Yes, over the years there have been some Catholic charismatic groups

Also in Shkodra, a big city, with about 130.000 inhabitants, where 40% are Catholics. This begun in 1993. Albania has only 10% of Catholics, principally spread in the mountains. 

For actual English information you can mail to Max and Marlies Weidenhiller, m.m.weidenhiller [at] liwest.at

HISTORY

1. What have been the first beginnings of charismatic renewal among Roman Catholics in your country in the past 50 years? [forerunners, names of first persons, dates]

1970/71 Introduction of the CR in Austria via Fr. Herbert Schneider SJ influenced through contacts with US-soldiers in Germany

1972/73 Benedictine Fathers in Upper Austria (Fr.Zacherl OSB, Fr.Haidinger OSB)

Ernst and Johanna Winter at Eichbuechel near Vienna

2. When and where started the first groups who called themselves Catholic Charismatic?

 21.5.1973 First prayer group in Vienna (F.Valentin, E.Brachetka)

1974 Prayer group Vienna-Speising (H. and S. Eisenhardt)

1975 Start of the quickly growing prayer group at the Dominicans in Postgasse/Vienna (Ch. Schönborn, J.Fichtenbauer)

3. What have been the first public meetings/conferences of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in your country? (Year, place, number of participants)

1976 First Conference at Puchberg near Linz, „I am making everything new!“ (Rev.21,5). Final homily by P. Christoph Schönborn OP [the actual Cardinal]

First meeting of priests with Fr. Heribert Mühlen from Paderborn (33 Participants)

1977 First National Conference in Linz. Start of a NSC in Austria

4. How did develop this renewal in the Catholic Church in your country in the past 50 year?

-  1970-1979 a quick and vivid start. The Halleluia-period: joy and enthusiasm prevailing. Acceptance by some bishops and priests

- 1980-1989 growth continues with life-in –the-spirit seminars. Some tension because of more conservative influences in the CCR. Questions of identity and position in the church, about baptism in the Spirit  arising.

Climax of growth according to participants at the national meetings (4000).

- 1990-1999 Crisis connected with the change in the leadership in the NSC from clergy to lay people. Main topic: Leadership formation. Growing number of covenant communities (most ecumenical ones).

- 2000- 2009 A time of change. Start of an Alpha Office run by the CCR. Growing gap of old “members” of the CCR and newcomers via Alpha courses. Start of an Austrian form of a summer conference at Schladming/Styria, a copy of the English “Celebrate” which takes place every second year. CCR becomes a vital part of the so-called Round Table, an ecumenical leaders gathering working for reconciliation between the “old” churches and the Free-Churches.

5. Can you mention good literature (articles, booklets, books, web addresses) on the history of CCR in your country, for further study?

Some material in German available via the Austrian NSC, http://www.erneuerung.at/

Hans-Peter Lang, member of the NCS

Date: 5 th of July 2009

MORE HISTORY OF CCR IN AUSTRIA: Memories of  Maria-Irma Seewann

Bigger part of the answers is in German

Maria-Irma Seewann is Gründerin der Charismatischen Gebetsgruppe in Graz 1974 (bis 1977), Graz/Styria, Diözese Graz-Seckau;  und im Leitungsteam der Gebetsgruppe in Innsbruck Innsbruck/Ti­rol, Diözese Innsbruck, 1977 bis 1987 (danach im Ausland).

1. What have been the first beginnings of charismatic renewal among Roman Catholics in your country in the past 50 years? Forerunners, names of first persons, dates?

- 1970/71 Introduction of the CR in Austria via Pater Herbert Schneider SJ in Innsbruck (not in Vienna!) influenced through contacts with US-soldiers in Germany. - P. Herbert Schnei­der SJ war für den Anfang in Innsbruck (Tirol) zuständig, für Wien Dr. Fri Valentin seit 1972.

- 1972/73 Benedictine father in Upper Austria: Pater Nikolaus Zacherl OSB, Benediktiner­abtei Kremsmünster/Oberöster­reich, Diözese Linz.

