'Neocatechumenal Way' Approved by Holy See

5/24/2008
Neocatechumenal Way (www.camminoneocatecumenale.it/en/statuti4.asp)

This unique movement, controversial to some, was given a unique canonical status, reaffirming the vital role of the ecclesial movements in the Church.

ROME (Neocatechumenal Way) - After more than five years of work, the Holy See has approved the Statutes of the Neocatechumenal Way, thus confirming the praxis in more than 105 nations for over thirty years.

The decree of approval, dated the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, was solemnly consigned on June 28 to the initiators of the way, Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez together with Father Mario Pezzi, by Cardinal Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Dicastery entrusted by the Holy Father with the task of guiding the preparation of the statute.

The Neocatechumenal Way has not been approved as an association, a movement or a religious congregation, but, respecting and confirming the intention of the initiators, as an itinerary of Christian initiation for the rediscovery of baptism, that is, a post-baptismal catechumenate (see Statutes, article 1) at the service of the dioceses and parishes.

To underline the ecclesial value and importance of this act, the approval of the Statutes of the Way has been the fruit of a joint effort of some five dicasteries: the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Divine Worship, the Congregation for the Clergy and Catechesis and the Congregation for Catholic Education.

It is an act of great importance since it concerns the first post-baptismal catechumenate recognized officially by the Catholic Church.

This approval formalizes and specifies more precisely the recognition already given in 1990 by the Holy Father, who then recognized the way as an "itinerary of Catholic formation valid for society and for these times".

The work of preparation was drawn out over a long period since the juridical entities most commonly used by the Code of Canon Law are those of association or foundation, which do not correspond to the nature of the Neocatechumenal Way.

Since it is Christian Initiation, the Way in fact is at the service of the dioceses and parish priests and is not constituted as an autonomous entity.

The statute is composed of 35 articles. The first article expresses the nature of the Way and a description is given of the 4 spiritual goods which constitute the Neocatechumenal Way.

These are:

1. the Neocatechumenate or post-baptismal catechumenate, see Title II;

2. the catechumenate for non baptized as per the indications of the RCIA, see Title IV;

3. the ongoing formation of the communities which continue in the parish after having completed the Neocatechumenate, see Title III;

4. the service of catechesis, such as, for example, the return to the primitive schema of evangelization by means of itinerant teams willing to go to the ends of the earth on the basis of the mandate of their baptism, see Title V.

In the second article, the forms of operation of the Way are established: it operates in the dioceses "under the direction of the bishop" (see art. 2,1�) and "according to �the guidelines proposed by the initiators�" (see art. 2, 2�); the subject who promotes Christian initiation is obviously the bishop (see art. 26), to whom, however, is offered an instrument approved by the Holy See and configured in accordance with the indications of the statute.

Finally, in the last articles the processes foreseen for the succession of the team of initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way are specified.

The statutes deal with a formulation foreseen by the codes, but which is new and very courageous.

In a world ever more distant from Christianity and torn between secularization and forms of fundamentalism, with this act the Holy See courageously underlines the urgent necessity for the baptized to rediscover the roots of their faith and, in the face of the general dechristianization of modern society, it offers an instrument for the re-evangelization of modern man.

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 10 of 22 Comments

Jude. S
3 months ago
Peace Brothers

My name is Jude of Christ the King parish Uganda. God has done marvels with me in the way as i continue to rediscover my self day by day how sinful i am and how he is helping me change.

Brother Opolot, of Ggaba seminary, Just come to Christ the king parish Kampala on Saturday evening and ask for neo catechuminal way you will find us.

Peace of Christ and see you in Rio de jeneiro
zaldy alcantara
3 months ago
i think in california there are a lots of neo catechumenal communities. please ask to your bishop what parish have this communities can be found so also he may aware and might think that there are a lot of people asking the way in his diocese and he open it for those who are very much interested in following the Lord.
zaldy m. alcantara
1 year ago
Peace, i'm zaldy in the 1st community of holy infant jesus parish in isabel, leyte, philippines. i'm walking in the way for 20years in stage of our father. Before entering the way my life was so sad even if i'm working in the parish so hard but still at the end of the day i am not happy there a felt of emptiness in my heart. upon joining in this way for early stage i am happy but i don't know anything if you asked about what is this way i really don't understand but still i continue to walked. in this community i found myself that i am very proud person that's why i am not happy very judgmental person. upon the catechesis only the lord can love me as worst as a prodigal son i'm good but always judging my father, mother etc. yet serving in the church as layminister only a lip service empty faith that i have. thanks be to God that he brought me in the way...
Mrs. Clara Rangel
1 year ago
I am interested in getting the catechesis on Initiation to Prayers. How do I go about getting this.Appreciate your help and God Bless.
D.J.Bakianathan
1 year ago
Hi, I am living in Chennai and I am very much interested in the Neo Catechumenal if it exists in Chennai.Can somebody give me the details, please .? Thanks and God Bless
pedro
1 year ago
i m looking for community in las vegas ,,,,, if some people kwon something can please let me kwon im from nicaragua and i move to usa ,,,, now i would like to come back to the catechumenal way in this country i live on vegas ,,,,,,,,, i just want information if we hace on vegas,,,,,
melanie
2 years ago
i am a neo catechumenate before but i left because i began to embrace what the world can offer... i even left my family... but when my mother started to look for me.... everything changed.......she showed me how beautiful life is ...she showed me how lovely it is to be with my family.. she showed me how to forgive and forget.. she showed me how God loves me..... now, i want to go back but.......... \;-(
Thomas Opolot
2 years ago
Dear Sir/madam/Rev.,

I greet you in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. I am a seminarian pursuing my studies in St. Mary's National Seminary Ggaba, P.O.Box 1871, Kampala, Uganda. I am actually doing theology now and in my 2nd year.

I have always heard about the neocatechumenate way. I really need to learn more about it. I have an interest in joining this movement. i suppose it is called a movement. Could you please help realize my dream of being a member in this movement. I look forward to reading from you soon.

I am yours in Christ,

Thomas.
jimmy a. badilla
2 years ago
to joseph vietvu: i am touched to know of your sincere desire to join the way. but frankly i don't know how to advise you with regards to where you could join the way from where you are :( however i believe god will make a way somehow. you can have a copy of the statute if you are already a catechumenate. god be praised forever!
Joseph Vietvu
2 years ago
I am very interested in knowing, in studying about the NeoCatechumenal Way so I can be engaged in this New Evangelization. How can I get the Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way and the Catechetical Directory of the Neocatechumenal Way , (the latest edition in English), and how can I contact with some Comunities of the Neocatechumenal Way in California USA, . Please help me, Thank You very much. God bless You.i
Best Regards,
Joseph Vietvu

Prev12 3 Next

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment