The Catholic charismatic
renewal is not a single, unified world wide movement. It does not
have a single founder or group of founders as many other movements do.
It has no membership lists. It is a highly diverse collection of individuals,
groups and activities, often quite independent of one another, in different
stages and modes of development and with differing emphases, that nevertheless
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 on 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 than by governance.
The central goals of Catholic charismatic
renewal, or Catholic Pentecostal renewal as it is also called,
include:
1. To foster mature and continuous
personal conversion to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
2. 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.
3. To foster the reception and
use of the spiritual gifts (charismata) not only in the charismatic
renewal 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.
4. 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. The renewal 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.
5. 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 guided by the Church's magisterium, and participation in the
pastoral plan of the Church.
These goals and the projects that
flow from them have marked the Catholic charismatic renewal in individuals,
prayer groups, communities, local, diocesan and national service teams
and ministries. In order to serve needs for communication, co-operation
and co-ordination, a council and an international office were set up in
1978 under the auspices of Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens, named
by Pope Paul VI as his Episcopal Adviser to the renewal on the
international level. The council was formed of leaders from around the
world and the office was established first in Brussels and later in Rome.
On May 23, 1984, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Paul J. Cordes
to succeed Cardinal Suenens as his representative to the Council. Since
1978 the Council has developed an international organisation which on
one hand promotes communication and co operation among renewal organisations
on the national level and on the other hand provides a channel of communication
and co operation for the international renewal with the Holy See. This
organisation is now to be known as ICCRS, International Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Services.
The International Catholic Charismatic
Renewal Service (ICCRS) is an institution (organisation) which
seeks to foster charismatic renewal in the Roman Catholic Church on the
world wide level. The institution consists of an international council
which shares and establishes the central goals, objectives and projects,
having an office located in Rome, responsible for carrying out the decisions
of the council.
In pursuing its goals and objectives
ICCRS seeks to offer helpful service to the renewal world wide.
ICCRS seeks to gather wisdom, insight and experience from around
the world and in turn make it available world wide. When ICCRS
presents teaching or pastoral advice, issues guidelines, or offers on
site training, it does so as a servant offering help, not as an authority
expecting compliance.
In relating to national and local
expressions of charismatic renewal ICCRS desires to stress its
commitment to this servant role. It has therefore an authority of service,
a certain moral authority. ICCRS does not, however, seek to
impose its authority but only to offer its services. The relationship
between ICCRS and national and local expressions of the renewal
in no way limits the relationships between renewal groups and their local
and national bishops. Nor does the relationship with ICCRS in any
way limit the freedom of any individual or group in the renewal to relate
to the Holy See.
Art. 8. ICCRS serves the CCR world wide as a centre of unity, communication and co-operation
in order to fulfil Christ's desire: "That they may all be one"
(Jn. 17:21) and to keep Christ's body without divisions (1 Co. 12:4-31).
This unity has to be understood within the context of diversity, since
inside the CCR different forms and manifestations can be, and in fact,
are present.
ICCRS' service embraces
the following:
1) Helping all CCR leaders of the world through
constant communication.
This is accomplished by:
a) preparing different material about CCR and placing it at their disposition;
b) participating, through its members, in conferences, congresses, assemblies,
etc., in order to encourage security, communion, peace and joy as well
as solid doctrine;
c) helping with financial aid, visits and exchanges among the different
centres of mutual enrichment; and
d) helping to promote those approaches or decisions which would be more
prudent and in conformity with the Church's intentions in that which concerns
evangelization, pastoral work, etc.
In all this, and, in general, in all matters ICCRS resolves to
act with a great respect for the principle of subsidiarity.
2) Assisting
CCR and the Bishops in the encouragement and in the discernment of
charisms, following the doctrine of Vatican II (LG 12,2).
3) Working
for mutual understanding between the CCR and the Church, following
the Popes' orientations, and encouraging at an international level the
collaboration among the CCR, bishops and theologians.
4) Stimulating
CCR participants to work for the evangelization of the world "We
are ruled by Christ's love for us" (2 Cor 5:14) pointing towards
the third millennium after Christ's birth. This is a challenge given by
the Roman Pontiff. ICCRS accepts it, trusting in the Holy Spirit's special
assistance, working to focus CCR's energies from the most developed areas
towards those which are less developed or poor.
5) Serving
as an information centre for the CCR and for all those who wish to
know about it.
6) In its spirit
of service ICCRS will maintain a relationship of dialogue and collaboration
with the "Catholic Fraternity of Covenant Communities",
established as a Private Association of the Faithful by the Holy
See.
Art. 9. ICCRS, to better obtain
the above-mentioned aims or objectives, commits itself to fulfil the following
services.
1) Visiting
by the president or other members, in so far as possible, CCR national
co-ordinators and CCR centres around the world. Their visits are to coincide,
if possible, with some important event which will gather a considerate
number of CCR participants. They are also to exchange with the leaders
their impressions on their programs and projects and offer services in
so far as possible to these leaders.
