What are charismatic Roman Catholics?
Charismatic Roman Catholics are members of the Roman Catholic Church who believe in the charismatic gifts and practices found in Pentecostalism, while still maintaining their Catholic identity and membership within the Catholic Church. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church that emphasizes having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and exercising spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing.
History of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal emerged in the 1960s, sparked by events such as Vatican II emphasizing a personal relationship with Christ and openness to the Holy Spirit, as well as the influence of Pentecostalism. In 1967, students and professors at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh experienced baptism in the Spirit during a weekend retreat, speaking in tongues and claiming charismatic gifts. This event is considered the beginning of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. The movement quickly spread to campuses and parishes across the United States and then worldwide.
By the 1970s, prayer groups were formed for Catholics interested in the charismatic gifts. In 1978, Pope John Paul II said this movement is a chance for the church to be “renewed and to grow”. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal continues to grow today as an officially recognized movement in the Catholic Church. There are an estimated 120 million charismatic Catholics worldwide.
Key Beliefs and Practices
Here are some of the key beliefs and practices of charismatic Catholics:
– Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Charismatic Catholics believe in seeking a post-conversion experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, with manifestations like speaking in tongues. This empowers them to live their faith more boldly.
– Spiritual gifts: Charismatics believe all the spiritual gifts in the Bible like prophecy, healing, and tongues are still active today. They desire these gifts to build up the church.
– Praise and worship: There is an emphasis on raising hands, singing praise choruses, spontaneous prayer, dance, and feeling free to express emotion during worship.
– Healing prayer: Many charismatics pray over people for physical and inner healing. They believe God still heals miraculously today.
– Community: Charismatic Catholics participate in prayer groups that meet outside of Mass to praise God, share testimonies, pray for each other, and build fellowship.
– Evangelism: There is strong zeal for evangelism and sharing the gospel. Charismatics want others to experience being Spirit-filled.
– Personal relationship with Jesus: Charismatics emphasize knowing Jesus as a close friend and having intimacy with God. Their faith is more “heart” oriented.
Catholic and Charismatic
It’s important to understand that charismatic Catholics are fully Catholic in their theology and allegiance to the Catholic Church. Here are some key ways they differ from Protestants:
– Loyalty to the Pope and Catholic Church. They do not separate from the institutional church.
– Hold to Catholic theology like the Eucharist as the real presence of Christ.
– Honor Mary and the saints. Use statues and other Catholic sacramentals.
– Observe Lent, feast days, etc. Follow the liturgical calendar.
At the same time, their worship style and openness to the gifts of the Holy Spirit give them some common ground with Protestants involved in the Pentecostal/charismatic movement. Yet the Catholic Charismatic Renewal remains committed to renewing the Catholic Church from within. They aim to bring new vitality to both the faith and practices of Catholicism.
Fruit of the Renewal
Here are some of the main fruits seen through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal:
– Revitalized faith. Charismatics talk of being “born again” in a new way. Their relationship with God comes alive.
– Renewed praise and prayer. There is more raising of hands, spontaneous prayer, and emotion expressed.
– Passion for evangelism. Charismatics eagerly share about how God changed their lives.
– Unity in diversity. People from different backgrounds join together in the Spirit. Unity across cultures, ages, etc.
– Healing and deliverance. Broken lives are made whole through the healing work of the Holy Spirit.
– Gifts empower service. The gifts like prophecy are used to build up and serve the body of Christ.
– Vibrant community. Life-giving fellowship happens through small groups and retreats.
– Missionary zeal. Many are inspired to do missions work or minister in their communities.
– Ecumenism. There is more fellowship with Protestants who are also charismatic, finding common ground.
Overall, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has had a substantial, ongoing impact in reviving many Catholics’ faith and love for Jesus while also building up the church. It shows no sign of slowing down, as the Spirit continues to move.
Concerns and Cautions
While the Renewal has borne much fruit, there are also some concerns and cautions to keep in mind:
– Elitism. There can be a tendency to see those who are charismatic as more spiritual than other Catholics. Charismatics need humility.
– Anti-institutionalism. A few use their zeal to criticize the Catholic Church, rather than renew it from within. But most respect church authority.
– Separatism. There is a temptation to form a church within a church through their prayer groups. Yet they should serve the whole church.
– Extremism. In a desire for signs and wonders, some go to excesses like uncontrolled laughter or prophecies that veer into fanaticism. Discernment is needed.
– Division. If not careful, tensions can emerge between charismatics and non-charismatics in the church. Unity in diversity must be protected.
– Anti-intellectualism. Exuberance should not exclude thoughtful study of Scripture and theology. The Spirit and the mind go together.
When these cautions are heeded, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal serves as a blessing to the whole church.
Charismatic Catholics in Church History
While the current Renewal began in the 1960s, there is historical precedent for charismatic expression within Catholicism:
– Many of the church fathers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Augustine reported charismatic gifts in their day. There was belief in prophecy, healing, tongues, and miracles.
– Medieval Catholic mystics like Hildegard of Bingen and Francis of Assisi claimed to have spiritual gifts like visions and prophecy.
– The Pentecostal movement in the early 1900s included some Catholics. Italian-Americans joined what became known as the Catholic Apostolic Church.
– Before Vatican II, figures like Dorothy Day encouraged personal experiences of the Holy Spirit, preparing the way for the Charismatic Renewal.
So while the 1960s Renewal brought greater visibility and size, there have always been currents of charismatic expression through Catholic history, which burst into new life over the last few decades.
Bible Teachings on Spiritual Gifts
Since charismatic Catholics place priority on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, what does Scripture teach on this topic? Here are some key passages:
– 1 Corinthians 12-14 – Gives the most comprehensive teaching about spiritual gifts like prophecy, tongues, healing, miracles. Emphasizes orderly exercise of these gifts to build up the church.
– Romans 12:3-8 – Mentions gifts like prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, mercy. Says to use them and value all the parts of the body.
– Ephesians 4:11-13 – Refers to gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers to equip the saints for ministry until unity and maturity.
– 1 Peter 4:10-11 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s grace.”
So Scripture gives solid support for the operation of diverse spiritual gifts. The key is to exercise them in love to serve others, not to boast or divide.
Conclusion
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal brings refreshing vitality and zeal to Catholic spirituality. Charismatic Catholics believe in letting the Holy Spirit empower all areas of life through experiences like baptism in the Spirit and exercising spiritual gifts. While maintaining Catholic theology and identity, they incorporate Pentecostal-style worship and practices to renew their personal faith and the church. When grounded in God’s Word and bearing the fruit of the Spirit, this movement revives Catholic Christianity with God’s vibrant presence.