The Vatican has announced its plans to establish an unified international service for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
It is called CHARIS and will be launched on December 8. According to the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, Charismatic Renewal has many different communities, initiatives for evangelization, and prayer groups, including many realities recognized in different dioceses or internationally. This organization will be in their service, and help accommodate all their needs.
MSGR. MIGUEL DELGADO
Delegate of the prefect of the Dicastery
“It is a new single service so that a synergy can be produced between all these different expressions. It is meant to be a place of service, a place of meeting, a place of fraternity, a place of communion.”
DR. PHILIP MILLIGAN
Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life
“There is no single structure which runs Charismatic Renewal. The whole idea is that it is an experience from the base, which is shared by many different people.” “So the goal is for this organization to be at the service of this dynamism.”
This is something Pope Francis has frequently requested. According to the dicastery, the pope sees Charismatic Renewal as an important force for reviving the Church today.
DR. PHILIP MILLIGAN
Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life
“He has talked about the impact it can have in terms of ecumenism. The ecumenism of charity between people who have experienced the living Christ through the renewal of their baptismal graces of the Holy Spirit. It is important for working with the marginalized and the poor.”
Pope Francis' attention toward the Charismatics goes back even before being elected pope. As Msgr. Delgado notes, the pope worked with them in the past as cardinal and archbishop of Buenos Aires.
MSGR. MIGUEL DELGADO
Delegate of the prefect of the Dicastery
“The last assignment he received from the Argentine Episcopal Conference was that of ecclesiastical assistant to Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Argentina. Therefore, he is a person who knows the Charismatic Renewal very well.”
The Charismatic Renewal emerged after a student spiritual retreat in the United States in 1967. It seeks to relive the experience of the Apostles when the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost.
