TheCatholicNews - APRIL 24, 2011, Vol 61, No 8 
ROME – A pastoral document on the baptism in the Holy Spirit is expected to be published soon by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS).
Some 150 theologians and Catholic Charismatic leaders from 43 countries met in Rome recently to discuss the topic before the document is updated and released.
The March 17-20 Colloquium on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit aimed to study the experience of BHS from a biblical, theological and pastoral point of view in relation to the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.
Participants were those who had written or taught about baptism in the Holy Spirit (BHS) in an in-depth way.
Among those present were Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, head of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household.
Fr Raniero emphasised that the Catholic Charismatc Renewal and BHS bring back the Christian traditions of the early Church. The first consequence of BHS, as seen today, is to proclaim Christ.
Dr Mary Healy, lecturer at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the US, said there is a renewed interest in the renewal and BHS in her country because of the challenges the Church faces there. Seminaries are now offering Life in the Spirit Seminars for seminarians and priests.
Mr Ralph Martin, a lecturer at University of Steubenville in the US, emphasised that BHS is linked to Christian initiation, and offers a release of the grace already present since the baptism. The fruit is a new zeal for mission. Theologian Fr Peter Hocken from Austria said he noticed the fruits of the Charismatic renewal and BHS in fostering ecumenical dialogue.
Other participants also shared about the positive impact of the renewal and BHS in their countries.
Prior to this meeting, the ICCRS Theological Commission had compiled an 85-page pastoral document on the BHS after circulating the original draft to theologians in many parts of the world and receiving their comments.
The commission will now compile an updated version of this document, which is expected to be published soon.
The meeting was sponsored by ICCRS in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
By Gerard Francisco
- Additional reporting: ZENIT
(reproduced with permission from Catholic News)
