Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service
Prophet of God’s Mercy
After wishing us a Happy Easter and giving his blessing to the whole world, Francis jumped into the arms of the Father that same night.
With his last breath, he concludes the mission God entrusted to him and to which he gave his life.
The world has witnessed his passion for proclaiming God’s mercy and tenderness. For his insistence on proclaiming the Gospel and practising the values Jesus teaches us.
He did not seek to settle into comfort, but rather into simplicity and to face the necessary issues, even if they were uncomfortable, as the demands of the Gospel often are.
He opened countless new ‘holy doors,’ not only those made of wood and iron each Holy Year, but also those of the heart of Mother Church, to go out and welcome everyone, everyone, everyone.
In this way, he put the whole Church to listen to its Catholic faithful, to other Christians and to other people through the implementation of the Synod.
Sensitive to the needs of all humanity, from the beginning he warned of the existence of a world war in instalments and the need to disarm rather than arm. He included the fundamental role of interreligious dialogue as a good means of developing fraternity rather than fratricide.
He also warned of the urgent need to care for our common home, which arises from the wisdom that comes from being grateful to the Creator for Creation.
In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, we had the privilege of having him very close to us, always.
His letters and audiences deeply interpret what we understand as the mission of the movement, since that grace of the Holy Spirit burst onto the world 58 years ago.
His wise recommendations arise, in part, from his own experience with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since his time as auxiliary bishop and then through his bond with different international communities and organisational realities, as pontiff.
Interpreting the signs of the times well, he understood the reality of the Church needs the power of the Holy Spirit and all its creativity to overcome its current challenges, and that the Catholic Charismatic Renewal can be of great help for a renewed openness to the Spirit.
He also understood that unity is superior to conflict and that unity in the diversity of different charismatic realities, including other Christian churches, would therefore be more fruitful, because the sum is greater than the parts.
In his last letter sent to us at the beginning of this month, he reminded us: The Holy Spirit, gift of the risen Lord, creates communion, harmony and fraternity. This is the Church: a new humanity reconciled.
Thus, of its own free will, CHARIS was established. The international service for the entire stream of grace that is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
CHARIS, and through it the entire stream of grace, was entrusted with a threefold fundamental mission:
-To share with all the richness of Baptism in the Holy Spirit
-To work for Christian unity
-To serve the poor
This direction is like a song that should always inspire us.
Like the work of a composer, his work lives on, in his music. Pope Francis continues to move us with his gestures and words.
His closeness to the CCR increases our commitment to continue the work.
He always asked us: Do not forget to pray for me. And we did so many times.
On 3rd April, thousands of CCR members from more than 70 countries gathered in the Vatican Gardens. As we passed by Santa Marta, we prayed again.
We are sure that he heard from the Father today:
Good and faithful servant: enter into the joy of your Lord.
Pino Scafuro
CHARIS Moderator
April 21 2025
