Charles Whitehead the former ICCRS Chairman in his article “What is the nature of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal” -states , “ We should all be giving time and using our gifts to help one another grow spiritually. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is clearly a gift to the whole Church.”

Since serving as editor I have witnessed a number of contrary events, to Charles Whitehead's statement, “that we should all be united in helping each other grow spiritually.” My witness of these events may likely be the reasons why the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Malaysia has not been fully accepted as a Gift to the Malaysian Church . A ‘Gift' poured out generously to renew and restore the Graces of Baptism and Confirmation. To “ witness” according to the dictionary is to “give evidence after seeing or hearing something.”

I have witnessed:

(i) leaders attracted to sensationalism and lacking in spiritual maturity. Some COPY expressions be it in prayer or in Ministry from outside due to ignorance of Catholic culture. Some even receive teachings and Biblical interpretations from outside the Catholic church because “Our Catholic Clergy are not so dynamic.” or lack formation . Many leaders don't come for formation programmes organised by the CCR.

(ii) Leaders lack the Vision of the CCR. There is a lack of Discernment, wisdom and creativity as to how to bring Renewal into the Parish, which is the goal of the CCR and the Church itself.

(iii) Pride and ‘self' preservation still continues. “Walk outs” are common. There is a lack of charity among leaders in handling conflicts with a lack of concern as to the effect it will have on others. This culture among the leaders has without fail, penetrated or reinforced the lives of participants at Prayer Meetings and the Church in general, that forgiveness and reconciliation are idealistic and not a requisite to Christian living. Lacking in the grace to forgive has seen many ‘good' leaders leave prayer groups or ministry and the Church.

These weaknesses are no more seen as blemishes as mentioned at the 2003 CCR convention by Fr. Gino. They are becoming sore areas,turning ‘gangrene'. To prevent any worsening, CCR Rallies and conventions have been ‘put on hold' in the Kuala Lumpur Arch-Diocese and the Penang Diocese so as to adequately form leaders to lead Prayer Groups and recapture the Vision of the CCR, in order to lead the faithful to Christian maturity.

Unlike the K.L Arch-diocese and the Penang diocese the recent Rally in the Melaka/Johor Diocese conducted in November 2007 is bearing good fruit. It has revived dying prayer groups and “rekindled the fire”. Leadership formation programmes have already been planned for 2008 and 2009 in the diocese for all 4 language groups and the youth.

Apart from the weakness of the laity I have witnessed:

(i) Potshots taken at the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Very often camouflaged as a concern.

(ii) Prayer groups being told to limit the use of charisms

(iii) Prayer Groups shut down by Parish priest without consultation with the Diocesan Service Team of the CCR, contradicting Christifidelis Laici (Christ faithful people) no 29. ( “As long as the proper relationship is kept to Church authority, the lay faithful have the right to found and run such associations and to join those already existing”). Many of the clergy lack in the proper understanding of the role of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and how to nurture it.

My witness is not to blame or shame. Neither is it to bias or prejudice any one. It is also not speculative. For I have also witnessed the CCR bearing good fruits and the supportive role of the clergy in promoting the CCR. My witnessing calls for a Christian maturity. If Faith is not experienced, religion is ‘dead' and becomes another ‘social norm' that one inherits. We need to be continually listening to what God's Spirit is saying to the Malaysian CCR regarding the restoration of Prayer (Acts.2:42-47), the Word of God (2Tim.3:16-17), the Sacraments (CCC 1131-1134) and the use of Charisms to build our Christian Communities (1Cor.12: 4-11), so as to live our faith as the early Christian Communities did and to BEAR WITNESS TO CHRIST through this WAY OF LIFE.

" The local Churches and movements are not in opposition to one another, but constitute the living structure of the Church." Pope Benedict XVI.

Serving you,

Gerry Pereira