The recognition of ICCRS as a body for the promotion of the CCR, with a juridical personality, according to Can. 116,

approving their Statutes, in their original form, deposited in the Archives of this Dicastery.

From the Vatican, 14 September, 1993, Feast of the Glorification of the Cross

Card. Eduardo Pironio with Mr. Charles Whitehead

The then ICCRS Council with Card. Pironio
and Bishop Josef Cordes

statutes

“Each of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible
for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others.
If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come from God;
if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s orders;
so that in everything God may receive the glory, through Jesus Christ,
since to him alone belong all glory and power for ever and ever. Amen”
(1 Pt. 4:10-11)

    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:

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 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.

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. 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.

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. This is guided by the Church's Magisterium, and participation in the pastoral plan of the Church.

ICCRS

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 Charismatic 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 23rd, 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 CCR with the Holy See. This organisation is known as ICCRS, International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.

ICCRS is an institution which works in communion with the Holy See, and is open to welcome and represent all the Charismatic expressions in the world that have the same spiritual inheritance, and share the same doctrine in communion with the Magisterium of the Church.

ICCRS consists of an international Council which shares and establishes the central goals, objectives and projects, having an office located in Vatican City, responsible for carrying out the decisions of the Council.
In pursuing its goals and objectives ICCRS seeks to offer helpful service to the CCR. It seeks also to gather wisdom, insight and experience, and to 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 CCR, ICCRS desires to stress its commitment to this servant role. It has therefore a moral authority and an authority of service. 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 CCR in no way limits the relationships between these 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 CCR 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:

(i) preparing different material about CCR and placing it at their disposition;

(ii) participating, through its members, in conferences, congresses, assemblies, etc., in order to encourage security, communion, peace and joy as well as solid doctrine;

(iii) helping with financial aid, visits and exchanges among the different centres of mutual enrichment; and

(iv) 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) in 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 and in accordance with the direct request of the Pontifical Council of the Laity, 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. The President of ICCRS may from time to time invite the President of the Catholic Fraternity to attend part of a Council meeting.

1. ICCRS' Council

Composition

Art. 11. The members of ICCRS comprise the ICCRS Council. ICCRS' Council consists of a President and 13 councillors, one of whom is the Vice-President, chosen in the following way: 5 from The Americas - 2 from North America (possibly one English-speaking and one French-speaking), 1 Portuguese-speaking from Latin America, 1 Spanish-speaking from South America, and 1 Spanish-speaking from Central or North America, 3 from Europe - one from Northern Europe, one from Southern Europe, and one from Eastern Europe, 2 from Africa - one from the English-speaking nations and one from the French-speaking ones, and 3 from Asia-Oceania - one from Eastern Asia, one from Middle and South-East Asia, and one from Oceania.

Art. 12. The Council may admit new members from particular ministries and from any areas not adequately represented, provided a majority of 2/3rds of the Council are in favour.

Art. 13. ICCRS has its official Office in Rome. Any change of location must be approved by a majority of 2/3rds and in accordance with the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

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 to the Holy See and all other entities;

5. appoint the Director in consultation with Council members and assign his/her duties;

6. authorise major expenditures by councillors.

Art. 15. The Vice-President helps, assists, and advises the President, and when necessary represents the President.

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 and sub-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 within that context will generate financial support to enable ICCRS to carry on its mission;

7. may jointly on the basis of common language, geographical proximity or other common interest gather CCR participants to study the possibilities for mutual assistance, exchange of services, personnel and publications, or the holding of joint assemblies, congresses, etc.
In order to encourage this co-operation, ICCRS will wherever possible set up regional sub-committees, consisting of the ICCRS Director and the ICCRS Councillors from that region, together with 3 or 4 members elected by the National Service Committees of the region. The sub-committee would be chaired by one of the ICCRS Councillors. The ICCRS Council members will decide how such elections are to be conducted. The President of ICCRS may by right attend any meetings of a regional sub-committee as a full member.

Art. 17. The Pontifical Council for the Laity:

1. The President of the Pontifical Council or his representative 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 movement 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).

