A challenge for the Churches

Mind-boggling figures: according to scholars, since the year 2000 charismatic and Pentecostal movements have increased by 19 million annually worldwide. According to the U.S. Research Centre on "the Study of Christianity in the world" in the year 2000 as many as 582 million people belonged to Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Figures are expected to reach 800 million while by 2050 Pentecostals could equal the number of Hindus in the world. Moreover, the Pentecostal movement originated at the end of the 19th century has become the most successful religious and/or social movement of the 20th century. The figures were presented by Philip Jenkins, from "Baylor University", a major expert in this field, in a keynote speech delivered in Rome during an international symposium on new religious movements, promoted by the German Bishops’ Conference (April 9-11). The three-day meeting was attended by Vatican dignitaries, members of national bishops’ conferences, and scholars. The purpose of the meeting was to tackle the phenomenon whilst proposing guidelines for pastoral action to local Churches. Maria Chiara Biagioni reported on the meeting for SIR Europe. The reasons for a success. The research presented by Jenkins seeks to identify the underlying reasons for the phenomenon of pentacostalism, whose global success is to be sought starting with world demographic contexts. Considering the demographic growth of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Europe is undergoing a rapid decline. The new religious movements find fertile grounds in the peripheries of large urban centres, where millions of migrants have moved to from urban areas. Their living conditions are marked by extreme poverty and by a "strong feeling of alienation", thus the new movements provide welcome, support and spiritual guidance. The phenomenon is widespread in the Brazilian slums and it explains the success of an evangelical movement named "Renascer em Cristo", which every year, in the month of April brings together 2-3 million people for the "March for Jesus". There ensues that in tackling these realities it cannot be ignored that the support provided by the new religious movements is a fundamental trait. Moreover, they act as a "family" whose members "mutually support one another to overcome the difficulties caused by poverty". The aspect of "miracles" and "healings" also play a crucial role, especially in those environments whereby poverty leads to diseases, hunger, pollution, drug-addiction and prostitution. "In such contexts people are easily led to believe that they are the victims of demonic forces and that they can only be saved through divine intervention", Jenkins said. A phenomenon "insufficiently taken into account". The president of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of Christian Unity Kurt Koch, thus describes to SIR Europe the situation of new religious, Pentecostal and evangelical movements. "This phenomenon shows that a great transformation is under way in the ecumenical landscape and that new partners are entering the dialogue milieu". Cardinal Koch commented on the possibility of establishing dialogue with such a complex realm. He said: "We can’t have a dialogue only with those who express the wish of establishing a dialogue". His Eminence pointed out that "some Pentecostal movements describe themselves as "anti-Catholic" and "anti-ecumenical". In such cases the path of dialogue takes place at national and local level alike. "This phenomenon must be taken into due account – the Cardinal reiterated -. I believe that this is the major challenge, which raises a question: what should be done? Why are the Catholic and Protestant faithful going adrift? It’s a major question, and a great challenge for us too". People leave for various reasons". But it’s important to know these reasons and delve into "the reality of Christianity and of the Catholic Church in those countries". Which pastoral actions do these movements suggest? "First of all a new missionary zeal, but mission requires a deep religious belief, that must be simple, true, good and beautiful", concluded the President of the Pontifical Council.