.
To "toot" is to say that they are bragging too much and have not
allowed the Church to make a final ruling. That is all I was trying
to say. I agree that the present RCIA programthat I witnessed this
past year left me totally frustrated in that they were totally messed
up in the theologies they were teaching in the class I saw and I saw
much said that clearly did harm to the truth of the Church that you
and I know. Even my wife who was learning was dismayed at some of the
things that were said and she saw it clearly too. She has done well
by doing a study course which is provided by the Miraculous Medal
Shrine in St Louis and supported by the K of C. I am proud of the
grades she has obtained to date and she is still studying the books
to this day which are on the entire CCC. Her grades are in the high
90's and she retains well too. I sure wished the RCIA class she took
did more to concentrate on this instead of the sometimes endless
streams of rubbish I heard.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
Jeffrey,
I also though the line about the Jesuits being "respected" was pretty
funny. As much as I love the Jesuits, I don't think that this
statement could be farther from reality.
Enjoy,
Mateo
-- (MattElFeo@netscape.net), May 15, 2002.
Gene
I have a bible the Neocatechumenates use here on my desk. It is
called "THE WAY" The Living Bible" Catholic Edition. Printed by OSV.
It is printed in simple English in an everyday manner and resembles
not at all like the Bibles we are accustomed to. It is much like a
novel rather than a Bible.
If this is the way they are teaching our youth today then I will
wonder what is happening to our Church and her scriptures when they
are allowed to reformat the bible in such unscriptural manners.
I will await your review of this stuff later and see what you think
or any of the others on this forum such as John or the other regulars
before I concede on this matter.
Blessings.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
Well, lets not let anythng get out of proportion here, and please
don't take anything personal. I agree that we do have to leave the
last word to the Pope and his Bishops and that we need to obey our
parish priests and our church before marching on. Another suggestion,
please keep an open mind instead of jumping to conclusions.
Peace be with you all,
-- Fernando Perez (fefo14@yahoo.com), May 15, 2002.
I found these comments on The Way-Please not the comments are
somewhat strong on this method as being negative towards the rest of
the community. Do we really need this?
_____________________________________________________________________
Teksty Magisterium
powrót
Copyright (c) 2000 Fundacja Antyk. Wszelkie prawa zastrze¿one.
The psychological mechanisms
of mental conditioning inside
the neocatechumenate community
I'd like to wrap up these reflections on the Way by summing up the
following:
1. Kiko and his catechists have reigning authority. Something one of
the catechists once said is telling, "Even priests should become part
of the way and convert!"
2. People who follow the Way consider themselves to be
predeterminately chosen to become the salt and light of the Church
and for the world.
3. Members of the Way are promised salvation by accepting the Way as
a style of life that's unique and dearly for a privileged few.
Something often said by the catechists is, "If you take on this way,
you will have the spirit of Jesus Christ. We feel that it's been true
for us in our lives."
4. The community exerts a huge amount of pressure on its members. The
members are subject to iron-handed discipline in the Way , as the
catechists say, "it will bring you to the point of having to make a
radical choice in your life."
5. It creates an attitude of segregation against those who do not
take part in the Way. People who are excluded even include Christians
who are part of the Church, people who are active in other catholic
movements, and even the despised Catholics who go to Sunday Mass.
Personally, I have seen many people who are richer in mercy than most
Neocatechumenate!
6. Followers of Kiko focus on missionary activities even if they have
large families.
7. After the second scrutiny, members must turn over ten percent of
their monthly earnings, but on top of that there are even other
collections for other purposes to contribute to! No year-end budget
is ever produced from all the fund-raising. The catechists justify
this with the evangelical teaching, "don't let the right hand know
what the left hand is doing." So then, I have to ask myself, why is
that the Church justifiably has every parish and ecclesial body have
a finance council? Contributions, income and expenses are made clear
across the board.
8. Often without even realizing it, the Neocatechumenate take on a
language, a particular jargon that makes them standout and
distinguishes them from others.
9. Generally, the Neocatechumenate react quite violently when someone
criticizes the Way. They try to avoid the subject, or as is
especially the case with the catechists, they resort to dialectics
(the sign of the better sophist). Once I was really struck by how a
person from the Way reacted to a man who said he didn't believe in
it. At first the follower of the Way calmly gave his own personal
life's testimony; even though he was vulgar in his criticism of the
pope and bishops, he didn't get angry until the moment the man
criticized the Way. Hardly loving one's enemy in the dimension of the
cross!
10. The Neocatechumenate often feel persecuted and they demonize (as
I wrote earlier) those who don't belong even if those people should
still be considered their brothers in Christ. Sects typically
demonize those who don't think like they do because they need to
create an external enemy (a scapegoat) upon which they can target all
their individual fears and anxieties.
To grow in the faith is to grow in love not to busy oneself for years
with a lot activities, preparations, celebrations, passing through
different stages or anything else. Many Neocatechumenate have the
illusion that it carrying out deeds", "doing things", and "being
active" for many years converts you. People should be told, however,
about a document that was published by the Holy See in 1986 by the
Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. It was titled, The
Phenomena of Sects or New Religious Movements: A Pastoral Challenge."
On page three, talking about the intolerance present in sects, "a
similar spirit can be encountered in congregations of people who
belong to churches or ecclesiastical communities."
