The latest nod of the Vatican to the Neocatechumenal Way
Just four months ago
Here is our translation of a letter sent by Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Substitute of the Secretariat of State, to Francisco (Kiko) Argüello, initiator of Neocatechumenal Way. Bold is ours.
SECRETARIAT OF STATE
FIRST SECTION GENERAL AFFAIRS
N.40.535
From the Vatican, April 3rd, 2014
Most Esteemed Sir
Sig. Francisco ARGÜELLO
Via di Porta Angelica,15
00193 ROMA
Most Esteemed Sir,
With a respectful letter of the past March 15th, you expressed to the Holy Father your grave apprehension because some people interpreted in a negative way towards the Neocatechumenal Way, a quote from the discourse of the past February1st where His Holiness said that, at times, it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community.
I have to assure You that Pope Francis has considered carefully what you explained and wishes to confirm, as he has already expressed in the context of the Audience and of His Speech on February1st, His paternal closeness and his loving encouragement to You and to all adherents to the Way.
The Holy Father does well know the evangelizing dynamism of the Neocatechumenal Way, the experience of authentic conversion of life of so very many faithful, and the fruits of good generated thanks to the presence of the communities all over the world. His Holiness is convinced that the words above mentioned, which aimed to underline the need to safeguard the precious good of ecclesial communion, do not lend themselves to misunderstandings, above all because they are valid for any form of Christian life.
Such words do not in any way modify the Statutes, rather they confirm them: as far as it pertains to the celebrations of the Paschal Vigil and the Sunday Eucharist, mentioned by you, articles 12 and 13, read in their entirety, constitute therefore the legislative charter of reference.
As the Paschal Solemnities approach, Pope Francis assures His closeness and His memory in the Lord and, while he asks to persevere in prayer for His universal ministry, He sends from His heart to You, to the international Team and to all the adherents to the Neocatechumenal Way, His Apostolic Blessing.
With feelings of profound esteem and a heartfelt greeting in the Lord.
We are speaking of the highest authority of the Vatican : The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. It is headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State and performs all the political and diplomatic functions of Vatican City and the Holy See. The Secretariat is divided into two sections, the Section for General Affairs and the Section for Relations with States, known as the First Section and Second Section, respectively. Taken from Wikipedia
We read this already...
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 4:16 p.m.,
DeleteYes, I know, but this time, our interpretation is in there so you can understand how we interpret a positive letter that was given to Kiko in response to his letter to the Pope.
From Italian to English, a letter that is not TAINTED!
DeleteLooking at the parts you didn't bold....
ReplyDelete"With a respectful letter of the past March 15th, you expressed to the Holy Father your grave apprehension because some people interpreted in a negative way towards the Neocatechumenal Way, a quote from the discourse of the past February1st where His Holiness said that, at times, it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community."
"His Holiness is convinced that the words above mentioned, which aimed to underline the need to safeguard the precious good of ecclesial communion, do not lend themselves to misunderstandings, above all because they are valid for any form of Christian life."
Dear Anonymous at 5:03 pm,
DeleteIt was Kiko who wrote a letter to the Pope expressing his concern because some people misinterpreted what the Pope said. This letter to Kiko is a positive, confirming that he approves of the NCW celebration. His words on Feb. 1st does not mean that the celebration should be stopped as some people interpreted it to mean.
His Holiness said that, at times, it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community.
DeleteWhat part of this didn't you understand Diana? The Pope says if there's disunity, it is better to RENOUNCE THE WAY in ALL its details to ensure UNITY to form ONE ecclesial community. He is already seeing the division that it's causing so he's saying to join your other Catholic brothers and sisters and BE ONE!
Dear Anonymous at 11:17 pm,
DeleteThis is exactly why Kiko wrote to the Pope...because some people interpret the Pope's words exactly as you did. As I said, some people interpreted that to mean that the NCW should not celebrate at all. For example, here in Guam, there is disunity.....so people would interpret that to mean that we should renounce the Way and not celebrate.
The Pope meant that we are to follow the Bishop. If the Bishop is against the Way, then we would not have our celebration, just as they do in Japan. The NCW in Japan exists, but they are only allowed to have the celebration of the Word. They do not have the Saturday evening Eucharist and thus join everyone in the parish Mass. So, the NCW has been obedient in Japan and in other places where the Bishop does not support the NCW. This is what the Pope meant.
On Guam, there is disunity, but not with the Archbishop. We are in communion with the Archbishop and Pope; therefore, in Guam we celebrate. However, some people interpret this to mean that we should not hold our celebrations due to this disunity. The disunity is only with Tim Rohr and his disciples. Catholics are not called to have unity with Tim Rohr. We are called to have unity with our Archbishop.