- 1972/73 Johanna und Ernst Winter, Schloß Eichbüchel/Nieder­österreich, unweit von Wien. Herr Winter (aus Amerika!) war sehr amerikanisch-freikirchlich geprägt; er hat durch "Exorzismen" viel Störung verursacht und hat gesunde katholische Anfänge überfremdet durch ein Puschen von Sprachengebet etc.

- In der Steiermark/­Styria entstanden durch Maria-Irma Seewann 1974-75 Gebetsgruppen, auch in Klöstern (etwa bei den Karmeli­tinnen in Graz, bei den Benedikti­nerinnen in der Abtei St. Ga­briel bei Feldbach, etc.). - Herr Winter kam von sich aus in diese Klöster und stiftete Verwirrung, sodaß die Oberen diese in der Folge auflösten.

2. When and where started the first groups who called themselves Catholic Charismatic?

- 21.5.1973 First prayer group in Vienna (Dr. Fri Valentin, P. Erich Drögs­ler SJ, Bartus­ka);

- Im Sommer 1973 war Dr. Fri Valentin Delegierte für Wien und P. Herbert Schneider SJ für Innsbruck beim zweiten ökumeni­schen europäischen Leitertreffen in Schloß Craheim/­Deutsch­land.

- 1974 Prayer group in Vienna-Speising (Susi and Hans Eisen­hardt; Johannes Fichtenbauer): diese Gruppe war sehr amerika­nisch und freikirchlich beeinflußt, was zu Spannungen führte;

- Im Herbst 1974 gründete Maria-Irma Seewann eine Gebetsgruppe in Graz/Styria Pfarre St. Leonhard. Teilnehmer waren mehrere Priesterseminaristen. - Maria-Irma Seewann war geprägt vom In­ter­nationalen Treffen im Sommer 1974 in Vézeley/Frankreich und später vom Nationaltreffen in Lourdes/­Frankreich. Dort war auch von Anfang an eine klare theologische Linie da (etwa durch "Ef­fusion de l'Esprit" - Artikel von P. Yves Congar OP). Abbé Henri Caffarel, der die Katholische Charismatische Erneue­rung nach Frankreich gebracht hatte, und darüber auch mehreres Wichtiges geschrieben hat, gab Hilfestellungen unter anderem mit seinem "Maison de Prière" in Troussures, nördlich von Paris.

- 1975 Start of the quickly growing prayer group at the Domini­cans in Postgasse/Vienna. Eine andere Gebetsgruppe war jene im Kardinal-König-Haus der Jesuiten (P. Erich Drögs­ler SJ).

- Um dieselbe Zeit herum waren Gebetsgruppen entstanden: in Innsbruck (über P. Herbert Schnei­der SJ: Dr. Eduard Geißler, Pfarre Herz-Jesu); in Vorarlberg (Frau Hämmerle); in Kremsmün­ster (P. Nikolaus Zacherl OSB mit den dort in der Abtei-Schule studierenden Schülern - auch die sehr besuchten Jugend­vespern gehen auf P. Nikolaus Zacherl zurück - und einigen Bene­diktine­rinnen-Schwestern von Steinerkirchen/Ober­österreich).

3. What have been the first public meetings/conferences of Ca­tholic Charismatic renewal in your country? (Year, place, number of participants)

- 1975 war eine größere Gruppe beim Charismatischen Treffen mit Papst Paul VI. in Rom.

- 1976 waren beim Leitertreffen in Frankfurt/Main (P. Norbert Baumert SJ): Dr. Fri Valentin, P. Erich Drögsler SJ und Maria-Irma Seewann.

- 1976/77 bemühte sich der Dogmatiker aus Paderborn, Prof. Dr. Heribert Mühlen, "Charis­matische Gemeindeerneuerung" zu propa­gieren; das führte großenteils zur Ablehnung, wurde aber von einigen aufgegriffen (weiterhin große Spannungen).