Now, a few questions that still have no answers: Why are the texts by
Kiko so rigorously held secret? Why don't the Neocatechumenate make
their income-contributions public? Have they never considered that
the criticisms made against them, both doctrinal and methodological,
just might have been made out of love for the truth and not made by
the persecutive devils that have a grudge against them? Seeing how
familiar they are with the Word, haven't they ever reflected upon
that verse from Hosea that says, "faithful love is what pleases me
not sacrifice. Knowledge of God, not burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6)
For further information, refer to on Internet at:
http://members.xoom.it/alterinfo
To send comments or to request copies of this transcript (in Italian
or on English), write to
E-Mail: alterinfo@mail.xoom.it
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
What the Popes Say
Both Pope Paul VI and the present Pope John Paul II have been very
encouraging towards the Neo-Catechumenal Way.
They see in it a gift of the Holy Spirit and a grace of God to to
renew the parish and to reach out towards those who have left the Church.
Here are some excerpts from the speeches of the Pope Paul VI and Pope
John Paul II.
You can view the entire speech by clicking on the link provided.
Pope John Paul II celebrating Eucharist with neocatechumenal
communities in Porto San Giorgio, Italy.
Pope Paul VI in 1977 : "Saint Augustine says this: If we cannot have
the catechumenate beforehand, we will carry it out afterwards. This is
the secret of your formula, which provides religious assistance, a
practical training in Christian faithfulness, and effectively
integrates the baptized into the community of believers which is the
Church. Many people are attracted to these Neocatechumenal
Communities, because they see that there is a sincerity, a truth in
them, something alive and authentic, Christ living in the world."
(General Audience of January 12, 1977)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/paulvi.htm
Pope John Paul II in 1980 : "The catechumens of the first centuries
were a very important reality in the Church: I believe that what they
did for the faith in those days, the Neocatechumenal Communities are
doing today." (During Pope's visit to the parish of St.Timothy, Rome,
10 February 1980)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#Timoty
Pope John Paul II in 1980 : "My dearest ones, we are living in a
period in which we are experiencing a radical confrontation . .. In
this age of ours, we need to rediscover a radical faith, radically
understood, radically lived, and radically fulfilled. We have need of
such a faith. I hope that your experience is born within such a
perspective, and may lead towards a healthy radicalization of our
Christianity, of our faith, towards an authentic evangelical
radicalism." (During Pope's visit to the Parish of Our Lady of the
Blessed Sacrament and of the Canadian Martyrs in Rome, 2nd November
1980.)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#blesscr
Pope John Paul II in 1983 : "Continue with tireless and ever renewed
generosity your commitment to the apostolate and Christian witness,
particularly in the field of catechetics, in which you have produced
so many good fruits in these years." (To Bishops and presbyters from
the neo-catechumenal communities gathered for the Synod Penance and
Reconciliation, St Peter's Square, 13th February 1983)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#penance
Pope John Paul II in 1983 : "In fact, your movement, and here I
welcome the one who inspired it - I know him well - , your movement is
centered on this process of becoming children of God, of becoming
Christians. It is very important!" (During Pope's visit to the parish
of St Francesca Cabrini in Rome, 4th December, 1983)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#cabrini
Pope John Paul II in 1985 : "By now I know well that there are two
elements which characterize your charism. The first is an enthusiasm
for the faith. An enthusiasm for the faith rediscovered. .... Then,
the second thing which I think is part of your charism is radical
conversion. ... It is with great pleasure that I see you and I think
you are very necessary in today's Church, in today's world. " (During
Pope's visit to the parish of St. Tarcisius, Rome, 3rd March 1985.)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#Tarcisius
Pope John Paul II in 1985 : "The aims proposed by your Neocatechumenal
Communities certainly correspond to one of the most agonizing
questions of the pastor of souls today, especially those in the great
urban agglomerations. You try to reach the mass of adults who are
baptized, but have had little instruction in the faith, in order to
lead them, along a spiritual way, to rediscover the baptismal roots of
their Christian existence and to make them always more aware of their
duties. " (During private audience of Pope with 2000 priests of the
Neocatechumenal Communities gathered for the Extra-Ordinary Synod. 9
December 1985)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#private
Pope John Paul II in 1988 : "This is how I see the origins of the
Neo-catechumenate, of its way. Someone - I don't know if it was Kiko
or someone else - asked himself: "Where did the strength of the early
Church come from, and where does the weakness of today's Church - a
Church with much greater numbers - come from?" I believe he found the
answer in this Way.... It is authentic and is consistent with the very
nature of the parish, because just as each one of us Christians grows
from baptism, so does the Christian community grow naturally from
baptism. ... The parish can grow authentically in the experience and
on the basis of the neocatechumenal experience; it would be like the
renewal of the early community that grew out of the catechumenal
experience." ( During visit of Pope to the Parish of St. Maria Goretti
in Rome. 31st January 1988)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/johnpaul.htm#immaculate
Pope John Paul II in 1990 : "I too, as Bishop of Rome, have been able
to verify the abundant fruits of personal conversion and fruitful
missionary impulse in the many meetings I have had with the
Neo-catechumenal Communities and their Pastors. Hence I acknowledge
the Neo-catechumenal Way as an itinerary of Catholic formation, valid
for our society and for our times. It is therefore my wish that the
Brothers in the Episcopate - together with their presbyters - value
and help this work for the new evangelization so that it may be
implemented according to the lines proposed by its initiators."
