CALLED TO BE PROPHETIC COMMUNITIES

THIRD CONFERENCE OF COMMUNITY LEADERS ORGANISED BY CHARIS

ROME, 2025 June 8– June 12

Hot, sunny days welcomed the Pilgrims of Hope to Rome as we celebrated the Vigil of Pentecost and the Mass of Pentecost with Pope Leo XIV. It is estimated that more than 70,000 pilgrims gathered to celebrate the Jubilee of Lay Movements in St. Peter’s Square. This was the setting for the third Conference of Community Leaders organised by CHARIS, which brought together over 200 leaders from 43 countries to pray, share experiences and listen to international speakers, all with personal experience as leaders in charismatic communities. Speakers included Michelle Moran (England), Bishop Andrzej Siemienieski (Poland), Bob Garrett (USA), Father Christophe Blin (France/Germany), Italo Fasanella (Brazil) and Shayne Bennett (Australia). Testimonies from Australia, Hungary and Africa were also presented.

Each of the speakers addressed important themes for the witness of life and mission of charismatic communities seeking to be prophetic witnesses of God’s presence and transforming power in today’s world. (Each of these presentations will soon be available on the CHARIS website in several languages).

The intense moments of prayer united us as one people, one family from different cultures and nations. Each day, a group of young people from the music ministry in Poland led dynamic experiences of praise and worship. It was important for us to devote time to the manifestation of charismatic gifts, which encouraged and strengthened the leaders gathered there.

Who could forget the beautiful Eucharistic celebrations through which we were strengthened in our unity with one another and with our loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? The session on ministry to leaders was a time of healing and strengthening. Often during conferences, leaders are busy serving and praying for others. During this conference, leaders had the opportunity to be ministered to and receive what the Lord had in store for each of them.

One of the significant aspects of the conference was the number of new community leaders who participated. Of particular note was the presence of community leaders from West Africa, especially from the Ivory Coast. It was also a wonderful experience to meet those charismatic leaders who were seeking more information on how to develop an authentic charismatic community that could register with CHARIS.

We were also fortunate to welcome Katia Roldi (member of the CISC de CHARIS and coordinator of the National Service of Communion in Brazil). Katia spoke about the communion that exists between prayer groups and communities and encouraged us all in our call to communion and mission. We hope that in our future international meetings we will have the opportunity to bring together the whole family of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and declare together as one body that Jesus is Lord.

Shayne Bennett

Coordinator of the Commission for Communities of CHARIS