- Noch schwieriger waren die Vorträge und breiten "Exorzismus-Angebote" von Pfarrer Hugo Nikel im Namen der CE, was bei vielen Priestern und Laien eine Ablehnung der CE zur Folge hatte.

- Leitertreffen gab es regelmäßig, etwa in Kremsmünster (P. Nikolaus Zacherl OSB).

- Jahrestreffen auf nationaler Ebene in Puchberg bei Linz, in Linz, in Innsbruck, etc.

- Bei einem diözesanem Leitertreffen der Diözese Innsbruck (Diö­zesansprecher: P. Erich Drögsler SJ) kam es zu großen Spannungen wegen einer aus Südtirol kommenden "Mag­dalena", die sich selbst als "sühnebesessen" bezeich­nete und viel Verwirrung, auch unter Priestern stiftete.

Maria-Irma Seewann

Wien, 24.9.2009

Yes, a number of Catholics in Belarus have some experiences with charismatic renewal

THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL IN

BELGIUM (FRENCH SPEAKING)

The Renewal arrived in Belgium at the beginning of the seventies under the influence of Cardinal Suenens and Father Philippe Verhaegen.osb.

June 2001, there are in Belgium, about 200 french speaking prayer groups and 8 communities ( Béatitudes, Jerusalem, Verbe de Vie, Emmanuel, Maranatha, Chemin Neuf, Pain de Vie, Fondations pour un monde Nouveau).

The Renewal organises every year a session of 5 days in Beauraing which brings together thousands of Christians for times of prayer, listening to the Word of God and brotherhood.

Retreats and times of recollection are regularly organised during the year all over Belgium. The Life in the Spirit seminar of the 7 weeks is organised in different places as an introduction to the life in the Holy Spirit most of the time in collaboration with the local church.

For contacts: http://www.renouveau.be/contacts/en-belgique (Few of them speak some English)

Centre du Renouveau

Rue de la Linière, 14/51

1060      Bruxelles

Tel:32-2-539.39.24

Fax:32-2-534.63.30

Centre@renouveau.be

www.renouveau.be (a lot more information can be found on our website)

CCR in Belgium, Flemish (Dutch-speaking) part

Service-centre CCR-Vlaanderen

Kortrijkstraat 17,

B-8700 Tielt

kcv.vlaanderen@telenet.be

In Belgium: Tel. 051-699250

International: Tel: 00 31 51- 699 250

Dutch website: http://www.kcv-online.be/

Chairperson: Marc Meirsman

OVERVIEW C.C.R. 2003 (Euccril 92)

The charismatic renewal started in 1972/1973. The late cardinal L.J. Suenens was one of the instruments the Holy Spirit used to introduce and to promote the renewal in Belgium. At the moment there are a 100 prayer groups, though many rather small. Most likely, we reach about 3000 Christians. (2007: 80 groups and about 1600 'members')

During the recent years we tried to deepen the commitment of the participants of the prayer groups and the vision about charismatic renewal in our teachings. Each year we receive a word of scripture, that becomes the theme around which we work that year.

One point of strength is the formation that is given, often at the diocesan level but also at larger meetings, especially on the Monday of Pentecost. These teachings help us to grow in depth and this is a reason to be grateful.

Very promising are the many retreats that are organised and many members take part at least once a year in one of these retreats. Important is the contribution of the "Gebedsschool" (school of prayer) in this area.

One of the promising fruits of the renewal is the yearly gathering during the summer, to celebrate our faith. With in depth teachings, moments of sharing and beautiful liturgical celebrations.

The National Service Committee that convenes 6 times a year is composed by delegates of the different dioceses and has the task to oversee the different activities and especially to guarantee the right vision about the charismatic renewal. There are also links with the diocesan service committees.

There are also in different places healing services and prayers of intercession.