(Letter To Bishop Paul Josef Cordes 30th August 1990)
http://our world.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/recognit.htm
Pope John Paul II in 1993 : "The Neo-catechumenal Way ... is able to
respond to the challenge of secularism, the diffusion of sects and the
shortage of vocations. The reflection upon the word of God and the
participation in the Eucharist make possible a gradual initiation into
the sacred mysteries, to form living cells of the Church and renew the
vitality of the parish by means of mature Christians capable of
bearing witness to the truth through a radically lived faith." (To
European Bishops, 12th April 1993)
http://our world.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/wien.htm
Pope John Paul in 1994 : "The Neo-catechumenal Way can be utilized for
building up a parish capable of forming adults who are firmly rooted
in Christ, in his word and in his mysteries ... It will effectively
contribute to imprinting on parishes the typical style of the new
evangelization : a style marked by what is essential and radical,
immersed in the mystery of the dead and risen Christ and courageously
open to the needs of the modern man." (To African Bishops, 17th
January 1994. See L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition, 6-9 February
1994, page 7)
Pope John Paul in 1997 : "Like every anniversary, seen in the light of
faith, yours too becomes an opportunity for praise and thanksgiving
for the abundant gifts that in these years the Lord has granted you
and, through you, to the whole Church. ... The Lord has put a precious
treasure in your hands. How to live it to the full? How to develop it?
How to share it with others? How to defend it from various present and
future dangers? These are some of the questions you have asked
yourselves, as responsibles of the Way or as itinerants of the first
hour." (During Audience of the Pope with the initiators and itinerant
catechists of the Neocatechumenal Way on the occasion of the 30th
anniversary of the birth of this experience, Vatican City - January
24, 1997) http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Sbenigni/30years.htm
|Home | Neocatechumenate | Back | Next |
Father Pius Edwin Sammut
Discalced Carmelite
-- Fernando perez (fefo14@yahoo.com), May 15, 2002.
ENGLAND
NeoCatechumenate banned
Bishop finds group divisive
Bishop Mervyn Alexander of Clifton has issued an administrative
decree bringing to an end the activities of the NeoCatechumenate Way
in his diocese. The movement had been established in the three
parishes there. The three parish priests are all to be moved. Canon
Jerry O'Brien is retiring while Canon Michael English and Father Tony
Trafford will be moved into new pastoral situations in the diocese.
The bishop's action is his response to a report on the movement which
he published in November. The report said that the NeoCatechumenate
Way had not brought new vitality to the three parishes concerned--in
fact that way that they had declined. The Way had not acted in a
spirit of service to the bishop or in communion with him, he said,
and he saw no prospect of its inculturation into the diocese.
The report charged that while the NeoCatechumenate Way had helped
some people back to the fold and renewed the faith of others, the
parish communities as a whole had suffered. The bishop said that he
was guided by the principle that the needs of a few members of the
parish community could not be seen as greater than the needs of the
parish as a whole. A spokesman for the diocese told CWR that the
three priests involved were "naturally upset, but solidly loyal to
their bishop."
While upset with their bishop's decision, the priests and other
members of the NeoCatechumenate could point with some pride to a
statement by Pope John Paul, who met with the leaders of the
international movement just three days before Bishop Alexander banned
the group. The Pope praised the NeoCatechumenate Way as an example of
the initiatives which have flourished in the wake of the Second
Vatican Council. "Both pastors and the laity should accept this gift
with gratitude, but also with a sense of responsibility," he said.
The Pope particularly encouraged the NeoCatechumenate leaders in
their effort to establish formal statutes for their group, which
could provide a canonical model for relations with local bishops.
In England, the three priests could also take some comfort from a
statement by Bishop Victor Guazzelli, a recently retired London
bishop, who affirmed his continuing membership in the
NeoCatechumenate Way. The NeoCatechumenate Way was founded in 1964 by
Kiko Arguello, a Spanish artist, together with Carmen Hernandez. Its
adherents, who now number 14,000, in dozens of countries, seek to
rediscover and live their Christian Baptism to the full.
Despite the setback in Clifton, the founder of the NeoCatechumenate
remained optimistic that his group would eventually gain acceptance
throughout the Church. "From the start of the Way, despite many
enemies, the Holy See always has helped us," Kiko Arguello observed.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
Hi, Fred.
Just a side note here. How come when I find something that the Pope
has said in 1995, , you tell me how old and outdated it is. But You
are putting up articles I see dated way back in 1980.
They are old,GOT THAT? OLD! And futhermore, old! :-)
Take care buddy.
David
-- David (David@excite.com), May 15, 2002.
Jerk
I told you to bug OUT. You are an idiot and an old pain in the butt.
GO TO_______.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
David,
1980? Don't think so... Read it again - I believe you'll find 2000.
Time for new reading glasses?
-- Carolyn (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 15, 2002.
Fred and his angels,
CARDINAL RATZINGER AND THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY
Article which appeared in "Alfa y Omega"
Ratzinger to the Neo-Catechumenate:
"You are a living proof that the New Evangelization is not a theory"
The Cardinal stimulates the missionary work of the followers of Kiko
Argüello
"An intellectual labor is not enough if it is not accompanied and
founded on a way of experience." With this remark, Cardinal
Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Faith, ended his
meeting with the Rectors of the "Redemptoris Mater" Diocesan
Missionary Seminaries. These seminaries have been initiated by the
Neocatechumenal Way, founded by Kiko Argüello.
1,500 seminarians are preparing themselves in the 43 seminaries
dispersed throughout the five continents that the Neo-catechumenate
started. They find themselves on the front line to face the
challenges of the New Evangelization.
Madrid, December 18, 2000
Just three months from the publication of the Declaration "Dominus
Iesus" show clearly how effective and convincing this document is
proving to be in the area of the new evangelization.
