Semantics

Those against the Way use semantics to divide fellow Catholics.  They would mockingly call the altar of the Neocatechumenal Way a "table."  Walking in the Way, I have never heard any of the brothers call it a "table."  They had always called it an altar.  Nevertheless, those against the Way are not wrong in calling it a table because even the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it a table.....the table of the Lord. 

CCC 1182  The altar of the New Covenant is the Lord's Cross, from which the sacraments of the Paschal mystery flow. On the altar, which is the center of the Church, the sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs.  The altar is also the table of the Lord, to which the People of God are invited.  In certain Eastern liturgies, the altar is also the symbol of the tomb (Christ truly died and is truly risen). 

I wonder what do they have to say about the altar being a tomb?  

Another semantics that they use to divide fellow Catholics is the words "Priest" and "Presbyter."  I have actually used the word "priest" in my general admonition, but no one (not even the priest) ever told me not to say "priest." When I use the word "Presbyter" in the general admonition, they also say nothing.  On the other hand, the opponents of the Way insist that the word "priest" should be used.  

The words "Priest" and "Presbyter" are both used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The Catechism also uses both "priesthood" and "presbyterium." The only different between the two is that one is English and the other is Latin.  

CCC 1530 Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary by the celebrating presbyter himself. 

CCC 1354   In the anamnesis that follows, the Church calls to mind the Passion, resurrection, and glorious return of Christ Jesus; she presents to the Father the offering of his Son which reconciles us with him.  In the intercessions, the Church indicates that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, the living and the dead, and in communion with the pastors of the Church, the Ppoe, the diocesan bishop, his presyterium and his deacons, and all the bishops of the whole world together with their Churches.  

CCC 1547  The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ."......   

The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses both "priest" and "presbyter" as well as "priesthood" and "presyterium".  Those who are against the Way would cite a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship to the President of the NCCB as their evidence to show that the Way is in error in using the word "presbyter."  

In the first place, that letter was a response to a question in 1996.  The U.S. National Conference of Catholic Bishops asked the Holy See for a new English translation for the Rite of Ordination.  In the new English translation, the word "presbyter" was used instead of "priest."  Why did the Holy See reject their request?  Well, common sense already dictates that the word "presbyter" cannot and should not be used as the new English translation simply because the word is not even English.  It's a Latin word.  Doing this would only bring confusion on the Catholic faithful.  

In the Neocatechumenal Way, they know that "Presbyter" is a Latin word and that "Priest" is an English word, and both mean the same thing. Using either one is acceptable in the Way.   

Latin, the language of the Roman Catholic Church, is not the only language the Way is using.  They also sing a few Hebrew words such as, Evalo Shalom (spelling), Shema Israel, and Maranatha.  When the peace song is sung, it is sometimes sung in different languages.  At any rate, one can see how these semantics are designed by the opponent to cause division between Catholics.