A new stage

A seminary “to reflect and dialogue on the reality of Church movements”. With this objective, on May 15-17 the Pontifical Council for the Laity May brought together “a representative group” of over 100 bishops from 53 Countries in Rocca di Papa (Rome). The reflection developed within a rich program of lectures, workshops, plenary debates, and exchange of views between the prelates and persons in charge of the movements. Participants also had a private audience with Benedict XVI. In this interview we asked His Eminence Stanislao Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, to speak of the role of ecclesial movements in Europe. To what extent to European bishops rely on the movements? “Increasingly more. I believe that a reason for this increased trust lies in the fact that we are experiencing a new era and also the movements underwent changes. During the first Pentecost meeting in 1998, John Paul II had asked the movements to commence a new stage of ecclesial maturity. The movements took his words to heart. They established communal relations with one another and developed stronger friendships and cooperation. Also their relationship with the Church as an institution matured, their relationship with bishops in particular. From this angle there has been much progress. However, also bishops and parish priests have changed. There is widespread awareness that today we can’t do without these realities. In a situation marked by the spread of a demotivated and lagging form of Christianity, the Church can benefit from these new resources, representing faith lived with joy and enthusiasm”. What about Eastern Europe?“Today the stark differences between Eastern and Western Europe no longer exist. Globalized culture quickly reaches also Eastern Europe. Indeed we have relations with Countries of the former Soviet Union and we realize that even in these places their contribution to the life of the Church is significant”. Which contributions do the movements transmit to the Church? “Ecclesial movements have two distinctive features: on the one side they spring from the yearning to live the Gospel completely, in an integral manner. This is a constant element and the common denominator of these communal realities. It probably also represents the most surprising trait in a secularized world. It is surprising that in a world marked by widespread religious indifference, these places of faith are created where the Word of God truly becomes life. Another feature is the missionary thrust which shows the richness of present laity. Thanks to these two characteristics, these movements represent marvellous resources since they encourage the ongoing formation of Christian laity and the evangelising mission of the Church. In a number of regions marked by a low number of priests and vocations, this incisive presence of a mature laity with a strong Christian identity is crucial. Is there not the risk that the Church may place on ecclesial movements those expectations and responsibilities which she is unable to meet?“I wouldn’t put it in these terms, since the institution and the charisma do not oppose one another. All – the Church as institution and the Charismatic Church – serve the same evangelising mission and this mission unites them in the common effort of bringing the Gospel to the furthest corners of modern societies. It’s equally true that in the present historical moment, the Holy Spirit is showing us that these charismas are meeting the epochal challenges which the post-modern world sets against the Church. The Church in turn embraces the free gift she is donated by the Spirit”.