Charis, the Single International Service for Catholic Charismatic Renewal to start operations

The new single international service, Charis – Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service will be inaugurated officially on 9th June next, the Solemnity of Pentecost. On the same day, ICCRS and Catholic Fraternity will cease to exist. Charis, established at the request of Pope Francis, will mark a new stage in the Catholic charismatic Renewal as a current of grace in the heart of the Church.

Above all, Charis is a service of communion among all the Catholic Charis Renewal expressions throughout the world that currently number more than 120 million Catholics living the experience of baptism in the Spirit through prayer groups, communities, evangelization schools and various communication networks and ministries. Charis’s objective is to promote communion among these realities both at national, continental and world levels. Charis’s Statutes highlight the importance of promoting the grace of baptism in the Spirit, activities for the unity of Christians, service to the needy and participation in the evangelizing mission of the Church.

On the occasion of its inauguration, Charis has organized an international conference of the leader-servants of Catholic Charismatic Renewal at the Paul VI Audience Hall on 6th and 7th June next.  More than 550 world leader will meet to pray together and listen to the Holy Spirit.  On 8^th June, also in the Paul VI Audience Hall, there will be a morning of witness and prayer open to everyone during which Pope Francis will address his message to all Catholic Charismatics throughout the world thus giving them the opportunity to participate in the inauguration of the Charis service.

In conclusion, on Sunday morning, Pentecost, all the Charismatic Renewal leaders will attend the mass in St. Peter’s square.

Charis is a service established by the Holy See through The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life as a public juridical person. The first moderator is Jean-Luc Moens, a Belgian citizen, married and father of 7 children, who has been involved in Catholic Charismatic Renewal for more than 45 years. The ecclesiastical assistant, chosen personally by Pope Francis, is Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the Papal Household.