REPORT ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF CCR IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

From Euccril 258, April 24th, 2013

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been active for 13 years. There are about 20 charismatic communities/prayer groups in all of three dioceses. The communities have between 15 to 20 members, and the largest one is a prayer group in Mostar which has around 500 members. The community members are active in the pastoral work of their parishes: cleaning, reading the readings at Holy Mass, singing in the choir, worship, and other needed activities. They also work on the New Evangelization and are involved in  charity work...

With their collections within communities a help is distributed to those in need by buying food or medicine.  During Christmas and Easter holidays the aid is collected intensively than other days, and with that money boxes of help are made for the poor. Praying meetings, in all communities, take place once a week. There are many people who ask the members of communities to pray for them so they intercede for many petitions, afterwards, by their testimonies the Lord shows us His work.

The members of communities go to church on Sundays regularly, many attend Holy Mass on daily bases.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Reference to the retreats and prayers for the Baptism in the Holly Spirit there are a few priests who work on that field: three of them are active in the south (Herzegovina), two in the central part and  the capital city and one priest is active up north of the country.

ñ  In Herzegovina, particularly in Mostar, there is a prayer group that has existed for 14 years now. They have a prayer meeting once in a week in with around 320 members present, once a month is an open prayer meeting which many people attend to. The weekly meetings consist of worship, prayer, commitment and teaching, as well as intercessory prayer for those who asked us to pray for them.  At the moment the prayer group is in the process of forming a Community with a help of the “European Network Communities” (ENC).

ñ  In Herzegovina, not far from Mostar, there are also two more prayer groups which work and are active within their parishes. One of them has 150 members. The web site for one of them is: http://www.zajednica-emanuel.com/. Nearby, there is one more priest who has opened prayer meetings.

ñ  Up north of the country, there are three prayer groups. Every Sunday they have seminars of Baptism in the Holly Spirit, where, monthly, thousands of people participate. Web site is: http://www.zupa-surkovac.com/ 

In Sarajevo, a capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, two priests are active. There are assigned for pastoral work with students and youth. They work with them in the area of Sarajevo and Central Bosnia and are organizing public discussions and seminars for youth. The youth is involved in pastoral activities. They have renewal seminars by the invitations of pastors in parishes.

ñ  In the area of Central Bosnia there is one prayer group and one Association. The prayer group has about 50 members. The group is active in ecumenism, and every Monday participates in inter-religious prayer. They work in different fields: radio programs, sometimes TV shows on the local station, apart of that, all members are involved on publishing different books and booklets for the Renewal in the Spirit, literature is being distributed in hospitals, homes and prisons, and apart of Catholics the literature is read also by Orthodox and Muslims. The web site is: www.bozjaljubav.jimdo.com. While Association has a home for accepting people in need, for consultation and for help to the families and people that have addiction problems, especially with heavy drugs.

ñ  In the west part of Bosnia and Herzegovina there are two charismatic communities, consisting mainly of married couples. All members are involved in pastoral work of parish as well in charity work altogether with parish pastors.  Web site is: http://rug.webnode.com/rastimo-u-gospodinu/

There are more priests who work in the Renewal, but not so publicly, and the most numbered communities that grow are the ones that have a priest who is open to such work.  The Lord has been doing a lot in our country so far, and at the moment there are some signs that communities would like to connect. I hope that sometimes in the near future there will be organized leadership meeting of Charismatic communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and they will start working on better collaboration and connection between communities in our country..

Blazenka Vidovic

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

A number of communities, persons and groups are involved in Catholic charismatic activities.

In Euccril 78 (2002) is written about a charismatic meeting with 3000 to 4000 participants every two months! They have a beautiful full-colour magazines.

One of the beginnings of the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in Croatia go back as far as the eighties of the 20th century, when Prof. Tomislav Ivancic started his seminars for spiritual renewal. Since then, a number of the worldwide known charismatics have visited Croatia. Also, a number of Croatian priests have turned towards this type of spirituality - such as Zvjezdan Linic, Drazen Radigovic, Ivan Miskic, Smiljan Kozul as well as many others. Many laymen also have become involved in it forming the prayer groups.