The validity of this Declaration in the practical reality of
evangelization was evidenced very clearly during an important meeting
between Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith,
and the Rectors and Formators of the 43 "Redemptoris Mater"
Seminaries spread throughout the five continents. The meeting took
place last Saturday in the Seminary 'Redemptoris Mater' of Rome.
The "Redemptoris Mater" are diocesan seminaries with a missionary
goal for the universal Church. At the heart of their formation to the
priesthood, these seminaries embrace the itinerary of Christian
initiation of the Neo-Catechumenate, which each seminarian follows
with his community.
These Colleges characterized by their internationality, are currently
forming 1,500 seminarians. Already 700 priests coming from these
seminaries have been ordained. At the request of the local Bishops,
nineteen seminaries have been established in Europe, fourteen in
America, six in Asia, two in Africa and one respectively in the
Middle East and Australia.
"I am very grateful for this meeting", began the Cardinal. "Today is
the vigil of the Laetare Sunday and it is a true joy for me to see
realized precisely what I said last Sunday : 'The new evangelization
is not a theory'. Here we look at the new Evangelization embodied in
people who carry forward the message of the Gospel in our times".
The Formators of the "Redemptoris Mater" seminaries, who as Kiko
Argüello and Carmen Hernández, the initiators of the Neocatechumenal
Way remarked, are on the "front line" of the challenges of the New
Evangelization, showed their appreciation to the Prefect of the
Congregation of the Faith for the "Dominus Iesus", which has conveyed
clearly the compactness of our faith in front of the diffused
relativist and subjective mentality.
"The 'Dominus Iesus'," said the Cardinal, "expresses anew with great
clarity the center of our faith, namely, that the Son of God has been
made man. So now there is a bridge between God and man. We do not
have just a few fragments through which one can hardly decipher the
truth. God has revealed himself definitely with his true face."
The Roots of Faith
In the short time period since the promulgation of the document, it
became evident that by reason of their sincerity and depth, the
expressions of appreciation were much more significant, than a few
criticisms – highly inflated by the media - resulting from a
distorted reading of this declaration.
"The expressions of gratitude have been numerous", declared openly
the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Faith. "Not only from
our Catholic turf but also from eminent personalities of the
protestant world. The favorable comments came from all social levels -
very simple people, priests, academic persons. All this goes to show
that veritably a very clear answer was expected on what the Church
believes are the real foundations that constitute our whole Christian
life." The Cardinal recalled that a passage from "Dominus Iesus"
affirms that "the Old Testament harmonizes, together with the New
Testament, the Sacred Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit."
"It is evident to me," he underlined, "that we come from the root of
Israel and that their Bible is our Bible, that the Jewish faith is
not one of the many other religions, but rather the foundation and
the root of our faith."
In this meeting the filtering which the media deploys became very
evident.
The media is swayed by a mentality which believes that everything is
relative.
We can draw two conclusions, the Cardinal remarked. One, the need to
prepare better the ground for a worthier reception of these documents
of the magisterium. Two, the expediency of favoring a direct and
profound knowledge of these same documents by the future priests. The
basic underlying reality however remains a convincing experience of
faith, without which it is not possible to challenge seriously the
relativism and subjectivism diffused in our era.
"I am convinced," said the Cardinal, "that in these seminaries a love
and a knowledge of the documents of the magisterium is favored and
imparted. Even more, intellectual work is not sufficient if it is not
followed by and founded on a way of experience where what has been
said is verified."
Abandon Relativism
"Only in this way it is possible to break open this wall of
relativism that transforms us in beings impenetrable to the word of
God and its truth.
This is the significant reason why both ventures are of utmost
importance. On one hand, the study and reflection of these texts in
order to create a new Christian intellectual culture. On the other
hand, the prerequisite to construct everything on a concrete
itinerary of life.
This is without doubt the enormous contribution that the
Neocatechumenal Way is offering to all Christians: a space where to
experience and walk with Jesus. A possibility to verify the Word in
our life, thus making it possible to crack open the disharmony of a
mentality which believes that everything is contingent and relative."
God Bless
Xavier
-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 17, 2002.
Top
-- ... (.........@........), May 17, 2002.
Well you explain the reason Fr LaBarge has reservations about your
group. His sentiments are not the only ones that I have heard before
about this Neo- Process. From what I read everything he has said is
on the money. The process you paople use is very hypocritical as it
pits the Average Catholic against you people as you tend to develope
hypocritical views and go about condemning others at will.
I think these facts need to be exposed to all to be known of the
harshness and harrassment average Catholics have to endure as a
result. Think about it. Please.
-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), May 17, 2002.
Greetings to all of you !
I would like to inform you of a message a recieve from a journalist of
the NCR based in Rome. Here is what I wrote to him and then follow his
answer :
> Mister Allen,
> I'm a french Canadian. I live in Quebec city.I'm a practicing
Catholic
> since more than 25 years as a result of a conversion. Since you work
in
> Rome and "near" the Vatican, I would like to ask you some questions
and
> your opinion about an important movement which has important support
in
> Rome but is subject to controversy throughout the world. Then NC Way
> (Neocatechumenal Way)
> is about (as we have been informed) to obtain status but we know
that 12
> of their secret catechesis (teachings of Kiko Arguello, their
founder)
> are in the hand of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith.
So
> there is a lot of ambiguty around all this and I would like to ask
you
> if you can obtain some informations about them.
