Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Two movements in the Catholic Church

By clicking on the above link, you will be taken to an editorial published by Christian Order on the dangers of the Neocatechumenal Way and the Cursillo Movement. Here's what this editorial has to say about the Cursillo Movement, which is heavily promoted throughout the Diocese of Manchester:


"Far closer to the sectarianism, secrecy and control-freakery of the Way is yet another Spanish movement, the Cursillo. Originally conceived in 1949, the Cursillo has become a notorious Charismatic vehicle for small group infiltration of parishes and the spreading of the Social Gospel. It so precisely mirrors the ultra-Charismatic nature, gnostic attitude, small cell structure and cultish methodology of the Neocatechumenate (as well as sharing the aim of "renewing" the "old" and allegedly un-Christian pre-Vatican II Church with elite apostles of the "new theology") that it would be most surprising if Kiko Arguello was not directly influenced by the Cursillo when he founded the Way in 1964. (One can picture the explosive day these two messianic movements collide in the same parish setting!).

And what is the "social gospel" referred to in this paragraph? Read this article for an in-depth look:http://www.christianorder.com/editorials.html

Paul

6 comments:

Marie Cecile said...

Dear Paul,

I never heard of the Cursillo, up until a few years ago, when I started to pay attention to what is being offered in our Parish for retreats. Is this movement not a good movement? Then why is it offered in Parishes for Retreats? There have been times when I would have liked to go on retreat, but never felt comfortable with some of the new age offerings that I have seen listed, so I never went after my last one when I was younger. The Monastery that I went to is now a home for the aged. I remember how nice it was. :)

God Love You,
Bernice

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Dear Marie Cecile,


I think there are both positive and negative elements and that one has to be very careful with many of the new movements such as Cursillo or the Neocatechumenal Way.

Just recently, Pope Benedict XVI took the NCW to task for liturgical abuses and there have been other concerns as well.

God love you Sister,
Paul...:)

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Marie Cecile,

The following comment is from Fr. Zoffoli and addresses your question above:


"I have not been asked to explain nor have I been invited to a critical verification in a debate. Till now my work has met indifference and silence. A singular and worrying attitude on the part of some of those responsible for Catholic orthodoxy. How to explain it? I leave it all in the hands of the Judgement of God and of history. But therefore this judgement encourages me to continue the principal argument: the basis of the Neocatechumenate is heretical; and I emphasise this especially for those who believed the title of my essay to be exaggerated or even calumnious."

The Editor of Christian Order, a publication faithful to the Magisterium, had this to add:


"Nothing has changed since Fr. Zoffoli's death several years ago. The "indifference and silence" continues. Thus, following the Vatican's approval, we've heard a lot about 'wondrous' Neocat expansion, nothing at all about heretical catechesis and no more than passing intimations about cultish Neocat practices - control and manipulation, secretiveness and deception, Gnostic sectarianism and archaism, intimidation and exploitation - and the trail of familial and parish disunity and acrimony they have left in their wake. The many objective Catholic (as opposed to self-serving liberal) critics of Opus Dei will recognise a number of familiar traits in that lot. Yet for all its myriad sins, especially deceptive recruitment practices against the Fourth Commandment (which prompted Cardinal Hume to rightly intervene), Opus Dei, unlike the Neocatechumenate, celebrates reverent Masses and preaches Catholic doctrine. Far closer to the sectarianism, secrecy and control-freakery of the Way is yet another Spanish movement, the Cursillo. Originally conceived in 1949, the Cursillo has become a notorious Charismatic vehicle for small group infiltration of parishes and the spreading of the Social Gospel. It so precisely mirrors the ultra-Charismatic nature, gnostic attitude, small cell structure and cultish methodology of the Neocatechumenate (as well as sharing the aim of "renewing" the "old" and allegedly un-Christian pre-Vatican II Church with elite apostles of the "new theology") that it would be most surprising if Kiko Arguello was not directly influenced by the Cursillo when he founded the Way in 1964. (One can picture the explosive day these two messianic movements collide in the same parish setting!)"

Anonymous said...

Many aspects of the Cursillo are cultish. Most troubling is the secrecy and the cliqueish mentality among those who have taken a Cursillo. It's as if they feel themselves to be a "spiritual elite."

I like what Christian Order has to say about Cursillo and the social "gospel." Many Catholics today are more concerned with fighting poverty (a noble goal and a corporal work of mercy) than they are with saving souls (a spiritual work of mercy).

Which is more important, the temporal body or the immortal soul? Mother Teresa of Calcutta served the "poorest of the poor" without neglecting the spiritual works of mercy.

Marie Cecile said...

Dear Paul,

Thank you for the information. Now I understand why I was not comfortable hearing of the Cursillo. I did not know anything but somehow knew it wasn't good. I will trust those instincts for now. They pretty much have not led me wrong as of yet. I'm beginning to think I aught to start up religious order in God's Name, as I seem to have thought this more than once. And it would most definitely be Roman Catholic. :)
Except last time I was at La Salette I felt it was my home, there is no female order up here that speaks English. I'm sorry for rambling, in time I'm sure it will all be clear.

God Love You
Always With A Smile :)

Marie Cecile

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Dear Marie Cecile,

As my good friend Padre Pio used to say: Pray and trust. Everything will be revealed in time.

Pax Christi,
Paul....:)

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