A Global Charismatic Gathering @ the Vatican with Concerted Prayer for Christian Unity

Pope Francis greeted tens of thousands of members of the charismatic movement last Friday, July 3, who were in Rome for their 38th annual Convocation. They gathered in St Peter’s Square for an evening of prayer, spirituality, and evangelization. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Israeli singer Noa were among the singers who performed. The most amazing and moving part of the evening may have been the singing of the world’s best known hymn: “Amazing Grace.”

This global gathering event had a distinctly ecumenical character. The theme was: “Ways of Unity and Peace – Voices of Prayer for the Martyrs of Today and for a Spiritual Ecumenism.” No theme is closer to my own heart so I took notice of this event and rejoiced. When I watched the singing of the great hymn I was melted to tears of joy. I watched Pope Francis and prayed for him with renewed determination to do all I can to support him as my brother in Christ.

Representatives from the churches of many denominations and ecclesial communities were present for this great meeting with Pope Francis, all openly testifying to “the power of ecumenical prayer and the need for a new fraternity among Christians.” In his prayer at the beginning of the Audience, Pope Francis prayed that God the Father might send the Holy Spirit, Who will guide us to unity. It is the Holy Spirit, said Francis, who gives the various charisms’ within the Church, who works through the variety of gifts in the Church, and who grants us real unity. Pope Francis asked that Jesus, who prayed for unity in His Church, might help us to walk along the path of “unity, or of reconciled diversity.” I cannot pray and express my passion more clearly then this.

The pope’s address included what have been called “off-the-cuff” remarks that reminded the members of the Renewal of the Holy Spirit of the words of Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens, who called the charismatic renewal a “stream of grace.” Suenens, who is featured in my book, Your Church Is Too Small, was one of the great leaders at Vatican II. The current of grace, said Pope Francis, must always flow into the ocean of God, the love of God, and must not be turned in on itself. This is really the theme of the book I am writing at this very time in my life.

Pope Francis also spoke about “unity in diversity,” another favorite theme God has given to me. He noted that unity is not uniformity but reflects the confluence of all the different parts that go to make it up.

He warned of the temptation of leaders – or rather, servants – to imagine that they are indispensable, a temptation that can lead to authoritarianism or personalism, which “does not allow the renewed communities to live in the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit, Pope Francis exclaimed, is the only indispensable actor in the renewal, just as Jesus is the one Lord. At the same time he spoke of good founders who lead the communities they found, caring for them and leading them to spiritual maturity.

The pope also gave thanks for the “current of grace” which has borne much fruit. He encouraged those who have had the experience of the renewal “to go forward,