>
> Since many years a lot of pastoral note (the most recent one is from
an
> archbishop in Catane "january 2002") from episcopal conferences,
> cardinals, bishops and testamonies from priests and laymen have been
> spread throughtout the world. But very few things has changed. They
act
> as( and are accused of ) a Parallel church, a church within the
church
> or even their methodology is to some extent similar to a sect. ( see
> that french link to have all these info :
> http://www.psychologueclinicien.com/chemin.htm )
>
> So If you are willing to communicate with me and to have more
> documentation or to give me some information about what is the
"pulse"
> presently in your area, I would be please to hear from you.
>
> Mister Allen, I thank you for your time and I send you my brotherly
> regards.
>
> Denis Dumas
> Québec,
Ø Canada
Denis:
All I know is that I recently asked a very highly placed curial source
about the situation with the statutes for the Neocatechumenate, which
as
you know are currently before the Council for Laity, and this
individual
told me it's not yet clear when, or if, they will be approved.
All best,
JLA
--
John L. Allen Jr.
Vatican Correspondent
The National Catholic Reporter
Via Acciaioli 7
00186 Roma
Italia
Phone: 39.335.710.3330
Fax: 39.06.6865898
U.S. Phone: 816.686.6520
E-mail: jallen@natcath.org
www.natcath.org
denis dumas wrote:
> Mister Allen,
> Thank you very much for the precious information.
> I would like however to ask you another question.
> When you say that you asked "recently" to a highly placed curial
source
> about the situation of the statutes of the NC, would you please be
more
> precise about the word "recently" ?
> There is a lot rumours going around. Can you put a date ?
> Thanks again for the time given, I really appreciate.
> Best regards
> Denis Dumas
Denis:
This exchange was within the last two weeks.
JLA
--
John L. Allen Jr.
Vatican Correspondent
The National Catholic Reporter
Via Acciaioli 7
00186 Roma
Italia
Phone: 39.335.710.3330
Fax: 39.06.6865898
U.S. Phone: 816.686.6520
E-mail: jallen@natcath.org
www.natcath.org
I recieved that response in february or march I guess.
So the status of the way isn't yet approved.
I will conclude with this letter of Monsignor Luigi Bommarito,
Archbishop of Catane (SICILE), to the NC communities of his diocese.
When He wrote it, the Pope had just visited his diocese. So He knew it
and Rome is well aware of the problems there is wiht the movement.
There is fruits in that movement but there is also bad human and
pastoral attitudes rooted in the teachings of Kiko and if the NC still
doesn't have approbation it is because Kiko doesn't want to correct
his teachings.
God Bless you all !
Denis
January 19, 2002
The archbishop of Catania, Luigi BOMMARITO, during the advent for the
Christmas 2001, has published a letter "to his brothers and sisters of
the neocatecumenal Communities" of the Diocese to express among other
things "the perplexities of theological-pastoral kind" shared by many
brothers Bishops, as brought in the second appendix of the letter.
ARCHDIOCESE OF CATANIA
Luigi Bommarito
Archbishop of Catania
To his brothers and sisters
of the neocatecumenal Communities
of the Church that is in Catania
For information
of the priests of the Archdiocese
Dearly Beloved in the Lord Jesus,
During my Episcopal service which occured for about fourteen years in
the holy Church of God in Catania, I have never stopped thanking the
Lord for the wealth, the variety and the pastoral vivacity not only
met in the parish communities and in the religious life but also in
the associations, in the movements and in the various ecclesial
aggregations of which our Catanese Diocese is rich.
In synchrony with the Holy Father John Paul II and with the Italian
episcopate, I consider a great "gift of God", a real "inflow of grace"
the various forms of aggregations of believers, from those more
ancient to those more recent, which in their multiplicity are signs
"of the wealth and of the diversity of the resources with which the
Spirit of the Lord Jesus feeds the ecclesial fabric" (Christifideles
laici, 20), so much that they have been "welcomed with gratitude and
enhanced in a responsible manner", as it underlines the pastoral note
of the CEI : The lay aggregations in the Church (in the introduction).
In truth in this precious context of grace, as shepherd of the whole
flock submitted to me by God, when it has been possible for me, I
have cheerfully been present to encourage, to bless, to stimulate and
receive, but in the mean time - as it was and is my precise duty -
also to correct those aspects that, sometimes, in their expressions
manifested themselves in rather "problematic" way, sometimes by
default sometimes by excess.
It has been and it is also the case of the neocatecumenal communities
that I have followed with respect, affection and - as you know all -
with some perplexities. I have had the opportunity of discussing them
with persons in charge of the "Way" inside and outside our Diocese.
I can confirm that the teologico-pastoral perplexities that I am about
to communicate have met everywhere - beginning with many of my
brothers Bishops - a perfect agreement both on the plan of the ideas
as on that of the concrete experiences lived with a certain suffering
within a lot of Italian and non-Italian local churches.
So many times I have wondered, and at the same time I hear requests
adressed to you, whether it is appropriate to clarify and to give
precise answers to the demands for explanations that until today
have unfortunately remained evasives, with the risk that it can kep
on fomenting even more perplexity and impatiences in the midst of the
people of God. I believe it to be opportune, therefore, to list some
aspects of your "Way" which seem to me in need of necessary, pertinent
and urgent clarifications.
If I have not done it first - nevertheless I have never hidden my
perplexities even if they were united to feelings of admiration - it
is because I was waiting for the approval of the Way from the Holy
Father. Such approval being still delayed, I confide to you the
reasons that let me perplexed, for a long time, that is since when, as
a priest in Monreale, I attended the Way's catechesis.
