His Holiness Pope Francis spoke to participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, inviting the Catholic Church to discern the Holy Spirit’s presence in charismatic movements. The theme for the Plenary Assembly was “Pentecostals, Charismatics, and Evangelicals: Impact on the Concept of Unity”.
As reported by Vatican news, His Holiness Pope Francis remarked that “The growth of these communities is an important phenomenon, which cannot be overlooked. We have the duty to discern and recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in these communities, seeking to build bonds of authentic solidarity with them. This requires us to create opportunities for encounter and to overcome mutual feelings of diffidence, which are often caused by ignorance or a lack of understanding.” The Pontiff said Catholics can welcome the richness of charismatic communities under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Holy Father Pope Francis also listed several common activities Catholics can engage in with Pentecostals, Charismatics, and Evangelicals.
The Pontiff highlighted that “Catholics can learn to appreciate how they live their faith, praise God, and witness the Gospel of charity.” He also emphasized that “At the same time, fraternal encounters can help charismatic communities to overcome prejudices about the Catholic Church and to recognize that – in the inestimable treasure of tradition, received from the Apostles and cared for throughout history – the Holy Spirit is not at all extinguished or suffocated, but continues to operate efficaciously.”
