Vietnam's healing Masses showcase tension between charisma, authority

Michie

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*You are in the Catholic forum*

"It's important for the Church to understand the fears of the people, and not attribute them to superstition," Katil said. "Witchcraft is a reality; it is not a superstition. If we don't believe in the existence of witchcraft as Satanism, then we cannot deal with it."

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Vietnam's healing Masses showcase tension between charisma, authority
 
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anna ~ grace

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This is concerning. I know that the Charismatic Renewal is staunchly defended by many Catholics. And that it was allowed under Pope John Paul II. But I also don't see *how* it is compatible with traditional Catholic forms of worship, theology, ecclesiology, and prayer. I also don't see how it won't inevitably lead to damaging and divisive practices, and more souls leaving the Church for Charismatic churches.

I think Oriental Orthodoxy has battled this. Coptic priests and bishops were forced to essentially kick Pentecostal elements, people, songs, and theology out of their churches. This was difficult, as many lay people and some clergy had become very attached to the emotional, personal, spontaneous forms of worship being promoted. It seemed to work, though.
 
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Michie

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I'm conflicted on the topic myself. There must be order in the liturgy. But at the same time I have read where the Church approves of the Charismatic Renewal in the Church. So what is a person to think?
 
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anna ~ grace

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I'm conflicted on the topic myself. There must be order on the liturgy. But at the same time I have read where the Church approves of the Charismatic Renewal in the Church. So what is a person to think?
Imho that allowing this movement to flourish and grow within the Church might have been a huge mistake. :(

I don't know. I am sure some Charismatic Catholics have balance. But, healing, gifts, prophecies, etc. have always been a part of the Church from day one, minus this undeniably Pentecostal-ish looking contemporary stuff. Just read the lives of the Saints. Healings, miracles, bilocation, prophecy, stigmata, men and women surviving only on the Eucharist.

But still, it's not this.
 
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