About CNSC
Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR)
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is part of an Ecumenical Current of Grace. It was born
by the sovereign will of God in the Catholic Church in 1967 and emerged as a fruit of the second
Vatican Council. In India, CCR came into being in 1972.
Today it is estimated that there are more than 120 million people worldwide who will testify to a life changing experience of the Holy Spirit through their contact with the CCR. However, this grace of the Holy Spirit with a worldwide character and many expressions is not a single unified movement. It does not have a founder or founding group but is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. It is a current of grace that allows individual groups, communities, activities and ministries to express themselves in different ways with different forms of organisation.
One of the characteristics of CCR is the wide variety of expressions, communities and ministries that form ‘unity in diversity’. The various expressions and realities in CCR may be at different stages of development with differing emphasis. Nevertheless, they share in the same fundamental experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit and espouse the same general goals.
Generally, CCR focuses on relationships and networks rather than rigid structures. Therefore, patterns of informal relationships can be found at local, regional, national and international levels. These relationships are often characterized by free association, dialogue and cooperation. The nature of leadership in CCR is characterized by service rather than governance that demands obedience and conformity.
In 1972, the first International Communications Office (ICO) was established in Ann Arbor, USA in order to facilitate communication between the various Charismatic Realities which were rapidly emerging in the Catholic Church worldwide. Then in 1976, the ICO was transferred from USA to Malines-Brussels and the ICCRO (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office) was opened in 1978. This office was then moved to Rome in 1981. Then in 1985 at the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Paul VI, the ICCRO was established in the Vatican. In 1990, a network of CCR international covenant communities was recognized at Pontifical level as a private association of the faithful, under the name of `Catholic Fraternity of Covenant Communities and Fellowships’. Its mission was to consolidate the bonds of these communities to the Catholic Church and to encourage evangelization.
Today it is estimated that there are more than 120 million people worldwide who will testify to a life changing experience of the Holy Spirit through their contact with the CCR. However, this grace of the Holy Spirit with a worldwide character and many expressions is not a single unified movement. It does not have a founder or founding group but is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. It is a current of grace that allows individual groups, communities, activities and ministries to express themselves in different ways with different forms of organisation.
One of the characteristics of CCR is the wide variety of expressions, communities and ministries that form ‘unity in diversity’. The various expressions and realities in CCR may be at different stages of development with differing emphasis. Nevertheless, they share in the same fundamental experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit and espouse the same general goals.
Generally, CCR focuses on relationships and networks rather than rigid structures. Therefore, patterns of informal relationships can be found at local, regional, national and international levels. These relationships are often characterized by free association, dialogue and cooperation. The nature of leadership in CCR is characterized by service rather than governance that demands obedience and conformity.
In 1972, the first International Communications Office (ICO) was established in Ann Arbor, USA in order to facilitate communication between the various Charismatic Realities which were rapidly emerging in the Catholic Church worldwide. Then in 1976, the ICO was transferred from USA to Malines-Brussels and the ICCRO (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office) was opened in 1978. This office was then moved to Rome in 1981. Then in 1985 at the invitation of the Holy Father Pope Paul VI, the ICCRO was established in the Vatican. In 1990, a network of CCR international covenant communities was recognized at Pontifical level as a private association of the faithful, under the name of `Catholic Fraternity of Covenant Communities and Fellowships’. Its mission was to consolidate the bonds of these communities to the Catholic Church and to encourage evangelization.
In 1993 the Pontifical Council for the Laity granted Pontifical recognition to ICCRO, approving
its Statutes as an international organism of service. The name changed from ICCRO to ICCRS
(International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services), thus emphasizing that it was a pastoral
ministry / service to the CCR worldwide rather than merely an administrative office.
For many years ICCRS and the Catholic Fraternity worked together presenting seminars on various topics specific to Charismatic Renewal. Together they organized the 50th anniversary of the CCR in Rome at Pentecost 2017. In April 2016, Pope Francis appointed a team to work on the new ‘One Single Service’ and to carry things forward until its realization with the accompaniment of the Pontifical Council of the Laity, Family and Life.
An announcement from the Pontifical Council on 31 st October 2018 said that the Holy See has erected a new body, CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Services) consisting of 18 members for providing a new, single, international service for the needs of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Church. CHARIS has been erected by the Holy See, with Public Juridical personality according to Canons 116-123 of the Code of Canon Law. It is governed by these statutes and, by analogy, by Canons 312-320 of the Code of Canon Law, as well as by the other universal norms of Church law.
Earlier ICCRS was recognized as a body for promotion of the CCR with a juridical personality according to Canon 116 of the Code of Canon Law. However, CHARIS was erected as a public juridical personality as it is a direct initiative of the highest ecclesiastical authority, the Holy Father Pope Francis. Secondly, it has the specific mandate of imparting teachings in relation to and in the service of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
CHARIS is the international service organism for all expressions of the CCR. It promotes and strengthens communion among all charismatic realities, fostering a sense of the worldwide family of Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
For many years ICCRS and the Catholic Fraternity worked together presenting seminars on various topics specific to Charismatic Renewal. Together they organized the 50th anniversary of the CCR in Rome at Pentecost 2017. In April 2016, Pope Francis appointed a team to work on the new ‘One Single Service’ and to carry things forward until its realization with the accompaniment of the Pontifical Council of the Laity, Family and Life.
