Excerpt from An Anthology of Texts of the Catholic Church 1986-1994, edited by the Working Group on New Religious Movements in the VATICAN. For full text, click here.
Note: New Religious Movements is abbreviated as NRMs.
Many statements from every part of the world emphasize that one of the principal attractions of the new religious movements lies in the vitality of their community life: it involves a dynamism of communication, a sense of belonging, and forms of spontaneous and participative worship.
An equal number of statements list these qualities as constituting challenges to the Catholic Church, as raising questions for self-examination about the relative formality, anonymity, and lack of imagination that can characterize many parish liturgies. The NRMs seek out people where they live and speak to the concerns of their lives: they often use large numbers of lay ministers in their outreach. In some respects the Catholic Church needs to pay attention to the success of these groups in order to stimulate and renew its own language of evangelization.
Among the responses most mentioned are: fostering vitality of faith ' through small communities; the need to renew the sense of liturgical participation in the Eucharist; the involvement of laypeople in thc task of evangelization; a better catechesis in the fundamentals of the faith; the development of a mature sense of the Bible as a source of prayer; the need to respond to particular difficulties of particular NRMs with a differentiated approach, because not every movement is the same.
DOCUMENTS AND DISCOURSES OF POPE JOHN PAUL
The sects and the new religious movements today place before the Church a noteworthy pastoral challenge both because of the spiritual and social malaise into which their roots reach, as well as tradition, are often employed for purposes far removed from their original scope.
Message for World Migration Day, Doc. 5
The sects have had great success and their work and influence within the Christian life of your people is significant and can become disastrous. This, then, is one of the most urgent challenges to your pastoral zeal. The urgency of redoubled efforts in evangelization is becoming increasingly evident. Dear brothers, this must involve everyone: priests and laity, especially those with the best training. Your pastoral concern will lead you to take saving action in all areas in which one can discern syncretism that deviates from unity and truth: "Caritas Christi urget nos."
To the Bishops of the North-2 Region of Brazil, Doc. 4
If we add to this [the religious relativism] the enterprising proselytism that characterizes some of the especially active and invasive groups, we can immediately see how urgent it is to sustain the faith of believers, giving them the opportunity for a continuous religious formation so that they can always improve their relationship with Christ. This is an extremely great missionary work that God entrusts most of all to you, pastors of his flock, and that requires the commitment of means, a synergy of apostolic initiatives, and most of all, prayer and passionate love for souls.
To Bishops of Abruzzi and Molise (Italy), Doc.7.
In the magnificent mission of the new evangelization, you must help your communities become increasingly open, welcoming, sensitive to the real conditions of persons who are arriving; seeking to direct them through a real catechesis, either on the level of the Catechetical Pastoral itself, or through directives given during various Eucharistic celebrations or even together with the church movements that give life to many of the dioceses and parishes of your country.
To the Bishops of the North-2 Region of Brazil, Doc. 4
The worrisome phenomenon of the sects must be countered with pastoral action centered on the whole person, on his or her communal dimension and yearning for a personal relationship with God. It is a fact that where the Church's presence is dynamic, such as in parishes where there is a steady formation in the word of God; where the liturgy is active and people participate; where there is a Marian piety, true solidarity in the social field, a notable pastoral concern for the family, youth, and the sick, we see that the sects or parareligious movements do not become established or do not make progress.
Because of its eminently Catholic roots, the deep-seated popular religiosity of your faithful, with its extraordinary values of faith and piety, of sacrifice and solidarity, when properly evangelized and joyfully celebrated and directed toward the mysteries of Christ and the Virgin Mary, may serve as antidote to the sects and help safeguard fidelity to the message of salvation.
Opening Address to the I V General Conference Latin American Bishops, Doc. 11
Yet, in the midst of this spiritual confusion, the Church's pastors should be able to detect an authentic thirst for God and for an intimate, personal relationship with him.... Pastors must honestly ask whether they have paid sufficient attention to the thirst of the human heart for the true "living water" that only Christ our Redeemer can give (cf. Jn 4:7-13). They should insist on the spiritual dimension of the faith, on the perennial freshness of the Gospel message and its capacity to transform and renew those who accept it.
