Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Understanding The Operations Of Catholic Renewal

By Amanda Baird


The catholic renewal can be described as a wave of change that became more prominent in the Twentieth Century. The phrase is used to denote both the events and processes that were involved in the transformation of the Roman Catholic Church. These events are spread across centuries but became more pronounced in the twentieth century. They involved a number of persons and had a drastic effect on the way the church operated.

There were three main areas that affected the traditions practiced by Catholics. One of them was the prominence given to the bible in the liturgy and the life of practicing catholics. The source of translations changed from vulgate Latin to original manuscripts of the bible. This expanded access to information and took away the monopoly that was enjoyed by the clergy. It was viewed as the church giving away control over information.

Opening up of liturgy direction to lay faithful and introduction of new practices added on to the wind of change. Celebration of mass in native languages and involvement of lay men in previously guarded practices heralded a new era. This was a departure from a tradition that had been held jealously and preserved for the clergy. It was a total break from the past.

Catholics worshiped in a legalistic and formal manner, a trend that still permeated into their daily lives. This would change with the inclusion of an individualistic approach to faith. This called upon the faithful to experience Christ in a more personal way. The previous approach was general and guided by strict rules and regulations. This move saw communities and individuals introduce personal and unique features in their mass celebrations. This is evident from one diocese or community to the other.

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.

The Second Vatican Council extended the freedoms and opened up more avenues for revival. One of the defining decisions that resulted from this conference was the translation of the bible in all possible mother tongues. This meant that faithful had a chance to read on their own and share information that was a preserve of priests. The council also emphasized the role of biblical reflections in Christian faith.

One can authoritatively say that the Second Vatican Council fueled the renewal because of the documents and discussions that followed. This would permanently change the path followed by the Roman Catholic Church. Catechism took center stage as some dioceses picked charismatism. There was a rise in faith healing, worship outside the church and prophesy.

Catholic renewal has divided the church hierarchy with some accusing the charismatic followers of misinterpreting the bible. Charismatic faithful site the early church that had miraculous powers like speaking in tongues. The wave of change has spread with increasing individuality of dioceses and decentralization of some liturgical practices. This church has become more dynamic as it makes strides into the future.




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