PARADOXICAL

A little history of Catholic charismatic covenanted (and/or transparochial) communities

I caught Philstar journalist Jarius Bondoc on Ch. 13 last week interviewing Fr. Bel San Luis and Couples for Christ leader Anselle Beluso. Yes, that former flamboyantly gay TV host, who's now a walking miracle, I should say, if there ever was one. Unfortunately I failed to catch the guests' answer. (I was also disappointed that Bondoc did not pursue the question of the Church's stand on homosexuality per se, which, I think, is quite erroneous to some extent, viz., how can someone with a sexual orientation he or she didn't choose be sinning about it?)

Anyway, let's tackle here the genesis of the renewal movement in the Catholic fold. Texts in quotations are taken from The Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of Manila by Des Omac, Companion, Vol. 9, No. 3, 2001, Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines. [Intrusive side comments in brackets mine.]

“The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement is one of many recent ecclesial experiences after the Second Vatican Council together with others like the Focolare, the Curcillo, the Marriage Encounter and many more inspired by the Spirit to refresh spiritual life. [These movements, it has been noted, are actually not new; they are reminiscent of the many ecclesial movements through the ages, such as the one started by the fathers of the Benedictine, Franciscan and other religious orders.] All these involved something old, that is, going back basically to the challenge of the Gospel but packaging it in new wrappings though distinctive, fresh approaches – the same challenge of spreading the Good News of salvation but in ways more appropriate to the needs of the times. It is this freshness, this newness that characterizes the charismatic activity of the Spirit in the church.

“The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, “Catholic” to distinguish it from charismatic activities of other church denominations, has acquired large and devoted followings worldwide. Its momentum started during one weekend retreat in February 1967, with a group of about 20 students and faculty members at the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This event was marked by an outpouring of charismatic gifts like the apostolic experience recorded in the book of Acts and the fulfillment of the promise in Acts 1:8, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down upon you; then you are to be My witnesses.” Those who were present testified to have received gifts like that of speaking in tongues or glossolalia, prophecy, discernment of spirits, and the power to drive away evil.

“The events obviously manifested the Holy Spirit’s response to the express need of the Church to experience a new Pentecost as prayed for by Pope John XXIII and intimated through the teachings of Vatican II…” “…The movement rapidly spread to the campuses of Notre Dame University and the universities in Michigan and Indiana. Like wildfire, it drew so many to a spiritual reawakening in schools, parishes, convents, monasteries, offices in all parts of the world, the Philippines included. According to the Malines Document I, as of 1993 or a little more than 25 years later, it was estimated that some 60,000,000 Catholics have already experienced being “baptized in the Holy Spirit.” This gentle breeze of the Spirit blowing has recharged and filled peoples’ lives with fresh spiritual energy and enthusiasm, touching countless laypersons, religious, priests, even bishops in the work of renewing the face of the earth.

“…A great number of leaders who thought of it as an answer to the spiritual thirst or dryness being experienced by many people received it with eagerness and enthusiasm. [Understandably,] [h]owever, others viewed it from a distance at first, with a wait-and-see attitude or with much caution, misgivings, or even distrust. Many others on the side[lines], some even skeptics, were drawn to this Spirit-inspired movement as they witnessed supernatural changes happening in [the] lives and relationships of people who have participated in the programs it offered.”

[Today, a Catholic charismatic community, no matter how little, cannot recount its history without situating itself in the larger picture of these little-known events that are central to the birthing of the global Renewal movement. These events would comprise the common history that would bind all big and small communities here and around the world into a beautiful tapestry - woven undoubtedly by the mysterious fingers of the living God, an awesome handiwork for our time.]

It was these events that would eventually produce such living miracles as the work of communities like Elim and certain individuals like Bo Sanchez of Light of Jesus Community and Shepherd's Voice Publications as well as, believe it or not, Mike Velarde of El Shaddai.

[If I may insert some personal notes… I was blessed to have personally met one major figure of this movement in the Philippines in the person of one PR man named Tony Vasquez. Tony Vasquez was among the first witnesses who saw the beginnings of the Movement, particularly those in the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he consequently would receive training. Soon enough, he became one of the “founders of big communities and prayer groups [back home] during the early period, which include Fr. Pascual Adorable, S.J., Fr. Leonardo Polinar, Bro. Paul Aguas of Baguio City, Bro. PB Dionisio.” Tony Vasquez was around during the inception of such 'ideas' as Couples for Christ, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen of the Philippines, I think even the Word of Joy Foundation and the Institute for Pastoral Development, and something called Kawal ng Panginoon.]

[More importantly, he was as well a long-time personal friend of Vic Gutierrez, an elder of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (ALNP) Community, the first organized community in the Archdiocese of Manila. ALNP was founded in July 1975 under the headship of Fr. Herb Schneider, S.J. It was receiving continuous guidance directly from Ann Arbor, Michigan from some of the professors who experienced the weekend retreat of February 1967.]

[Today Vic Gutierrez is not just an elder of ALNP but serves, too, as the President for Asia Region of Christ the King Association (CKA), a worldwide organization of Catholic covenanted communities.]

posted by Resty Odon  # 4:23 PM