50th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal in Canada

To mark the 50^th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal in Canada which is being celebrated during 2018, the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released a message, dated 25 January 2018, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle.

The message expresses “thanks to the Lord for the blessings of God which Catholic charismatics have brought our dioceses and parishes.” It also recalls how the “faithfully-attended prayer groups, the careful study of the word of God, catechesis, times of praise, prayers of intercession, the blessings and constructive challenges of life in community – all these have marked the life of Charismatic communities across Canada and have contributed to the building up of the Church in our land.”

The Bishops on the Commission reiterate as well the importance for Charismatic Renewal groups to provide catechesis and formation in Catholic theology, as well as witnessing to communion by being fully integrated into the pastoral life of the local diocese and parish. The five-page message is divided into five sections, and also makes reference to the pastoral letter published in 2003 by what was then the CCCB Theology Commission on the 35th anniversary of Charismatic Renewal in Canada.