It was the same with Kiko Arguello. He also had a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI regarding how the Way was to receive the Body of Christ. According to Catholic News Agency dated July 5, 2008 (the bold is my emphasis):
Under the old rubrics, members of the Neocatechumenal Way celebrated the Eucharist gathered around large square tables and receive Communion while seated. The new regulations are quite different, with the community celebrating Mass with a separation between the congregation and the altar and communicants receiving the Eucharist standing in their places.
According to Giuseppe Gennarini, this way of receiving Communion sprang from a private meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Kiko Arguello on May 26, 2007. The Holy Father liked the idea of the priest coming to each person with the Eucharist because it shows that Christ comes to you in the person of the priest, Gennarini said.
Private Meeting with the Pope
Was there a transcript or written record of this private meeting between Kiko and the Pope? No. But it is recorded in the news that a private meeting was indeed held between Kiko and the Pope regarding how we are to receive Holy Communion in the Way. Apparently, Kiko gave Giuseppe Gennarini some information of the things that was spoken about, but what else was said in that private meeting was not recorded nor mentioned in the news. Only Kiko and Pope Benedict XVI knows.
After this private meeting was held, a change was made in how the NCW received Eucharist in 2008. It was instructed to all the communities worldwide that we are to receive the Body of Christ with our hands standing up and then sit down. We consume the Body of Christ sitting down. This was the change that was made worldwide. And I remember in 2008 at the Beginning of the Year Retreat, it was said that we are instructed to do it this way. Why? Because this instruction came from Kiko who received the same instruction from Pope Benedict XVI.
Was there a transcript or written record of this private meeting between Kiko and the Pope? No. But it is recorded in the news that a private meeting was indeed held between Kiko and the Pope regarding how we are to receive Holy Communion in the Way. Apparently, Kiko gave Giuseppe Gennarini some information of the things that was spoken about, but what else was said in that private meeting was not recorded nor mentioned in the news. Only Kiko and Pope Benedict XVI knows.
After this private meeting was held, a change was made in how the NCW received Eucharist in 2008. It was instructed to all the communities worldwide that we are to receive the Body of Christ with our hands standing up and then sit down. We consume the Body of Christ sitting down. This was the change that was made worldwide. And I remember in 2008 at the Beginning of the Year Retreat, it was said that we are instructed to do it this way. Why? Because this instruction came from Kiko who received the same instruction from Pope Benedict XVI.
If this was an instruction of receiving communion from then Pope Benedict XVI, then why wasn't it mandated for ALL CATHOLICS to receive communion in this manner?
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 11:01 pm,
DeleteBecause ALL CATHOLICS are NOT members of the Neocatechemenal Way.
Sorry Diana but it's still very fishy... "secret" instructions made in "private" meetings? Why is that? And who is Gennarini?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 9:44 am,
DeleteAre you saying that the Pope does not have any private meetings? A private audience such as the one the Archbishop requested is a private meeting. In fact, the Pope has private meetings with individuals all the time. And when the Pope gives an ORAL directive to those individuals, it is to be obeyed. Surely, you are not going to tell the Pope that you will only obey if he writes it down on paper.
At Eucharist last night, we were blessed to have a person who attended a NCW celebration for the first time.
ReplyDeleteAlthough raised as a Catholic and went to mass all his life, he shared with me afterwards that he did not understand a few things but he nonetheless felt "truly" alive during the entire celebration.
His eyes I believe said it all.....Nothing further could be spoken .... no words can describe or equal the happiness this brother was experiencing. I did not want to steal Gods gift to this person.
I choose to be in the Way.......a grace....a freedom that comes through his will. I can only pray that others can experience the spirit.
What I do not understand is why people would bother to comment on how this brother and I chose to follow God.
This person and I had a meeting with God last night......we are nobody.....but he met with us.
Dear Diana, what about this section of the CNA report?