2) Communicating
regularly with CCR leaders throughout the world through letters, the
ICCRS Newsletter for leaders, and other writings.
3) Organising
world wide conferences and congresses for CCR leaders as well as supporting
other initiatives and proposals for other kinds of conferences of meetings
on national and international levels.
4) Preparing
theological and pastoral studies about the CCR, known as "ICCRS
Documents", and gradually developing them in such a way that the
subjects for an adequate catechesis for the CCR groups will be covered.
5) Promoting
other writings and publications on CCR in different parts of the world
and facilitation of their translation into other languages.
6) Maintaining
frequent contact with the Holy See through the Episcopal Adviser and
The Pontifical Council for the Laity.
7) Visiting
the different dicasteries or offices of the Holy See to keep them
informed of the CCR world wide progress and to dialogue with them on CCR
theological and pastoral aspects. The visits will be carried out by those
members delegated by the ICCRS at its annual general meeting.
8) Equitably
distributing financial aid for the development and promotion of CCR
in the poorest regions of the world in accordance with ICCRS' means.
Art. 10. The goals, objectives
and projects of ICCRS will be promoted by its Council. In the services
offered to the regions and countries of the world, ICCRS has no juridical
authority over the CCR.
l. ICCRS' Council
a) Composition
Art. 11. The members of ICCRS
comprise the ICCRS Council. ICCRS' Council consists of a President, a
Vice-President and 12 councillors, chosen in the following way: 2 from
North America, 2 from Latin America, 3 from Europe (one
from northern Europe, one from southern Europe, and one from eastern Europe),
2 from Africa (one from the French speaking nations and one the
English speaking ones), and 3 from Asia-Oceania. The ICCRS Council
has an Episcopal Adviser, appointed by the Holy Father.
Art. 12. The Council may admit
new members from particular ministries, covenant communities and major
geographical areas not already present.
Art. 13. ICCRS has its official office
in Rome. The change of location must be approved by a majority of 2/3,
with the approval of the Episcopal Adviser, and dialogue with the Pontifical
Council for the Laity.
b) Mission of each member
Art. 14. It is the duty of the President to:
1) keep in contact with and consult other members;
2) implement the decisions of ICCRS;
3) convoke and preside over ICCRS' meetings and to prepare an agenda
after consultation with other members;
4) represent ICCRS before the Holy See with the delegates mentioned in
Art.9.7;
5) appoint office staff and
to assign their duties; and,
6) authorise major expenditures
by councillors.
Art. 15. The Vice-President helps and assists the President whenever that
office holder is impeded.
Art. 16. The councillors:
1) are obliged to attend ICCRS' meetings;
2) must keep frequent contact with the President and the ICCRS office
and provide information asked of them;
3) must serve on the ICCRS committees to which they are appointed;
4) must send an annual detailed report to ICCRS on the situation
of CCR in their geographic area or particular area of concern, giving
a real assessment of the renewal;
5) must strive to live up to CCR
standards and
to be authentic examples
to their geographic
group or particular area;
6) must seek to represent ICCRS
in their
own geographic or particular area
of concern
and to as many CCR groups in that
area as possible;
7) should be available to assist
the
progress of CCR groups through
frequent consultation with their
directors in addition to what is
stated in Article 8;
8) may establish regional centres for counselling and similar projects;and,
9) may jointly on the basis of common
language, geographical proximity
or other
common interest gather renewal participants
to study the
possibilities for mutual assistance,
exchange of services, personnel
and publications,
or the holding of joint assemblies,
congresses, etc.
Art. 17. The Episcopal Adviser:
1) is invited to attend ICCRS' meetings
and committees;
2) assists the ICCRS Council and its Office in a theological and
spiritual basis;
3) ensures that the central goals of the Catholic Charismatic movements
and of ICCRS corresponds to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church
and especially to the teachings and orientation of the Holy Father with
regard to Charismatic Renewal;
4) promotes unity within the plurality
of
the Catholic Charismatic
movement
at the international level;
5) he is consulted especially with regard to
important decisions
and programs
(such as, for
example, the choice of a President,
changes in the
Statutes and headquarters).
c. Elections
Art. 18. The duration
of the mandate. ICCRS' members are elected for a three year
period. They can be re-elected. but only for two consecutive times (six
more years), nevertheless, in special circumstances, ICCRS can
extend the mandate for one further period.
Art. 19. New members of ICCRS are elected by the electing members having regard for the following criteria:
1) leadership in the CCR requires belonging to the Catholic Church;
2) leadership in the CCR and full commitment to the CCR -not merely a representative,
an information gatherer, a counsellor or an episcopal delegate and without
a commitment to the CCR;
3) representative of a qualified section of the CCR (for example, the covenant
communities) or of a particular linguistic or cultural reality committed
to social and pastoral activities of the CCR;
4) understanding well the progress and evolution of CCR;
5) persons specially prepared, capable
of working with others, of good judgement and with imagination and creativity
for the particular services of ICCRS;
6) persons well known for their good reputation and committed to Christ
and to the Church.