To the Bishops of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska (United States), Doc . 13
THE DOCUMENTS OF THE CHURCH
The Christian message, centered on Jesus Christ who is always alive and present in his Church, must be taught in its entirety, with simplicity and clarity. This proposal is always new, and certainly answers the needs of the human creature, but it always calls for conversion of hearts to the one and true God. This proclamation is to be achieved in all the ways possible; this is a priority in the Church's universal mission, in which the lay faithful have a shared responsibility.
The participants in the consistory therefore insisted on the necessity of promoting a knowledge of sacred Scripture rooted in the Church's tradition and capable of nourishing authentic spirituality and personal prayer. They recalled the importance of welcoming church communities where all people are respected and involved, and where the liturgy and devotions are participative and adapted to the cultural context.
IV Extraordinarv Consistory of Cardinals, Doc. 24
To evangelize the new religious movements requires three essential things from us:
· that we proclaim the Catholic faith with assurance and clarity, which implies constant deepening and the rediscovery of the rich doctrinal and spiritual heritage of our tradition;
· that we believe and multiply the places where one dares to pray and meditate, speak of mysticism and spirituality; this necessarily means: restoring the fervor, beauty and symbolic dimension of our liturgical celebrations, which can move man's heart; encouraging the vitality of groups, gatherings, and meetings where the fraternal communion of the baptized is lived and expressed;
· that we pay constant attention to the various phenomena characterizing this new religiosity; if we strive to be more familiar with the "sects" and "movements" of which it consists, we will succeed in better understanding their adepts and in undertaking a rich and fruitful dialogue with those of them who arc ready for it.
Most Rev. Pierre Raffin, Doc59
The new religious movements promise people wisdom, peace, harmony and self-realization. Our presentation of Christianity should be that of good news, of divine wisdom, of unity and harmony with God and all creation, of happiness that is the earthly preparation for heavenly bliss, and of that peace which the world cannot give (cf. Jn 14:27).
The dimension of religious experience should not be forgotten in our presentation of Christianity. It is not enough to supply people with intellectual information. Christianity is neither a set of doctrines nor an ethical system. It is life in Christ, which can be lived at ever deeper levels.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Doc. 25
Although our faith includes a "doctrine" and implies "morals" . . . it is essentially and firstly adherence to Someone who revealed himself to us; it is a positive response to a proposition of salvation that God addresses to us in a decisive and irrevocable way in Jesus Christ; it is a way towards him, a life for him and our brothers, total abandonment of ourselves to his will, as perfect and faithful an imitation of his life as possible, an entry into communion with him who is Love, that is, a gift of himself to the human sinners that we are. It is a generous and total commitment to witnessing to Love who revealed himself to us and who urges us to transform humanity and the world to make it a "civilization of love" (Pope Paul VI). It has happened, and it still happens, that we so stress the doctrinal aspect of the moral implication of faith that we forget to offer our brothers this way of freedom, this way of salvation, this divine life that is Jesus Christ, the heart, the focal point of the Good News!
Most Rev. Pierre Raffin, Doc. 59
In a world in which the variety of choice in the religious field resembles the shelf of a well-stocked supermarket, how is the quest for happiness to be evangelized? The Holy Father gives a wonderful example of this in his talks to young people. The VI World Youth Day in Czestochowa is fresh in the minds of all. The Pope did not hesitate to present the youth with a high ideal, that of living as children of God in true freedom. This freedom, he emphasized, is both exterior and interior. There is a right to religious liberty that society must respect. But true freedom includes liberation from sin, the root of all human enslavement. It is a freedom from evil and for good. Based on respect for the truth about human nature and creation, it leads to commitment and service.
Most Rev. Michael L. Fitzgerald, Doc. 32
There is a rising interest in spiritual growth among many of our beloved Catholic people. The emergence of the New Age movement is indeed an indication that the spiritual dimension of life is being sought by many in our times.
