Catholic Charismatic Movement
Dear Bro. Ignatius,
My apologies as what I'm sending u now is not a question. But I had to make sure that this mail is sent to you. So this is the best alternative for me.
With all due respects to the work that you’re doing for God in reaching out to people through the internet and other forms of media, please avoid such outburst upon charismatics ever again. I recounted the fact you did conveyed your feelings in a negative way in one of your replies to someone regarding the movement. I tolerated that. Now this is the second time. I understand your bad experiences with charismatic laity n religious people as well. But what I’m seriously disturbed about is the way u generalize charismatics!
I quote, “One final note. I will be honest and tell you that I do not trust the Charismatics and would advise caution. It was because of abuses in deliverance ministry on the part of charismatics that the Church felt a need to issue Inde Ab Aliquot Annis in the first place. In addition I have had to personally pick up the pieces of a person abused by the "deliverance counseling" of a charismatic priest. “
Are you really sure that ALL charismatics are going against the Church?? I’m from Singapore. The charismatic movement here is very strong and it is GROWING. Many of us here, as far as I know, follow the Church teachings and we do not condemn people or give outbursts to folks who are against the movement. We follow and respect Church traditions. We don’t attend masses as though we are attending funeral masses. Hope u get my drift :) To us charismatics (Singapore) the Church teachings and traditions are equally important to us as the charismatic movement.
The movement is the work of the Spirit to build God’s kingdom on earth and to spread His mission, to bring others to Christ esp unbelievers. One should not condemn the movement even though some folks may end up doing the wrong thing. Judging those folks’ actions is fine but condemning the movement just because of the actions of some charismatics is totally unacceptable and not right. The gifts are not for ourselves but for the people of God. So far I have never seen or heard a charismatic priest in Singapore abusing any child of God in deliverance or counseling. I quote, “I do not find this surprising since the charismatic experience often tends to appeal to those with spiritual immaturity. “
The charismatic experience is not some performance that appeals to people. The Spirit draws people to Christ. I have seen such happening countless times and I’m not exaggerating. What I’m seeing here is really what u called revival. Praise God
I quote,” Those in the charismatic movement tend to borrow from Pentecostal theology and practice when it comes to the charismatic experience and in spiritual warfare. The Pentecostal theology and practice is seriously flawed. “ Very true. But the question arrives, are u sure that ALL in the charismatic movement implement such things?? I personally went through that and came out of it. Gone are those days where I borrowed materials from Pentecostal books.
I agree even in Singapore, there are some folks who are doing such. But not many, you can trust me on that.
I hope to see the Spiritual Director of the catholic charismatic movement some time soon to bring up the issue Inde Ab Aliquot Annis and ask him to put a stop to all in the movement in using the imprecatory commands, instead to use deprecatory commands. A huge number of people are not aware of this ruling from the Chruch. Many thanks for your efforts regarding this issue.
Lastly, there a lot of people visiting your website, please do not speak down on the Spirit’s movement and discourage people from getting involved in it. If the Lord wills, who can stop it??? I understand your concerns regarding the movement. Perhaps from the country you’re from, such concerns are in need of major attention but that doesn’t mean all parts of the world where charismatics exist, we are ALL doing the wrong stuff in the movement or actions filled with arrogance and cockiness as YOU would put it. Please DUN GENERALISE. Thank you.
Let US all get rid of pride and work together in humility to bring people to Christ. Amen.
QUESTION from Nivlem on May 14, 2004
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on May 15, 2004
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Dear Bro. Nivlem: One needs to be very careful to read answers carefully so as not to misinterpret them or see in them things that are not there or to interpret them through emotional attachment to the subject under discussion. My extensive post on the Charismatic Renewal is not generalized, but highly specific and is not all inclusive but makes specific reference to "some" charismatics" and other provisional language. To accuse me of painting all charismatics with the same broad brush is a simple falsehood ignoring the provisional language contained in the answer and the remarks at the end of the answer that praised the good things about the Charismatic Renewal. I would suggest you read the answer again (linked above), perhaps without emotional glasses? My answers are also not based upon my "feelings" or any bad experiences. It is based upon observable and documented facts. The answer linked above, contains mostly reasoned observations and analysis, not emotions. As to the quote of the remark I made that was a purely a personal one concerning my lack of trust, it is true that I do not trust any Charismatic at first meeting. Because there is so much excess and inappropriate application of subjective and emotional fervor that dominates over reason, I reserve judgement of any Charismatic that I meet, until I find out if he is well-balanced between emotion/subjectivity and reason, and thoroughly Catholic with no contamination from Pentecostalism. There are many Charismatics whom are friends of mine, including the Priest and Deacon who brought me into the Church. All of the co-founders of the Legion of St. Michael were in the Charismatic Renewal. There are many, many Charismatics who are level-headed and appropriate in their expression of the Charismatic experience. Nevertheless, the inappropriateness of much of the Renewal warrants a prudent caution at first meeting of anyone involved in the Renewal. Once introduced and we get to know one another, a judgement can be made as to the balance and appropriateness of the new charismatic friend. This is proper prudence and such prudence should never be put down. Exercising such prudence is not putting down the movement of the Spirit. On the contrary, exercising such prudence is TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit. We read in the Bible the advice of its writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to test the spirits (and the prophets). Even at Marian apparitions many seers have tested Mary to be sure it was she. This is proper and prudent. I test those in the charismatic Renewal and recommend others do too. I make no apologies for that since such caution and "testing" is Biblical advice. Anyone unwilling to accept such test and prudent examination would be cause for suspicion. Further, to avoid such caution and prudence with an experience that is no easily counterfeited by Satan, or so easily produced by psychological factors, would be foolish and a direct ignoring of Biblical advice. The position I have taken in the answer linked above stands "as is," and further, when I have the time, that answer will be formalized as an essay for publication.
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