ReplyDelete""The new regulations are quite different, with the community celebrating Mass with a separation between the congregation and the altar"
Is this what you do?
Dear Anonymous at 11:50 am,
DeleteIf I am not mistaken, I think the separation between the congregation and the altar would be the highriser from which the priest sits.
So, in defense of the manner in which NCW currently receive communion (ie standing for the distribution, then sitting and waiting until distribution is complete, then consuming altogether with the priest who is also sitting) you post this article which quotes Gennarini and refers to this alleged meeting of Kiko with Pope Benedict.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, that nowhere in this article, including Gennarini's comments is there any mention or reference to the "sitting" part, or for that matter, the simultaneous consumption of the Eucharist.
Taking Gennarini's comments on face value, one would be forgiven for thinking that the meeting was in relation to whether or not the neocatechumens should process to the altar for communion or remain in their place - not whether they are permitted to sit to consume, nor whether permission is given for the simultaneous consumption
Dear Anonymous at 1:42 pm,
DeleteThis post is to show that a private meeting was held between Kiko and the Pope regarding how we are to receive Holy Communion. We have been telling you that how we receive Holy Communion came from Kiko who received the instruction from the Pope. These instructions came as a result of that private meeting.
Let's have a look at the objectives of Concerned Catholics about the Neocatechumenal Way:
ReplyDelete"Review the practices of the NeoCatechumenal Way to determine if they are in compliance with their statutes and the precepts of the Roman Catholic Church."
This single objective reveals ill will rather than good will at the bottom of the intention of Concerned Catholics. This group has never been assigned or trusted with the task of determination that solely belongs to official Church bodies. Therefore this objective of Concerned Catholics is an obvious attempt to usurp the authority of the Catholic Church.
Also, this objective is an interference with the faith life of members of the Neocatechumenal Way and thus is considered unfriendly. If Concerned Catholics truly want to have a dialogue with the Way, then they'd do better to distance themselves from the savage attitude of the JungleWatch blog and refrain from interfering with the Way's faith life.
"Glory to God in the highest and
Peace to people of good will on Earth."
Dear Zoltan, in February Pope Francis said the following to the Neocatechumenal Way:
ReplyDelete"The first is to have the utmost care to build and to preserve the communion within the particular Churches in which you will work.........Communion is essential; sometimes it can be better to renounce living in all the details that your itinerary demands, in order to ensure the unity among those who form one ecclesial community, of which you must always feel that you are part."
It is clear that the unity of the local Church of Guam is in disunity, particularly regarding some aspects of the NCW.
And, if the NCW is truly in communion with the Pope, and the NCW listens to the Pope (as you all claim), why does the NCW locally not "renounce living in all the details that your itinerary demands, in order to ensure the unity" of the local Church?
For example, why does the NCW continue to insist upon receiving communion in the NCW manner, rather than, for the sake of unity, giving up this particular detail? If, as is claimed by the NCW, it really isn't that different to the "normal" way, and is still consistent with the abiding teaching of the Church, why not alter that particular aspect?
If, on the other hand, the NCW (and you personally) would reject that suggestion, please tell us why it would be so essential to continue to receive in this divisive and contentious way?
Dear Anonymous at 4:04 pm,
DeleteThe NCW is in communion with the Church because we are obedient to the Archbishop. Pope Francis meant to be in communion with Bishops. It is those who oppose the Archbishop who is not in communion with the Church.
Dear Diana, you didn't answer the questions at all. Why not take the Pope's advice?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 4:36 pm,
DeleteThe NCW did take the Pope's advice. As you know, the Bishops in Japan do not want the NCW to have their Eucharist, and the NCW in Japan was obedient. They followed the Bishops in Japan for the sake of unity. If the Archbishop of Guam were to tell us not to have the Eucharist, we would obey for the sake of unity. Our unity is with the Pope and Archbishop. Who are you in communion of???
Dear 4:04 pm, I can tell you the answer if you tell your name, be it alias or real.
Delete