Michael Brooks
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, also known as CCR, is a movement within the Catholic Church that began in 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, when two Catholics, Ralph Keifer and a law student named Storey (first name unknown), were baptised in the Holy Spirit at an Episcopalian prayer meeting. The movement soon spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan, where students experienced a similar baptism in the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and formed prayer groups. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is characterised by a renewed emphasis on the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, and healing. Ecumenical covenant communities arose within the movement, bringing together Catholics and other Christian denominations such as Lutherans and Anglicans. While the Catholic hierarchy was initially reticent, the movement gained legitimacy over time, with Pope Paul VI officially welcoming Catholic charismatics in 1975 and Pope John Paul II calling it a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church in 1992.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year it started | 1967 |
| Location | Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Initiators | Storey and Keifer |
| Type of movement | Grassroots |
| Nature | Ecumenical |
| Theological basis | Saint Paul's writings, Acts 1:4,5, Acts 2:4–11, Isaiah 11:1–2, Isaiah 11:2-3 |
| Charismatic gifts | Faith, expression of knowledge, expression of wisdom, miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, discernment of spirits, healing |
| Number of adherents | 9 million in the US, 150 million worldwide |
| Official recognition | 1975 |
| Notable proponents | Pope John Paul II, Pope Leo XIII |
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What You'll Learn
The Duquesne Weekend
At the retreat, more students asked one of the professors, Keifer, to pray over them. They too received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, as did many other students present in the chapel. Keifer sent news of this event to the University of Notre Dame, where a similar occurrence took place, and the Renewal began to spread.
The students involved described themselves as "literally [stumbling] into charismatic gifts like prophecy, discernment of spirits, and healing." One student said, "I no longer have to believe in Pentecost; I have seen it!"
The event became known as the Duquesne Weekend and is considered the starting point of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement. The movement is characterised by a belief in the nine charismatic gifts, including faith, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, and healing. The movement has spread internationally, with the earliest growth found in England in 1969 and in Australia, India, Brazil, and Nigeria in the early 1970s.
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Pope Paul VI's endorsement
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) movement began in February 1967 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when two Catholics, Storey and Keifer, were baptised in the Holy Spirit at an Episcopalian prayer meeting. The following week, Keifer laid hands on other Duquesne professors, and they also experienced the Spirit. The movement soon spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan, where more people had similar experiences with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.
While the Catholic hierarchy was initially reticent about these developments, Pope Paul VI officially welcomed Catholic charismatics in 1975. This endorsement was a significant turning point for the movement. Pope Paul VI's support legitimised the movement within the Catholic Church, and it is likely that his endorsement encouraged more Catholics to explore the Charismatic Renewal path.
The Pope's endorsement also helped to establish and solidify the various organisational forms that the movement began to take, such as the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee (CCRSC) and other outreach attempts like the Notre Dame Conferences. The movement began to take on more structured forms, with the formation of prayer groups, covenant communities, and eventually, conferences and gatherings at the local, national, and international levels.
The endorsement by Pope Paul VI also likely played a role in the international development of the movement. The earliest international growth of Catholic Charismatic Renewal was seen in England in 1969 and in Australia, India, Brazil, and Nigeria in the early 1970s. This spread was facilitated by missionary priests who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the United States and brought these experiences back to their home countries.
In addition, the endorsement may have influenced the establishment of the first International Communications Office (ICO) in Ann Arbor in 1972 to facilitate communication between different expressions of charismatic renewal within the Catholic Church worldwide. This office was later transferred to Rome in 1981 and to the Vatican in 1985, further emphasising the movement's legitimacy and global reach.
Overall, Pope Paul VI's endorsement played a crucial role in the development and expansion of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement, helping to solidify its presence within the Catholic Church and contributing to its growth and influence on a global scale.
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Ecumenical covenant communities
The emergence of ecumenical covenant communities within the CCR reflects the movement's ecumenical nature and its potential to foster unity among different Christian traditions. The CCR has been described as a "current of grace" and a "renewing breath of the Spirit" by Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens, who recognised its capacity to revitalise the Church. The ecumenical dimension of the CCR is not accidental but inherent, as evidenced by its origins in the late 1960s when Catholics and Christians from other ecclesial communities worldwide experienced a simultaneous renewal of baptism in the Spirit.
