I am looking for information about a movement called the Neocathecumenate Way

Looking for information about a movement called the Neocathecumenate Way.

THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY: PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY

Submitted for your consideration is our lengthy report relating to the presence of the Neocatechumenal Way at three Parishes of the Clifton Diocese, Great Britain : St Nicholas of Tolentino in Bristol, St Peter in Gloucester and Sacred Hearts at Chariton Kings in Cheltenham.

This report was compiled by Paul Anthony Melanson .

Paul is the coordinator of www.FaithfulVoice.com New Hampshire , USA

You may contact Paul at cleghornboy@juno.com

Paul can be reached at http://LasaletteJourney.Blogspot.com

What is the Neo-Catechumenal Way?

I am looking for information about a movement called the Neocathecumenate Way. I only read the article of Father Enricco Zofolli.He wrote about it and it was nothing good.It sounded like a cult.Could you please help me with that?

Letters and info will be offered as the following.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I discovered two more links on the NCW which may be of interest:

http://www.christianorder.com/features/features_1995/features_Apr95.html

and:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/6919/E_med102.htm

These articles allude to doctrinal errors within the NCW

Paul

(PLEASE NOTE: This Web version of the Report still has a number of errors and is not yet finished being processed, but is an interim attempt to get the information to more people. It is released on the anniversary of the Report's Publication and an improved online version is hoped for this Winter.)

Report into the

presence and activities of the

Neo-Catechumenal Way

in the

Diocese of Clifton.

Clifton , Great Britain

1 November 1996 Bishop Alexander

Canon 212:

St Nicholas of Tolentino; St Peter and Sacred Hearts

THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY: PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY

Appointed for the Enquiry at the beginning of the year, each member of the Panel knew nothing or very little about the Neocatechumenal Way. We looked on this start situation as very advantageous to all the 'participants', simply because the Panel had no preconceived ideas. In this way, we would be able more readily to assess all the representations (written and oral) with an open mind without a prejudiced attitude so that the Enquiry would be perceived by all as fair, open and reasonable. We still hope that this has proved to be the case; we believe that it has.

Given our starting position, the Panel has experienced a 'learning curve' about the Neocatechumenal Way. This has necessarily taken time but could not be avoided: we felt this to be necessary m order to understand the expressed views. As you know, two members of the Panel are unfamiliar with an investigation process of this kind; this has been another learning curve. Time will tell whether the experience has been beneficial.

As the Chairman, my role has necessarily been at the front but this does not mean that Valerie and Fr Barnaby merely added to the Panel in appearance. Their assistance has been invaluable, not just to bolster but to provide words of counsel; I appreciate this. I am most grateful for their unstinting assistance and sense of humour shown at just the right time. The investigating experience for Fr Barnaby is not made easier because fellow priests from the Diocese are part of the Enquiry process. I would ask that this be remembered.

We have met and worked as a team very regularly, more regularly during the report formulation period. At the beginning and end of our meetings, we prayed for guidance knowing also that others in the parishes had and were praying for the Panel We are most grateful for such necessary support and the co-operation of people either in writing or at the meetings. We wish to thank each priest: Canon O'Brien, Canon English and Fr Trafford for their help.

Finally, the Panel wishes to thank you for your co-operation by answering our questions some of which might have been difficult.

Valerie James Tom Millington Fr Barnaby Dowling

Father all powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through Christ you bring us to the knowledge of

your truth,

that we may be united by one faith and one baptism

to become his body.

Through Christ you have given the Holy Spirit to

all peoples.

How wonderful are the works of the Spirit,

revealed in so many gifts!

Yet how marvellous is the unity

the Spirit creates from their diversity,

as he dwells in the hearts of your children,

filling the whole Church with his presence

and guiding it with his wisdom.

[Preface of Christian Unity]

NC ENQUIRY - REPORT

PART 1

1 THE ENQUIRY

2 PAPAL SUPPORT FOR THE NC; PANEL APPRAISAL

3 THE NC WAY; PANEL APPRAISAL

PART 2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:

A. THE ENQUIRY; VIEWS AND EXPECTATIONS

B. PERCEIVED PAPAL ATTITUDES TO THE NC WAY

C. INITIAL INTRODUCTION OF THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY TO THE CITY OF BRISTOL

D. SUBSEQUENT NC INTRODUCTION TO PARISHES AND DISCONTINUANCE

E. PARISHES WITH THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY:

i. ST NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO

ii. ST PETER

iii. SACRED HEARTS

F. PARISH CLERGY AND ATTITUDES TO NC

G. BISHOP ALEXANDER AND THE NC

H. ATTITUDES OF VICARS GENERAL TO NC

I. NC CATECHESIS AND NC COMMUNITIES IN THE PARISHES

3. PERCEIVED PERSONAL BENEFITS OF NC WAY

K. THE LITURGY OF THE NEO-CATECHUMENATE

L. VULNERABILITY AND ADVERSE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF NC

M. ADVERSE REACTIONS TO NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY

N. THE SITUATION JUST BEFORE AND AFTER MARCH 1994

0. DECLINING MASS ATTENDANCES

P. ADULT CONVERSION; ROLES OF RCIA AND NC WAY

Q. SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMMES

R. EDUCATION AND YOUTH PILGRIMAGES

S. SECRETIVENESS AND EXCLUSIVENESS

T. NC 'AUTHORITY' AND 'CONTROL'

U. POSSIBLE FUTURE SOLUTIONS

V. CONCLUSIONS; CANON 212 AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Part 1

1 THE ENQUIRY

1.1 At the beginning of January 1996, the Right Reverend Mervyn Alexander, Bishop of

Clifton, established a Panel of Enquiry to consider the claim made by some parishioners

in at least three parishes in the Diocese that their parishes have suffered harm and neglect

through the presence and activities of the Neo-Catechumenate. These views were made

known to Bishop Alexander in accord with Canon 212.

-- 1.2 Canon 212 states:

i. Christ's faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound to show

Christian obedience to what the sacred Pastors, who represent Christ,

declares as teachers of the faith and prescribe as rulers of the Church.

- ii. Christ's faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their

spiritual needs, and their wishes to the Pastors of the Church.

iii. They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their

knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors

their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have

the right also to make their views known to others of Christ's faithful, but

in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals,

show due reverence to the Pastors, and take into account both the

common good and the dignity of individuals.

1.3 The Enquiry sought information from those who are members of the Neocatechumenal

Way, from parishioners of the three parishes who are not members and from persons

outside of the parishes or outside of the Clifton Diocese who wished to offer their views.

1.4 The Panel appointed for the Enquiry is: Mr Tom Millington (chair) a Member of the Lord

Chancellor's Panel of Independent Inspectors assisted by Mrs Valerie James, a Member

of the Diocesan Trustees and a former National President of the Union of Catholic

Mothers and by Fr Barnaby Dowling, Parish Priest of Wells.

1.5 After considering different enquiry methods, it was decided by the Panel to invite written

representations in answer to the question:

"what has the Neo-Catechumenate done for you and your Parish?"

1.6 Following the consideration by the Panel of the written responses received over a period

- of months from the parishes, public meetings were held on a separate basis for members

of the Neocatechumenal Way and for non-members. These meetings took place:

1. The Parish of St Nicholas of Tolentino in Bristol: for NC members on 27

April at the Dunstan Centre and for non-NC on 28 April at the Apostle

Room, Clifton Cathedral;

ii. The Parish of St Peters in Gloucester: for NC members on 8 June at the

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