1) We note that many of neocatecumenal communities usually we
recognized or maybe "granted" to the Priests only a cultural and
functional dimension of the Holy order, mortifying him if not even
depriving him of his connaturalize jurisdictional dimension that - as
we know well - is an integral and constitutive part of the same order.
Often, in fact, it is the catechist who unduely appropriates the
jurisdictional power proper of the ministerial priesthood.
We wonder : what harmony there is with the n. 28 of Lumen Gentium
which precisely says that "in the single local communities the priests
make, so to speak, the Bishop present,... they sanctify and they
govern the portion of the flock that the Lord have entrusted them".
A priest, dear to me, has confided to me that after more than 20 years
he is unclear yet about his role as priest in the team of catechists.
2) Along the catechization procedure of the "way" the situation of
the nothingness of man is rigidly and heavily developed even if he is
baptized and then next the incapability of that same
Christian to open himself - without the support of the neocatecumenal
community - to the redeeming grace of Christ, as if the historical
event of the Resurrection had not resolved and given the benefits of
the alliance of each and every person with God. In other words : as if
the theological virtue of Hope - virtue infused by the Spirit in every
baptized with the Baptism - been impoverished and deposed, didn't have
any voice in church anymore. But isn't the Christian faith equipped
with prayer and by the Sacraments already in herself bearer of light,
of peace, of strength, of joy, of victory on evil? To what
does Christianity reduces itself if it misses the theology of Hope?
3) With many Bishops to my knowledge - of which I enclose
interventions and testimonies that makes to think greatly - I draw
attention to the fact that the neocatecumenal communities still keeps
on celebrating in a secret way and in privacy the Saturday night
Eucharist and the Easter Vigil of the Lord, tremendous event of the
Love of God which by it's nature tend to bind together all the people
of God in one big family, goes provoking confusion, bad moods and
pastoral uneasiness. The people of God is dividing itself in two, as
blocks composed in classes and different categories, one of class A
and the other of class B, as if they were separate and opposed, unable
to recognize all themselves as brothers. Are they really wrong those
who think that the neocatecumenals communities constitute a parallel
church?
Musn't we welcome in a very unique community the poorest and weakest,
the less catechisely ready that often, without wanting it nor knowing
it, believed outside the surrounding wall or did remain "outside"
maybe by our mistake, we who consider ourselves the nearest, the most
practicing and observing?
Someone can think: but the Sacrament doesn't already act
advantageously "ex opere operato?" Why then give as much importance
only to the involvement of the group of the most qualified? Maybe that
the ex opere operantis (heard also as action of community of people
selected) due to the terms of the "way", and only because it differs
from other "ways", succeed in making the Sacrement worthier and more
efficient?
4) We know from S. Paul; that the Spitit confides His charismas to all
the baptized - and therefore also to every ecclesiastic group - for
the common good (cfr. 1 Cor 12, 7), for example for the common good of
the whole people of God present in every parish. The neocatecumenal
community, as a few other ecclesiastic movements also, impose quite
the reverse exactly the contrary way, while behaving in order to
manipulate the common good to guarantee their own charisma, making
absolute their choices and imposing their method as if it was
unbeatable, unique in relation to all others and, for some, absolutely
the only saving.
5) Therefore it often happens to note, that in the parishes where are
present in a solid manner the neocatecumenal communitites, life in
common and collaboration are not always easy with the other ecclesial
realities operating in the place.
With those who came with me, during the pastoral Visit, in a parish,
we made the bitter observation of it.
Must'n we think that a bigger synchronization with the plan and the
pastoral orientations of the Pastor of the diocese could reduce the
presumed conviction that their own method is the most perfect as far
as having the priority on all other, as if it had the imprimatur of
the Spirit?
6) We know from the gospel that the message of Jesus proceeds mildly
on the free side and freeing the "If you... " (if you want...) and one
puts in evidence as far as developing clearly and amicably as regards
to the love the emblematic expression that is the " prodigal son's
parabola " : a father who waits for his lost son, and go to meet him,
embraces him, forgive him for the mistakes committed, he embraces him,
puts the ring on his finger, makes a feast for him, excuse him before
the eldest brother who doesn't think like him!...
Sometimes the neocatechumenal way seems on the contrary to walk on the
uncompromising side of the "you must", on the thread of a "categorical
imperative" of Kantian memory, with the very easy risk to fall in a
sort of integrist's fundamentalism intended, as it happens
unfortunately, to foment divisions and various separations, while
creating small ghettos or dangerous "small churches" inevitably in the
setting of the same church of God born on the contrary to be the
Father's unique big family.
7) I would not like to speak of the scrutinies that, often, strip the
consciences with questions that no confessor would put. But how can it
be allowed to a layman who is purely only a catechist?
I would not like to speak of the public confessions either... But who
can allow a style that the church, in her wisdom and in her maternal
prudence, abolished centuries ago?
8) I read with attention and interest the letter (Rome, 5-4-2001) that
the Holy Father sent lately to the Card. Francis Stafford, President
of the Pontifical Council for the laity: a very meaningful and
extremely important letter. The Sovereign Pontiff asks for a
definitive judgment on the "neocatechumenal Way" while proposing an
attentive and tidy discernment on behalf of this same Pontifical
Council in the light of the théologico-pastoral instructions of the
Magisterium.
