ccr europe 2005-10-28
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What do we mean by Catholic Charismatic Renewal?
The answer is rather clear is this two texts:
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The preambule of the ICCRS-statutes
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What is the
nature of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal? Charles Whitehead
The preambule of the ICCRS-statutes
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a grace of
renewal in the Holy Spirit with a worldwide character and many expressions
in the Catholic Church, but it is neither uniform nor unified. It does not
have a single founder nor a group of founders, and has no membership
lists. Rather it is a flow of grace that allows individuals and groups to
express themselves in different ways and forms of organisation and
activities, often quite independent of one another, in different stages
and modes of development, with differing emphases. Nevertheless, they
share the same fundamental experience and espouse the same general goals.
This pattern of loose-knit relationships is found at the diocesan and
national levels as well as at the international level. These relationships
are very often characterised by free association, dialogue and
collaboration rather than by integration into an ordered structure.
Leadership is characterised more by offering service to those who want it
rather that by governance. In several realities the CCR organises itself
like an Ecclesial Movement, but there are also structures such as
Communities, Networks, Schools of Evangelisation, Television Stations,
Associations, Religious Institutes and Seminaries, as well as Publishing
Houses, Musicians, Missionaries, and Preachers. All of these, though not
formally associated in a specific structure have a “charismatic” profile.
The central goals of CCR, or Catholic Pentecostal Renewal as it is also
called, include:
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To foster mature and continuous personal conversion
to Jesus Christ, our
Lord and Saviour.
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To foster a decisive personal receptivity to the
person, presence and the
power of the Holy Spirit.
These two spiritual graces are often experienced
together in what is called in
different parts of the world a baptism in the Holy Spirit, or a release of
the Holy
Spirit, or a renewal of the Holy Spirit. They are most often understood as
a
personal acceptance of the graces of Christian initiation and as an
empowering
for personal Christian service in the Church and in the world.
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To foster the reception and use of the spiritual
gifts (charismata) not only in
the CCR but also in the broader Church. These gifts, ordinary and
extraordinary
are abundantly found among laity, religious and clergy. Their proper
understanding and use in harmony with other elements of the Church life
is a
source of strength for Christians on their journey towards holiness and
in the
carrying out of their mission.
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To foster the work of evangelization in the power of the Holy Spirit,
including
the evangelization of the unchurched, the re-evangelization of nominal
Christians, the evangelization of culture and social structures. CCR
especially promotes sharing in the Church's mission by proclaiming the
Gospel in word and
deed, and by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through personal testimony
and
through those works of faith and justice to which each one is called.
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To foster the ongoing growth in holiness through the proper integration
of
these charismatic emphases with the full life of the Church. This is
accomplished through participation in a rich sacramental and liturgical
life, and
appreciation of the tradition of Catholic prayer and spirituality, and
ongoing
formation in Catholic doctrine. This is guided by the Church's
Magisterium, and
participation in the pastoral plan of the Church.
The complete statutes are at
iccrs.org/index.php/about/statutes
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