This is both a challenge and an opportunity for the followers of the Lord.... It is a challenge to our clergy, religious and laity to give a new witness to the spirituality of their faith. It is a challenge to parish communities to promote spiritual renewal programs, to become richer centers of prayer, to be more ardent in their liturgical sacramental worship and in many forms of devotion.
It is a time to offer and promote retreats, days of recollection.... It is a time to foster many forms of prayer including meditation, contemplation, centering prayer and private devotions.... It is time to reflect on the quality of family prayer.
Most Rev. Edward Anthony McCarthy, Doc. 46
People must be helped to know themselves as unique, loved by a personal God, and with a personal history from birth through death to resurrection. Old truth should continually become for them new truth through a genuine sense of renewal, but with criteria and a framework of thinking that will not be shaken by every newness that comes their way. Special attention should be paid to the experiential dimension, i.e., discovering Christ personally through prayer and dedication (e.g., the charismatic and born again movements). Many Christians live as if they had never been born at all! Special attention must be given to the healing ministry through prayers, reconciliation, fellowship and care. Our pastoral concern should not be one-dimensional; it should extend, not only to the spiritual, but also to the physical, psychological, social, cultural, economic and political dimensions.
Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, Secretariat for Non-Christians, Secretariat for Non-Believers, and Pontifical Council for Culture, Doc. 23
Present a Christian anthropology, which provides the meaning of human potential, the meaning of resurrection, and the meaning of our relationship with the universe. Keep in mind that indifferentism must be combated by adequately presenting the ultimate meaning of the human being.
IV General Conference of Latin American Bishops, Doc. 39
We Catholics have excellent Bible resources and scholars of international repute. Our challenge now is to get this knowledge into the minds, hearts and lives of all our Catholic people. We need a pastoral plan for the word of God that will place the sacred Scriptures at the heart of the parish and individual life. Pastoral creativity can develop approaches such as weekly Bible study groups and yearly Bible schools in every parish. We need to have the introduction to each Bible reading prepared and presented by the rector in a way that shows familiarity with and love for the sacred text.... We need to educate—to re-educate our people knowingly in the Bible so as to counteract the simplicities of biblical fundamentalism.
National Conference of Catholic Bishops (United States), Doc 41
1. There is the challenge to read and study, pray over and live the written Word of God.
2. There is the challenge to provide catechesis that will enable Catholics "to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you" (1 Pt 3:15), and lead to a mature personal commitment to the Lord Jesus and a living relationship with him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
3. There is also the challenge to devise pastoral approaches that will reach out to all, especially those who are marginalized in our churches, to make every member of the Church feel that he/she belongs to the Catholic Church in the small communities and parishes.
4. There is likewise the challenge to make our liturgies and prayer meetings fraternally warm gatherings of people committed to the Lord. Preparation of biblically based homilies delivered with conviction and the power of the Spirit is seen as an important step towards a more alive liturgical celebration.
5. And finally, there is the challenge to recruit and train lay evangelizers who will confirm their brothers and sisters in the faith through their ministry of the Word of God.
But perhaps the most concrete pastoral strategy adopted by the pastors in the Philippines to counteract the influence of fundamentalist sects is the formation of basic ecclesial communities.
Cardinal Ricardo J. Vidal, Doc. 31
There is urgent need for vital participation in small communities. There is great danger in a Church of the masses. The future lies in converting parishes into a community of communities where people feel welcome, where they can experience Christian fraternity, read and reflect together on the Word of God and, by finding through this the strength to live out their lives in a Christian way, to fulfill their evangelizing mission.
Cardinal Angel Suouia Goicoechea, Doc. 29
Today in the United States there is an increasing interest in the formation of such small church communities. Large churches, both Catholic and non-Catholic, are recognizing the potential benefit.
Most Rev. Robert Fortune Sanchez, Doc. 48
Strive to make the Church ever more communitarian and participatory through ecclesial communities, family groups, Bible circles, and ecclesial movements and associations so that the parish becomes a community of communities.
IV General Conference of Latin American Bishops, Doc. 39
Lay ministries are highly effective in counteracting the presence and work of proselytizers. This high visibility of lay ministers/witnesses has helped transform large city parishes into dynamic loving and serving communities. Each of the ministries becomes a community of its own stressing a particular charism or virtue, affirming one another and sharing a common vision and concern. The Spirit of God works miracles through the instrumentality of these lay ministers.