Actually, not having had until now - after decades of presence of your
communities in different countries of the world - a true and official
approval of the Statutes in light of the emitted rules by the H. See
and the CEI, the judgments on the goodness of your "Way" are not
always in agreement because of fact they change from diocese to
diocese and parish to parish, on the basis of the behaviors and the
local experiences. A lot of reflection is asked from you before
continuing the way in a sure and definitive manner. Submissiveness to
the judgment of the church is the most believable, valid and decisive
guarantee of presentation.
Dearly beloved, as you see - I already told it to you in the beginning
- the words that I write you call merely for clarity on some
remaining points again in a zone of shade and that we wait therefore
adequate changes of pastoral practice, for the good of our parochial
communities.
I am sure that the love that binds you to the hearing of the Word, to
the Eucharist, to the service of the charity and to the judgment of
the church will succeed in modifying what is modifiable and to correct
what is appropriate and urgent to correct, in the goal to live
serenely, with all the faithful of our parishes, this unity and this
communion that was and that is Jesus' great prayer : "As you, Father,
are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us" (Jn17,21).
Anyway, I can attest that I saw, beyond a shadow of a doubt - in your
communities, as in each of you - the bracing presence of Jesus' Spirit
that carried you and that carries you to accomplish pastoral charities
worthy of admiration, because you achieve with sacrifices of time,
affections, money and the gestures of missionary goodwill even outside
of our Country. Now it is necessary to re-examine the accomplished
steps however and to review and to verify - in light of the conciliar
ecclesiology, of the Catechism of the Catholic church, of the
orientations of the pastoral plan of the Italian episcopate and the
pastoral plan of its own Pastor - how much our parochial communities
wait from the charisma that has been confided to them by the Lord and
that we hope will be recognized as early as possible by the Spirit by
the approval of the Statutes presented to the H. Sea for years.
May the Lord Jesus and the Holy Virgin bless and attend your Way so
that it be illuminated by the Holy scripture meditated by you and so
that you lived in close communion with the bishop, with the priests
and with all ecclesiastic bodies that the Holy Spirit create for the
path of holiness of all the people of God.
With an ample and cordial blessing also for the Advent and for the
Christmas of our Lord Jesus.
Advent 2001 yours + Luigi, arciv.
-- Denis Dumas (d77dumas@hotmail.com), June 03, 2002.
I am 21 years old and an active member of the way since I was 18. I
cannot judge anyone here, not only because I know God created us and
loves us equally –which is stated in The Holy Bible-, but also
because I judged the Way and its catechists without mercy when I was
younger. Now that I have been active I understand what it is all
about. I never really attended the initial catechesis because when I
was born into a community I was only 13 and a complete wreck because
of my parents' divorce, so at the time, church and anything having to
do with God was a touchy matter to me because I could not understand
why He had allowed for my father to do everything he did to my
family. After battling with my rebelliousness and my misery and
seeing what secularity did to my poor brother I looked for an answer.
I went back to my now-beloved parish and confessed -I had not
confessed for years- and I felt God's love. Suddenly I felt a need
for more than just Sunday Mass but I couldn't make it to the weekday
masses because I am so busy with school and work and by God's mercy I
saw someone from my old community. It was good to know everyone still
remembered me, and they made me feel very welcome and very loved.
Since then, I have not missed a single celebration or activity and I
even attended World Youth Day Toronto 2002 (by the way, I don't even
understand where the money came to pay for it, someone anonymously
paid a huge chunk of it). I hope the following statements help people
who are wondering the Way.
· My catechists never impose anything on anyone and they never
tell anyone what to do; contrary to this, they always remind us that
to get an answer it is necessary to pray for it from the One who has
them.
· Another inaccurate statement I found is that the Way uses its
own bible; I have not seen such thing, we actually use The New
Jerusalem Bible, which can be bought in most Catholic bookstores.
· I can also see the great value of the Way for young people.
Before I was actually active in the Way, I didn’t understand the
importance of complete chastity and respect for one’s body as the
temple of the Holy Spirit; now I can say I understand it. I can also
go to school and understand everything from the point of view of my
religion: abortion, for example.
· It is very important to understand that absolutely everything
done in the Way is what the Holy Roman Catholic Church catechizes and
nothing is done without the approval of the church. Before actually
joining the Way again, I researched on the website of the Vatican and
that is the reason why I can say what I say.
· While the Neo-Catechumenal Way may not be for everyone, it
certainly is for me. The only way to figure out if it is for you is
to actually attend the catechesis and find out for yourselves, and if
you see that those particular catechists are doing/saying something
that goes against the church you can and should absolutely go to your
diocese and report it.
· My words are not meant to “convert” or convince anyone of
anything, they are only meant to give you the perspective of someone
that has experienced God’s mercy and, through the Way, has realized
the spiritual wealth of our church and all the truth in it.
Love and Respect to You All,
Virginia A.
-- Virginia A. (gabeyslove@yahoo.com), October 29, 2003.