An announcement from the Pontifical Council on 31 st October 2018 said that the Holy See has erected a new body, CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Services) consisting of 18 members for providing a new, single, international service for the needs of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Church. CHARIS has been erected by the Holy See, with Public Juridical personality according to Canons 116-123 of the Code of Canon Law. It is governed by these statutes and, by analogy, by Canons 312-320 of the Code of Canon Law, as well as by the other universal norms of Church law.
Earlier ICCRS was recognized as a body for promotion of the CCR with a juridical personality according to Canon 116 of the Code of Canon Law. However, CHARIS was erected as a public juridical personality as it is a direct initiative of the highest ecclesiastical authority, the Holy Father Pope Francis. Secondly, it has the specific mandate of imparting teachings in relation to and in the service of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
CHARIS is the international service organism for all expressions of the CCR. It promotes and strengthens communion among all charismatic realities, fostering a sense of the worldwide family of Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
Central Goals of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
01.
To help Catholics experience a `Baptism in the Holy Spirit’, that is a personal experience of the graces of Christian discipleship, namely:- Intense love for and commitment to Jesus as one’s personal Saviour and Lord.
- A child-like trust in God the Father.
- An openness to the guidance and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- A warm commitment to the Body of Christ, the Church.
02.
To help Catholics understand and use the Charismatic gifts which are a source of strength for Christians in the carrying out of their mission and in their pilgrimage towards holiness.03.
To help Catholics discover the beauty and power of prayer, both collective and personal, with special emphasis on the prayer of praise and worship, faith filled intercession and participation in a weekly prayer meeting with fellow believers.04.
To promote evangelization in the power of the Holy Spirit (including re-evangelisation of the baptized, the evangelisation of non-Christians and evangelisation of culture and social structures), by proclaiming the gospel in word and deed, and by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through personal testimony and those works of faith and justice to which each is called.05.
To foster an ongoing growth in holiness through proper integration of these Charismatic emphasis with the full life of the Church, through participation in a rich sacramental and liturgical life, appreciation of the traditions of Catholic prayer and spirituality, ongoing formation in Catholic doctrine and participation in the pastoral plan of the local Church.Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India
These goals and projects that follow from them have marked the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
in individuals, prayer groups, communities, local, diocesan and regional service teams and
ministries. In order to serve the needs for communication, co-operation and co-ordination a
National Charismatic Office (NCO) was started in Mumbai in 1974 and started publishing the
national magazine CHARISINDIA in the same year. In 1977, a National Service Team was
constituted with Fr. Fio Mascarenhas SJ as the Chairman. Archbishop Samineni Arulappa of
Hyderabad agreed to be the Episcopal Advisor to this Team. In 1980, Fr. Gino Henriques CSsR
was elected Chairman of the NST and subsequently in April 1988, the NCO was shifted to
Bangalore. Bishop Valerian D’Souza of Pune succeeded Archbishop S. Arulappa as Episcopal
Advisor to the NST. In 1990, Fr. A. J. Thamburaj SJ was elected Chairman of the NST. In 1993,
Fr. Fio was again elected the NST Chairman while Bishop Gali Bali of Guntur became the
Episcopal Advisor. Mr. Cyril John was the first layman to be elected Chairman of the NST in
2001 while Bishop Valerian D’Souza took up the advisory role for the second time. The National
Charismatic Office was relocated to Delhi in July 2001. Prof Constantine B. Fernandez was
chosen Chairman in 2010 and Fr. Jose Anchanickal in 2013. Bishop Francis Kalist took over as
Episcopal Advisor in 2011. Cyril John was again chosen Chairman of NST in 2016. Joy Antony
was chosen Chairman in 2019. Silven Miranda succeeded him as Coordinator of CNSC in 2022.
In September 1996, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) officially granted
recognition to the National Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (NCCRS) as a National
Catholic Organization with all the privileges and responsibilities of such a body. It also approved
its Statutes, which states that the NCCRS is made up of the National Service Team and the
National Charismatic Office, that the main objectives of the NCCRS are `the service and
promotion of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India’, and the NCCRS serves the Renewal by
being a center of unity, communication and co-operation. Later in 1999, the CBCI accorded full
recognition to NCCRS with the mandate of coordinating all Catholic Charismatic Renewal
activities in India.
In pursuing its goals and objectives NCCRS seeks to offer helpful service to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the country. NCCRS attempts to garner wisdom, insight and experience from around the world and in turn makes it available to the whole country. When NCCRS presents teaching or pastoral advice, issues guidelines, or offers insight training, it does so as a servant body. The relationship between NCCRS and the regional and local expressions of the Renewal in no way limits the relationship between Catholic Charismatic Renewal groups and their local Bishops.
In pursuing its goals and objectives NCCRS seeks to offer helpful service to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the country. NCCRS attempts to garner wisdom, insight and experience from around the world and in turn makes it available to the whole country. When NCCRS presents teaching or pastoral advice, issues guidelines, or offers insight training, it does so as a servant body. The relationship between NCCRS and the regional and local expressions of the Renewal in no way limits the relationship between Catholic Charismatic Renewal groups and their local Bishops.