With the participation of some 150 leaders of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) from Florida (Pompano Beach, Del Ray Beach, Fort Meyers, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami) and Texas (Dallas), the first Congress of the CCR in Portuguese opened with sessions on June 5-6, 2004. The Congress will close with meetings to be held on June 12-13, 2004.
Mr. Reinaldo Beserra dos Reis, President of the National Council of the CCR in Brazil, a member of the International Council of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (ICCRS) and the Catholic Institute of Evangelization Programs (ICTP) with offices in Rome, emphasized the following points in his speech to the assembly:
– The identity of the CCR and it role in the Catholic Church
– The necessity for continued formation and for expanded working relationships between the distinct entities of the CCR
– The need to support the hierachy of the Church, Pope John Paul II – and by this, to truly be Church
For the upcoming closing weekend, the themes presented will include a presentation on the charisms of the Holy Spirit and their use as a tool for evangelization.
Maria Elizabete S. Albuquerque
Catholic Community of Cancao Nova – USA