I started the Way when i was 15 yrs old. I am now 20 and i can truly
say that the Lord has helped me and chosen me in this path to
convert me. I am not worthy of this or any better than anyone else,
but i see that He has had mercy on me and loves me. I never thought
i would actually love going to church and hunger for God to speak to
me. I have stopped doing drugs, throwing up, drinking, no longer
depressed not knowing a reason or escaping my home and my reality,
doing all the wrong things, etc. I still have alot to change, but
God is helping me little by little, giving me strength. This is not
a cult, no one is obligated here to do anything, and no one here is
better than anyone who isn't in the neo-cat. But if you're lost,
suffering, not knowing the reason of your life, in the wrong
direction in life, this will open your eyes to something new within
yourself and your communication with the Lord. This is spreading
throughout the world, i've seen the amount of people and the amount
of youth on World Youth Day pilgrimages i've been to. It's truly
unbelievable. I think anyone who rejects it is living in loo-loo
land and wants to stay there. Either that or they're too afraid of
realizing truths about themselves or afraid of leaving this "world"
full or money and porn, etc, for something that will actually bring
them true life. Don't be afriad of people who make fun of you
because you're going to church and praying,...that only means that
they too are afraid of truth. Next time you hear an announcement
for a catachesis, be curious enough to go and listen. A few min's
out of your week will do nothing to your schedule. This Way has come
to me as Good news, it has come to me to help me mature mentally and
spiritually, it has come to me to help me finally breath, see, and
hear. I hope i can leave this "old man" i have inside in the dead
waters and come out a new person who's full of light for the Lord. I
could go on and on talking about this, but i would go on forever
telling you everything that's happened in my life since i started
the way. I thank the Lord for choosing Kiko to have started this,
and I thank God for the Pope that we have, this leader of the Lord.
God bless you and may God open your heart.
-- Guisenia M. Campos (Writtengigi@aol.com), November 29, 2004.
11/29/2004---> I started the Way when i was 15 yrs old. I am now 20
and i can truly say that the Lord has helped me and chosen me in
this path to convert me. I am not worthy of this or any better than
anyone else, but i see that He has had mercy on me and loves me. I
never thought i would actually love going to church and hunger for
God to speak to me. I have stopped doing drugs, throwing up,
drinking, no longer depressed not knowing a reason or escaping my
home and my reality, doing all the wrong things, etc. I still have
alot to change, but God is helping me little by little, giving me
strength. This is not a cult, no one is obligated here to do
anything, and no one here is better than anyone who isn't in the neo-
cat. But if you're lost, suffering, not knowing the reason of your
life, in the wrong direction in life, this will open your eyes to
something new within yourself and your communication with the Lord.
This is spreading throughout the world, i've seen the amount of
people and the amount of youth on World Youth Day pilgrimages i've
been to. It's truly unbelievable. I think anyone who rejects it is
living in loo-loo land and wants to stay there. Either that or
they're too afraid of realizing truths about themselves or afraid of
leaving this "world" full or money and porn, etc, for something that
will actually bring them true life. Don't be afriad of people who
make fun of you because you're going to church and praying,...that
only means that they too are afraid of truth. Next time you hear an
announcement for a catachesis, be curious enough to go and listen. A
few min's out of your week will do nothing to your schedule. This
Way has come to me as Good news, it has come to me to help me mature
mentally and spiritually, it has come to me to help me finally
breath, see, and hear. I hope i can leave this "old man" i have
inside in the dead waters and come out a new person who's full of
light for the Lord. I could go on and on talking about this, but i
would go on forever telling you everything that's happened in my
life since i started the way. I thank the Lord for choosing Kiko to
have started this, and I thank God for the Pope that we have, this
leader of the Lord. God bless you and may God open your heart.
-- Guisenia M. Campos (Writtengigi@aol.com), November 29, 2004.
There are many great works and movements in the Church today. I was a
witness to this in the great meeting at Pentecost in Rome in 1994
when all the movements met and were blest by the Pope.
That blessing doesn't mean every individual member is perfect just as
the establishment of a diocese means that every pastor and bishop
will be impecable and perfect either! So let's not confuse criteria
of judgment here. If we don't expect diocesan officials' mistakes or
errors or even sin to mean that their dioceses are suddenly heretical
or cease to be "Catholic" neither should be immediately assume a
given movement is heretical or worse just because one or two or three
new members - who don't know the particular spirituality entirely -
are less than perfect.
In the world where diversity is praised I find it highly interesting
that when real diversity of spirituality is concerned (especially
through orthodoxy and orthopraxis) some voices cry for absolute
conformity with the old way (their way) and claim the movements to be
cults or worse.
Yes, all new movements need to mature and their members need self-
control and maturity too - as do all old structures and groups and
orders too! The Jesuits and other religious congregations need some
reform and care with their people as much if not more so than any of
the movements because with their long histories and resources, their
quality and orthodoxy has greater impact on society. But when was the
last time any of you heard a thunder and lightning bolt sermon
warning people to beware of these old groups?
-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), November 29, 2004.
joe,
when was the last time any of you heard a thunder and lightning
bolt sermon warning people to beware of these old groups?
if you read jack chick you would know that the jesuits are the devil
and that they are the true rulers of the one world government that
nobody knows about since the jesuits burned all the evidence years
ago.
-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), November 29, 2004.
Well, nothing is so sinister as 70 professors and faculty at
Georgetown taking out a full page advertisement in the Washington
Post to protest Cardinal Arinze's mere stating of settled Catholic
moral norms - and not only NOT getting censored or punished for it,
but retaining their jobs with not so much as a peep from the local
archdiocese!
Now and again on these threads we read some breathless tale of some
anonymous hack complaining about some new member of a religious group
being less than perfect or tone deaf or whatever - nothing anywhere
as serious as the above... and we're asked to judge the whole group
as awful and worthy of immediate destruction.... but when serious dry
rot as the above takes place... nary a peep and not a single protest.
I was the only voice in the city calling for an official rebuttal and
absent that a lay led protest. No one signed on. It was considered a
lost cause!
-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), November 29, 2004.
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