Art. 20. Procedures for the election.
1) Each and every one of ICCRS members has a voice and vote in the election.
2) Leaders of various regions may propose names. Discussion may then take
place between existing members of ICCRS and such leaders followed by a
time of dialogue, prayer and discernment by the existing members of ICCRS.
3) For the election
of a new member
a majority of
two thirds of the ICCRS
members is required.
A members does
not participate
in the vote on one's own re-election.
4) When an ICCRS
member relinquishes
a position on
the Council, the successor does not
necessarily have
to come from the same country,
even though a
geographic
area must be
taken into consideration.
5) Any change in a member's responsibility, approved by ICCRS, does
not imply that member's resignation.
6) Voting is conducted by secret ballot.
Art. 21. The President is elected by the ICCRS members from nominations approved
by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Art. 22. If it be the judgement of the majority of the Council
members that the President is not fulfilling the presidential duties,
then, after fraternal dialogue with the President and after proper consultation
with the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the members, having presented
it to the Lord, may, in charity, request the incumbent to resign.
If the President refuses, the Vice-President takes the office of Presidency
and convokes an extraordinary ICCRS meeting to study the matter and to
act consequently. The President will not attend the meeting, but may submit
in writing the reasons for not resigning and must be given an opportunity
to respond to any new allegations made during the extraordinary meeting.
If, after full discussion at the meeting and any necessary dialogue with
the President, a vote has to be taken, the procedure will follow Canon
119 §2, and the decision will be communicated to the Pontifical Council
for the Laity. If a new President is to be elected, the procedure will
follow the norm established in Art. 21. After the election of the new
President, a further vote will be taken to decide if the deposed President
will remain a member of the Council.
d) ICCRS Meetings and committees
Art. 23. The ICCRS council meets at least once a year for four or
five days. The meeting consists of personal sharing, reports on the various
regions, and a business session.
Art.
24. Two committees function within ICCRS:
1) The executive committee comprising
the President and two or three members
as chosen by ICCRS. Minutes
are taken
by a person authorised by the President.
The mission of the executive committee
is
to make decisions on urgent problems
presented between two ICCRS sessions,
whenever it is not possible
to wait until
the next meeting.
Afterwards the measures that have
been taken must be
examined by ICCRS
in its regular meeting to confirm
or correct them.
2) The financial
committee comprising
of the President
and two members
who are
chosen by ICCRS and are not members
of the executive committee.
The Executive Director
also is present as a technician
with a voice but without
a vote, unless
he is at the same time
and ICCRS councillor.
Its purpose is to resolve urgent financial problems
of the Council and of
ICCRS and of the projects decided
by it.
3) Both committees will present annually
a complete report
of their activities to ICCRS.
2. ICCRS Office
Art 25. The ICCRS Office serves the ICCRS' Council, providing the
necessary administration to implement the Council's decisions. It is equipped
with sufficient equipment in order to accomplish the work entrusted to
it and to preserve the archives. It has the necessary personnel, according
to ICCRS' criteria, chosen from different parts of the world, with the
special representation of the languages most spoken within the CCR.
Art. 26. The Executive Director is chosen by the ICCRS Council members,
and may but need not be a member of the Council.
Art. 27.
ICCRS' office is managed by the Executive
Director under the continuous supervision of the President and on the
basis of the Council's guidelines.
The tasks of
the office consist in co-ordination and administration:
1) Co-ordination activity:
a) keep in order
and up-to-date ICCRS' lists of leaders area by area as well as other important
information;
b) undertake correspondence;
c) inform the involved members on the important news received from
their areas;
d) manage the printing and mailing of the bulletin;
e) attend the council meeting and minute the proceedings;
f) be available to the President and Council members for writing letters,
translation, etc.
g) organise ICCRS conferences and council meetings;
h) co-ordinate the printing and publication of ICCRS' books;
i) publish a special annual bulletin summarising the CCR situation in the
world on the basis of the reports of the ICCRS members.
2) Administrative and Financial
activities:
a) keep in order and up-to-date the accounting books, according to modern
means, which could be examined by the ecclesiastical authority according
to Canon 325;
b) prepare the annual budget to be approved by ICCRS' members;
c) prepare the annual balance sheet and gain and loss statement;
d) raise, with ICCRS' members' permission and help, financial resources
trying never to miss whatever is required for ICCRS to fulfil its mission
with dignity; and
e) reimburse ICCRS members and staff personnel members according to the
guidelines of ICCRS and its president.
3) The task of receiving visitors is an important concern for the Office.
Art. 30. ICCRS' Office is regulated
by these statutes and the directions of the Executive Committee.
Cardeal
Eduardo Pironio com Sr. Charles Whitehead
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