Elections

Art. 18. The duration of the mandate.

ICCRS' members are elected for a three year period. They can be re-elected for one or two further consecutive 3 year terms (six more years). In special circumstances, ICCRS can extend the mandate for one further period of three years.

Art. 19. Procedures for the nomination

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.

7. For the selection of candidates the following procedure is to be followed:

(i) The out-going ICCRS member is entitled to nominate two or more candidates from the region.

(ii) ICCRS will write to all National Service Committees in the region, inviting each NSC to nominate a suitable candidate.

(iii) Other CCR leaders and realities may also be invited to submit names in accordance with the same provisions.

(iv) nominations received in the Office must include a full Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the candidate, with a recommendation from the NSC and/or other regional entities regarding the suitability of that person to be a candidate.

(v) Each nomination received must include a letter from the local Bishop or relevant Church authority, attesting to the suitability of the candidate for the position of an ICCRS Councillor.

(vi) When proposing a new representative to a geographical region, the person proposed should be based in that region.

Art. 20. Procedures for the election.

1. Each and every one of ICCRS members has a voice and vote in the election.

2. Discussion and dialogue takes place between existing members of ICCRS, followed by a time of prayer and discernment.

3. For the election of a new member a majority of 2/3rds of the ICCRS members is required. For re-election a simple majority is required. A member does not participate in the discussion or vote on his/her 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 or area of ministry which is approved by ICCRS, does not imply that member's resignation from ICCRS unless the Council feels that the individual no longer fulfils the criteria listed in Art. 19.

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.

(i) 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.

(ii) 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.

ICCRS meetings and committees

Art. 23. The ICCRS Council meets at least once a year for four or five days. The meeting consists of prayer, personal sharing, reports on the various regions and business matters.

Art. 24. Various committees function within ICCRS, of which two are essential:

1. The Executive Committee comprising the President and two or three members as chosen by ICCRS, one of whom should be the Vice-President. The Director would normally be invited to attend, but without a vote. Minutes are taken by a person authorised by the President. The mission of the executive committee is to make decisions on urgent matters presented between two ICCRS sessions, whenever it is not possible to wait until the next meeting. Afterwards the measures that were taken must be examined by ICCRS in its regular meeting to confirm or modify them.

2. The Financial Committee comprising of the President and two members as chosen by ICCRS. The Director would normally be invited to attend, but without a vote. Its purpose is to evaluate the financial situation of ICCRS and to resolve urgent financial problems of the Council and of ICCRS and of the projects decided by it.

3. All the committees will present annually a complete report of their activities to the ICCRS Council.

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. Among his many tasks, the Director will when requested represent ICCRS on behalf of the President.

Art. 27. ICCRS' Office is managed by the Executive Director under the supervision of the President and on the basis of the Council's guidelines.
The tasks of the office consist of co-ordination and administration in many different ways. For example:

1. Co-ordination and Administration: Keeping in order and up-to-date ICCRS’ lists of leaders area by area, undertaking correspondence, informing members of important news received from their areas, managing the Newsletter, the International Library and the Web pages, arranging and attending Council meetings and taking minutes of the proceedings, being available to the President and Council members for correspondence, translation etc., publishing ICCRS’ books, supervising ICCRS’ conferences and other meetings, producing special reports on the CCR situation in different parts of the world etc.

2. Accounting and Financial matters: Keeping the accounting books according to modern means and practices so they can be examined by the ecclesiastical authority according to Canon 325, producing an annual balance sheet with a profit and loss statement, preparing an annual budget for ICCRS’ members, raising financial resources to enable ICCRS to carry on its mission, dealing with the payment of salaries and wages, the reimbursement of expenses, and the payment of accounts etc., all according to the guidelines given by ICCRS and its President.

3. The task of receiving visitors is an important concern for the Office.

Art. 28.

1. On the right interpretation and application of the above statutes the ICCRS Council has exclusive authority (see the appendix).

