Abstrakt: | The Second Vatican Council prepared the Church for the requirements of the
present and, above all, it began the work of multidimensional renewal (biblical,
liturgical, spiritual, structural and pastoral). A particular feature of post-Conciliar
Catholicism is also the greater involvement of lay people in the mission of the
Church. The new Catholic movements and communities that renew the Church in
accordance with their character and vocation are indispensable in this process. An
important reality is the Charismatic Renewal (not identified with a single movement),
gradually recognized by the Church and appreciated by pastors.
An important voice was Saint John Paul II’s teaching who in his speeches and
texts showed the directions of the renewal of the Church, also those happening
through numerous groups of the Renewal in the Holy Spirit. In this context, John
Paul II’s observations expressed during many meetings with Catholic charismatics
are extremely valuable. The Pope pointed to the beautiful fruits of the Charismatic
Renewal, for example a prayer, biblical, missionary and sacramental revival, and
called for active participation in renewing the whole Church and sustaining the
ecclesiality of these groups through correct formation and unity with the bishops.
Thus, it must be said that the existing and still-emerging communities, bearing
charismatic experience, become a powerful stream of grace that renews the Church
and enables it to evangelize the contemporary world. |