Friday, August 30, 2013

The Process Of Catholic Renewal

By Amanda Baird


Catholic renewal is a term that describes the defining changes that were experienced in the Roman Catholic Church especially from the Twentieth Century onwards. The change involved pivotal individuals and church decisions with a permanent effect. Some had began early but exploded at this time. They caused a dramatic turn of events that would change the future of a church that was regarded as conservative.

Three areas were the genesis of this change and opened up the church for a revival. One issue was the position of the bible among Catholics. It was translated, not from the Latin vulgate as before, but from the original text. This gave more people an opportunity to access information that was previously held by the clergy. The hierarchy in within the Catholic Church lost control over information.

There was a drastic shift in the liturgy with introduction of new practices and participants. Lay men became more involved in liturgy as the mass was celebrated in contemporary languages. This gave more people access to the powers and liturgical privileges that were only enjoyed by priests. Liturgical celebrations opened doors to more persons contrary to traditions that had been sustained for years.

Another aspect of the renewal was departure from legal and formal approach to Christian life and movement towards individual catechism. The church emphasized the need for individuals to have a personal experience with Christ. This was unlike the generalized approach that set rules and laws that were too stringent at times. This heralded a change and manifestation of uniqueness at personal and community level.

Pius the Twelfth is regarded as the pope who accelerated the wind of change. This was through an encyclical called Divino Afflante Spiritu that opened up this church to change. Translating the bible from the original manuscript had the consequence of introducing freedom in interpretation. The Second Vatican Council would create more room through such documents as Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation.

Revival would pick pace after the Second Vatican Council allowed more freedoms within the hierarchy. It was decided that the bible should be translated in all mother tongues possible in order to reach more people. Information that was exclusively available to the clergy and those who knew traditional church languages was now available to the masses. This placed the bible at the center of Christian life.

Many other documents would arise from the deliberations of the Second Vatican Council. They gradually and permanently altered the destiny of Catholic faith. There was increased attention of the role of catechism among the faithful. Some dioceses and parishes picked up prophesy, faith healing and worship outside mass. The charismatic renewal thus gained roots.

The results of Catholic renewal have seen unity within the church face a major challenge. Charismatism is considered a misinterpretation of scripture in some quotas. Others view it as return to the early church that had mystical powers attributed to gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is increasing uniqueness as one moves across dioceses. This dynamism is one challenge the papacy has to confront.




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