On November 28, 2020, Pope Francis elevated Father Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap, First Ecclesiastical Assistant of CHARIS, to the dignity of cardinal.
Father Raniero has been a key figure in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since his encounter with the CCR in 1977, which he himself recalls as follows:
“The most evident gift I received at my baptism in the Spirit was the discovery of the Lordship of Christ. Until then, I was a scholar of Christology, teaching courses and writing books on ancient Christological doctrines; the Holy Spirit converted me from Christology to Christ. What a thrill it was to hear 40,000 believers of various Christian denominations singing in the Kansas City stadium in July 1977: ‘He is Lord, He is Lord. He’s risen from the dead and is Lord. Every shall bow every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord’. For me, still an outside observer of the Renewal, that song had cosmic resonances, calling into question what is in heaven, on earth, and underground.”
(Address of June 8, 2019, in the Paul VI Hall at the inauguration of CHARIS).
On this anniversary, we thank the Lord for the precious gift that he has been and continues to be for the entire current of grace of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. His teachings and his witness of life are a treasure for the whole Church and for the CCR.
Praising the Lord, we invite everyone to pray for Fr. Raniero, that he may feel the love and constant support of the entire charismatic family that he has always loved and accompanied, and that he may feel our closeness and affection.
