Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - Charismatic Renewal is a movement which uses prayer to heal hearts with the power of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and of every Christian and is helping to rekindle and strengthen the faith of Korean Catholics. It also offers valid support for evangelisation. This emerged from a survey undertaken by the Seoul Diocesan Pastoral Research Centre among 2,800 people directly involved in experience of communities of Charismatic Renewal, half of them in the archdiocese of Seoul.
When asked about benefit received 43.8% of those interviewed said they had experienced “spiritual growth”, 19.3% spoke of “faith rebuilt” through the experience of Holy Spirit; 12.2% found in prayer solutions to family problems and 8.3% experienced inward healing.
Many of the lay Catholics said priests would benefit from experiencing Charismatic Renewal because the experience leads to Christian life more deeply lived, more frequent reading of Scripture, more desire to share the joy of the faith. Lay people who belong to Charismatic Renewal evangelise with simplicity, courage and joy sharing Jesus Christ’s message of love they are witnesses who awaken faith in Korea.
Charismatic Renewal was started 40 years ago. After the meeting in Rome with Pope Benedict XVI at Pentecost, the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services organised a series of experiences and reflections among Catholic Charismatic groups from 5-11 June to mark the beginning of anniversary celebrations which will culminate in February 2007. (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2006 righe 27 parole 271)