Most Rev. Robert Fortune Sanchez, Doc. 48
Catechists would seem to be particularly suitable for counteracting the influence of the sects. As they have the task of teaching the faith and of fostering the growth of Christian life, they can help both Christians and non-Christians understand what the real answers to their needs are, without having recourse to the pseudo-securities of the sects. Also, being members of the laity, they are closer to the people and can know their direct and lived situations.
The preferential work-lines for the catechists should be: to study first of all what exactly the sects teach and the points on which they particularly attack the Church, so as to be able to point out the inconsistencies in their position; to forestall their encroachment by giving positive instruction and encouraging the Christian community to greater fervor; and to proclaim clearly the Christian message. They should give personal attention to people and their problems, helping them to clarify doubts and to be wary of the specious promises of the sects.
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Doc. 20
Several reasons have been put forward for the attractiveness of the sects and independent churches. In these religions people are able to express themselves in celebrations, even to the sharing of their insights into the readings, witnessing and praying as adults in the community. More extensive use is made of the charisma of healing, prophesying, etc., in the community. The Bible is given great prominence and is central in the celebrations. Another reason is the freedom experienced in the sects, freedom in worship, freedom to be oneself, freedom to be at once African and Christian.
Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, Doc. 37
One of the claims of the sects and independent churches is often that of "healing" of both spirit and body, It is here that the Catholic Church is frequently lacking. Priests and other pastoral workers should conduct more services for the sick and for those troubled by "spirits." The Church is seen to be lacking in this care. More such care would offer an alternative to those who would otherwise attend sects for healing services.
Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, Doc. 37
Commitment to the poor and marginalized: It is necessary and helpful to insist that it is impossible to believe in Christ and still be indifferent to the problems of our needier brothers and sisters.... Therefore we must all be true promoters of justice, peace and reconciliation.
A good family and youth apostolate: In the Latin American world we know the importance of the family; therefore it is necessary to create a good family apostolate so that, beginning with an experience of God and faith in Jesus Christ, the family can assume its true mission of educator in the faith, promotor of development, and adequately form children so that, through a dynamic youth apostolate, they can be true builders of a better world and a civilization based on love.
Popular devotion: This pastoral activity of the Church cannot remain outside our pastoral option in the face of the hounding by the "sects" since it is one of the strongest religious characteristics of our continent; it manifests the inner purity of the faith of our simple people. For the sects it is a point to be attacked; therefore we cannot lay it aside. We must be concerned to give it a greater evangelizing sense and channel the wealth that is found in it.
Use of the mass media: This is a key; if the Church does not use it, we will be very far behind. Therefore the effective use that can be made of the media in evangelization is a great challenge that we must face as a Church that is on pilgrimage in the continent of Latin America.
Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo, Doc. 28
Every diocese or group of dioceses should ask itself searching questions such as the following: What are the sects or new religious movements actually present in its territory? What are their methods of operation? What are the weak points in Catholic life in the area that the NRMS exploit? What practical helps do the lay faithful receive in spirituality and offering of personal prayer? How does the Church in the diocese and its parishes contribute to the building up of genuine support for Christians in material, social or other difficulty? Does the activity of the NRMS in the area indicate that it would be useful if the bishop issued a document for the guidance of the faithful?
Cardinal Francis Arinze Doc 25
Perhaps we should regard this challenging phenomenon not as a threat, but rather as a catalyst that has succeeded in capturing our attention and thus turned us away from our indifference and false self-satisfaction. It has succeeded in reminding us that we are essentially a missionary church called to spread the good news of God's love and mercy for all people. Active proselytism today will indeed become a blessing for our Catholic Church to the extent that we are able to respond positively and enthusiastically.
Most Rev Robert Fortune Sanchez Doc 48
From Sects and New Religious Movements
An Anthology of Texts from the Catholic Church 1986-1994
edited by The Working Group on New Religious Movements in the VATICAN.
Last updated August 19, 2000 23:58