The success of ecumenical endeavours within the CCR is attributed to the mutual respect and recognition of faith among leaders of various Christian traditions, including Catholic Charismatics, evangelical, Pentecostal, and non-denominational Protestants. This foundation of solid personal relationships has facilitated the expansion of the CCR internationally, particularly through missionary priests who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the United States and established similar initiatives in their home countries.
The formation of covenant communities and their ecumenical nature have contributed significantly to the growth and influence of the CCR. These communities have provided a framework for adherents to deepen their spiritual commitment and build relationships with Christians from diverse denominations. The ecumenical covenant communities serve as a tangible manifestation of the CCR's pursuit of unity and its endeavour to revitalise the Catholic Church and Christian communities worldwide.
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Charismatic gifts
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a movement within the Catholic Church that began in 1967 at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. Two Catholics, Storey and Keifer, were baptised in the Holy Spirit at an Episcopalian prayer meeting, and soon other professors and students at Duquesne University received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The movement quickly spread to other universities, including the University of Notre Dame, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan, where adherents formed prayer groups and covenant communities.
A central concept in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is the experience of "baptism in the Holy Spirit", which refers to an individual receiving a personal experience of the power of God, as described in Acts 2:4-11. This is often accompanied by the gift of speaking in tongues, prophecy, miracles, and healing. These charismatic gifts are seen as a renewal of the traditional seven gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Isaiah 11:1-2 and the nine charismatic gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has been described as an ecumenical grace for the Church, bringing Catholics and Protestants together and building relationships across denominations. The movement has emphasised the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus, a deeper knowledge of the Catholic faith, and the use of the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit. While the Catholic hierarchy was initially reticent about these developments, Pope Paul VI officially welcomed Catholic charismatics in 1975, and Pope John Paul II called the Renewal a "gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church" in 1992.
The charismatic gifts are seen as a way to bring about a personal conversion and Church renewal, with people gathering in prayer groups and communities to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. While the movement has diverse expressions of prayer and missions, it is united by its fidelity to the Church's leadership in Rome and dioceses globally. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a grassroots movement that has spread internationally, with early growth in England, Australia, India, Brazil, and Nigeria.
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International growth
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) movement, which originated in the United States in 1967, soon spread internationally. The earliest international growth was seen in England in 1969, followed by Australia, India, Brazil, and Nigeria in the early 1970s.
The movement's international growth can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, missionary priests who experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit while in the US took their experiences back to their home countries. Secondly, the establishment of covenant communities, such as the Word of God in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and True House and People of Praise in South Bend, Indiana, played a significant role. These communities attracted members from various Christian denominations, fostering ecumenicalism.
To facilitate communication and coordination among the diverse expressions of the CCR worldwide, the first International Communications Office (ICO) was established in Ann Arbor in 1972. This office moved to Malines-Brussels, Belgium, in 1976, and was renamed the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Office (ICCRO) in 1978. Subsequently, it transferred to Rome in 1981 and to the Vatican in 1985. In 1993, the ICCRO gained pontifical recognition and became the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service (ICCRS), emphasizing its pastoral ministry role to the CCR worldwide.
The establishment of the ICCRS was a significant milestone in the international growth of the CCR movement. It provided a centralized body that promoted the movement's expansion and development globally, fostering unity and coordination among diverse CCR communities and groups. The ICCRS also likely facilitated the formation of new CCR communities and groups in different countries, providing resources, support, and guidance to local initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
In February 1967, two Catholics, Storey and Keifer, were baptised in the Holy Spirit at Duquesne University. This event became known as the Duquesne Weekend.
Keifer shared their experience with other professors at Duquesne University, who also received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Keifer then sent news of the event to the University of Notre Dame, where a similar event occurred, and the movement began to spread.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is centred around the belief in the nine charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, including faith, speaking in tongues, miracles, and healing. They also believe in the power of "baptism in the Holy Spirit", which refers to a personal experience of God's power.
The Catholic hierarchy was initially reticent about the movement, but it gradually gained legitimacy. In 1975, Pope Paul VI officially welcomed Catholic charismatics, and in 1992, Pope John Paul II called the Renewal a "gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church".
The movement led to the formation of prayer groups and covenant communities within the Catholic Church. It also had an international impact, with early growth in England, Australia, India, Brazil, and Nigeria. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal helped bring Catholics and Protestants together, fostering mutual respect and unity.
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