Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope: The Ecclesial Movements are Gifts for the Whole Church

12/24/2009
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

'It is no longer possible to think of the life of the Church of our time without including these gifts of God within it.' (Pope Benedict XVI)


'The charismatic movement, Communion and Liberation and the Neocatechumenal Way have many reasons to be grateful to you' the Pope said to Cardinal Cordes in a letter in which he once again affirmed the role of these movements in the life and work of the Church.

VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) - Benedict XVI is praising a cardinal who welcomed the inspiration of new movements in the Church, and is highlighting the positive contribution they have made.

The Pope affirmed this in a letter he sent last week for the 75th birthday of Cardinal Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

"I no longer remember when we first met," the Pontiff said, as he recalled a long history of friendship with the cardinal, including a shared membership in the German bishops' conference before both were called to serve in the Roman Curia.

"With courage and creativity at the beginning of your work in Rome you opened up new roads to lead young people to Christ," the Holy Father affirmed. "You also made a contribution to the genesis and the growth of the World Youth Days."

He underlined the prelate's "pastoral involvement" and "commitment to the movements" in his role in the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

"The charismatic movement, Communion and Liberation and the Neocatechumenal Way have many reasons to be grateful to you," the Pope said.

"While at the beginning the organizers and planners in the Church had many reservations in regard to the movements," Benedict XVI stated, "you immediately sensed the life that burst forth from them -- the power of the Holy Spirit that gives new paths and in unpredictable ways keeps the Church young."
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 11:09 AM