EUROPE/ITALY - 3,500 leaders of 1,800 Italian Renewal in the Spirit groups meet in Rimini: “Prevailing de-Christianisation is a challenge to the evangelising mission of the Church” says national co-ordinator Salvatore Martinez, recalling the call launched by Benedict XVI

Monday, 31 October 2005

Rimini (Fides Service) - Over 3,500 Renewal in the Spirit group leaders are meeting in Rimini 29 October to 1 November for the 29th Conference for Animators on the theme “We are each given a particular manifestation of the Spirit for the good of the community (1 Cor 12,7)”. These annual conferences in spirituality and formation are for animators of over 1,800 renewal in the Spirit groups all over Italy at the national, diocesan and local level. “This is an opportune time - says national coordinator Salvatore Martinez,- because these are difficult time: history shows that the more difficult it is to spread the faith, the stronger is the assistance of the Spirit who sends the Church new charismatic impulse. With the conference -Martinez continues - we wish to reaffirm with new awareness, charismatic nature of our movement, its specific and prophetic character in every Christian community and every walk of life”.
The Meeting’s programme includes conferences, discussion, liturgy and personal prayer/ The participants will take part in Burning Bush experience of 48 hours of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The meeting will also reflect on the important call launched by Benedict XVI to strengthen “communion among parish structures and various ‘charismatic’ realities which have emerged in recent years and widely present in Italy, that mission may reach every environment of life”, pronounced by the Pope in May during his first meeting with the Bishops of Italy. “The Pope’s recommendations- says Salvatore Martinez - must be taken up promptly. Prevailing de-Christianisation is a challenge to the evangelising mission of the Church in a constantly changing world which appears to be indifferent to Christ and his Gospel”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2005 - Righe 23, parole 294)


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