The Hierarchy of the Way

The Statutes of the Neocatechumenal Way was approved by the Vatican.  In it, it defines and describes the role of everyone involved.  According to the Statutes (Title 1 Article 2): 

In conformity with the desire of Pope John Paul II: "It is therefore my wish that the brothers in the episcope - together with their presbyters - value and help this work for the new evangelization, so that it may be implemented according to the lines proposed by the initiators, in the spirit of serve to the local ordinary and in communion with him and in the context of the unity of the local Church and the universal Church," the Neocatechuenal Way is implemented in the dioceses:

1. under the jurisdiction, the direction of the diocesan bishop and with the assistance, the guidance of the International Responsible Team of the Way, or the delegated responsible team, as indicated in art. 3, 7th;
2. according "to the lines proposed by its initiators" contained in the present Statue and in the Orientations for the Teams of Catechists. 

In no way is the above saying that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church changed. In no way is the above also putting the Team Catechist above the Archbishop. In the first place, the Statutes was NEVER referring to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, but the opponents of the Way mislead others into thinking that it does.  According to the Statutes, the Way is under the jurisdiction and direction of the Archbishop, and he is assisted and guided by Team Catechists.  The term "direction" in here is understood "as the jurisdiction proper to ordained ministers", while the term "guidance" is understood to mean "as the technical knowledge of the Way according to the lines proposed by the initiators." ( These quotes in blue were taken from the Statutes.) 


The International Responsible Team of the Way is Kiko Arguello, Carmen Hernandez, and Father Mario.  Their role was also clearly spelled out in the Statutes, which was approved by the Vatican.  According to the Statutes, one of Kiko's role defined in the Statutes stated that he is: "to maintain regular relations with the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the dicastery to which the Holy Father has entrusted the responsibility of accompanying the Neocatechumenal Way,  as well as with the other dicasteries of the Holy See within the scope of their respective competence, keeping the Pontifical Council of the Laity informed (Article 1, Article 3).

Just because Kiko (who is part of the International Responsible Team) reports to the Vatican does not mean that Kiko was replacing the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.  Again, this is what the opponents of the Way wants everyone to believe.  The hierarchy of the Catholic Church still remains the same.  In the first place, what was written in the Statutes was never about the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.  I repeat.......the Statues were already approved by the Vatican, and these Statutes have nothing to do with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.  It defines the roles of the International  Responsible Team, the Team Catechists, the Bishop (or Archbishop), the priests, and even the neocatechumens to ensure unity between all those in the Way and unity between the Way and the Holy See.

Those who oppose the Way spread the false rumor that the Way goes against the Pope-Bishop-priest hierarchy of the Catholic Church when in fact, we follow what the Vatican approved in the Statutes.  When Kiko speaks to the Pope or the Vatican, he was never taking the place of the Bishop, but simply following his duty as defined in the Statutes approved by Rome.  And the fact that he reports to the Vatican says more about his obedience to the Pope and the Catholic Church. 

Those who oppose the Way spread the false rumor that we disobey and disrespect the Pope.....but then again, what else can I expect from someone who show no obedience or respect to the Archbishop anyway.  So, no surprise there.