Diana in the beginning in the 1970 S, the Bishop of Japan ask for the neocatechumenal way not the other way around. When only people complained. That Bishop is deceased and Tim Rohr would like to mirror that.
Delete1:01,
ReplyDeleteSure they asked in the beginning, but the found out the truth and wanted them out.
Yes and they obeyed! Like what Diana say they're not in communion with the Bishop so therefore they Obeyed. Big diffrence. Do you see any Neocathecumenal throwing mud at anyone?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 5:20 pm,
DeleteThe Bishop of Japan wanted the NCW expelled from Japan, but the Pope intervened in favor of the NCW. The fact that the NCW obeyed the Bishop of Japan showed that they value unity. The NCW is still in Japan, and if they bring in more Japanese into the Catholic Church through their evangelization, the Bishop of Japan May have a change of heart.
101 anonymous....are you a Japanese Catholic? Their new bishop rejected the Way, not the Japaese Catholics. The japanese priest saw something they could not comprehend. The power of the Holy Spirit. The potential of seminarians who would become priest that could proclaim the Word in Japanese. A threat to their pride the root of evil. Guess what......we are still there anonymous. You may reject Jesus Christ but he never rejects you.
ReplyDeleteWe want an Archbishop who is not beholding to Kiko, Pius, the Genarrinis and all others! We want an Archbishop who is able to Shepherd all flocks without lying!
DeleteDear Anonymous at 7:11 p.m.,
DeleteI think you want an Archbishop that is beholden only to Tim Rohr and followers. It has always been the jungle telling the Archbishop that he should not remove Father Paul and Monsignor James. It has always been the jungle telling the Archbishop that he should defend Father John and not remove him.
Dear Anonymous at 7:11pm,
Delete"We want an Archbishop who is able to Shepherd all flocks without lying!"
First of all, there is only ONE flock. There is only ONE holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. He is a shepherd that cares more for his flock than we will ever truly understand. Has he not served us well all these years? How quickly forget all the good he has done and continues to do for the church here.
And enough of this allusion to the bishop being anybody's puppet. Nobody owns him.
Dear Anonymous at 7:11 p.m.,
DeleteIt appears that the jungle wants an Archbishop that follows the jungle. I notice that it is the jungle who is telling the Archbishop what he should do.
6:28,
ReplyDeleteThe NCW is not Jesus Christ. We reject the NCW, not Jesus Christ. The NCW is not the only way to Jesus. In fact, it's not even close to the best way. The NCW is an exception to help all you lost souls come back to the Mother Church. Well, at least that's what you claim.
Dear Anonymous at 7:28 p.m,
DeleteThe NCW is part of the Catholic Church. One cannot accept only one part of the Catholic Church (such as the Latin Traditionalist while rejecting all others). One must accept the whole Catholic Church. Any rejection of the Catholic Church is a rejection of Jesus Christ for one cannot separate Christ and His Church because they are one.
The Way is Jesus Christ anonymous.You reject something that you absolutely do not know anything about. It's like just talking about eating cake but in reality never tasted cake before. You are correct though in saying that the Way is not the only way to Christ. It is also correct to say that considering oneself a Catholic is. Its not just a Sunday obligation anonymous.
DeleteFour Points: First, the Pope wanted to CLARIFY AND CORRECT any misunderstanding that may have occurred. He is still in favor of the Way. Second, he acknowledges the fruits of the way and he validates once again the Statues. Third, he reaffirms his closeness to the communities. Lastly, this affirmation from the person of the pope is upheld and re-affirmed by the Secretariat of State, who is in charge of all the diplomatic affairs of the papacy. Therefore, the two highest authorities of the Holy See have said to Kiko and the communities: "courage, we are supporting you!".
ReplyDeleteIt is a fact that both the Pope and the Secretariat of State are fully aware of the rebellion of the Japanese bishops and of other bishops who oppose the Way. Despite all this, the Holy See still offers its support and affirmation to the Neo Catechumenal Way.
Two questions therefore arise:
(a.) Why then would highest officials of the Holy See still offer their fraternal and spiritual support to the Neo Catechumenal Way, despite the opposition of some in the church?
(b.) In light of the on-going argument, whose opinion then should we as Catholics trust? Rohr (the Jungle et. al) or the Pope?
Food for thought.
There was a time when Mary and Joseph looked for days only to find Jesus proclaiming the Word to the pharisees. They were amaze how one so "young" could know scriptures. The pharisees were not offended or mad probably because they thought of him as a "novelty". Different story years later when they rejected the adult Christ and crucified him. Before anyone rejects a charism of the church maybe they should reflect on whether or not they have a infantile faith or an adult faith.
ReplyDelete