2. For everything which is not regulated by the above statutes, the rules of Canon Law are to be applied.

Art. 29. Changes to the above statutes require consent by a 2/3rds majority of the ICCRS Council members before submitting proposed amendments to the Pontifical Council for the Laity for approval.

FIVE CENTRAL GOALS OF THE CCR

• CONVERSION, personal and ongoing, to our Lord Jesus Christ;

• SANCTIFICATION through an openness to and receptivity of the Holy Spirit through the Baptism in the Holy Spirit;

• EDIFICATION or the building up of the Church through the spiritual gifts or charismata;

• EVANGELIZATION of the unchurched and nominal Catholics, as well as of culture and the structures of society;

• INTEGRATION of the charismatic emphases and participation in the pastoral life of the Church.

ICCRS

• An organization approved by the Holy See as a Private Association of the Faithful with a juridical personality.

PURPOSE

• Promotes the five central goals of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal all over the world.

• Promotes unity among the varied realities and expressions (Individuals, Groups, Communities, Schools of Evangelization, Television nets, Association, Religious Institutes, Seminaries, Ecclesial Movements etc.) of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal as a center of communication, consultation, collaboration and coordination on the national and international levels with the Holy See.

• Establishes dialogue and cordial relationships with other ecclesial movements and communities within the Catholic Church, and with other Ecclesial Communions and Christian Churches.

HISTORY

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 Advisor 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. In 1978 the Council developed an international organization that was recognized by the Holy See.

MANDATE

• ICCRS was granted juridical personality on 14th September 1993 by the Pontifical Council for the Laity (decree n. 1565/93/AIC-73).

• Pope John Paul II recently re-affirmed this mandate: “The task of ICCRS is to coordinate and promote exchange of experiences and reflections among Catholic Charismatic communities throughout the world.” (Rimini, April 24, 2000)

• Furthermore, the Holy Father states: “I am certain that for ecclesial awareness to mature in the different Charismatic communities throughout the world, ICCRS can have an important role.”

• The ICCRS has been urged by Pope John Paul II to help move the CCR toward ecclesial maturity, characterized by holiness of life, by fidelity to the Church Magisterium, by loyalty and obedience to the Pastors, by active participation in the Church’s mission of evangelization and sanctification, and by the dynamic witnessing presence of its members in the world.

RELATIONSHIPS

• ICCRS seeks to serve through coordination, promotion, sharing of experiences, reflections and resources; through dialogue, fellowship, prayer, exhortation, and cooperation. ICCRS seeks not to govern, administer, or organize the CCR, but rather to serve in a fraternal spirit of fellowship.

• ICCRS offers, but does not impose, its services to all who wants them and to all who describe themselves as being born of an experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• ICCRS is inclusive in its approach to any organizations, not exclusive.

• Some groups do not wish to be identified with the CCR, even if they were born within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and/or share the same specific grace of the same CCR which is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the practice of charisms and ministries of the Holy Spirit. ICCRS still hopes to have communion and communication with them.

• Specifically, ICCRS seeks to relate to:

o Dicastries of the Holy See and in particular to the Pontifical Council for the Laity

o Vatican, via the Council for the Laity

o Ecclesial Movements and Communities within the Catholic Church

o Ecclesial Communions and Ecumenical bodies and organizations

o National Service Committees (NSC’s), National Head Contacts, National Correspondents, NSC’s of various ethnic groups in the same country, Continental Councils

o All the expressions and realities of the CCR

o Individuals in the CCR

• ICCRS will attempt to relate to individuals and groups in the following ways:

o Through its members, ICCRS will create and maintain contacts and interact with these charismatic realities.

o Through convening various gatherings, consultations, and events.

o Through continental sub-committees

SERVICES PROVIDED

• Offers teaching materials, books, newsletter and website

• Conducts on-site training

• Issues guidelines

• Gives pastoral advice

• Organizes conference, congresses, consultative assemblies, colloquia, spiritual retreats, pilgrimages for leaders

• Distributes financial assistance for the development and promotion of the CCR, especially in the poorest regions in the world

• Operates an office in the Vatican

• Is present in all the continents through its representatives who hail from these continents.

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