The meeting had been called by the Pontifical Council for
the Laity and organised in collaboration with ICCRS (International
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services) to discuss the healing
guidelines produced by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
last year.
These guidelines on healing were the first ever to be produced
by the Vatican, and as such were an implicit acceptance of the
ministry within the Church, although they contained within them
certain pastoral suggestions and restrictions. These unfortunately
were interpreted negatively by some people round the globe and
used as a way of banning any form of healing service or prayer
for healing.
Despite Vatican attempts to correct these misunderstandings
problems still continued in the interpretation of the norms suggested
and it was felt that a much clearer interpretation, was needed
particularly in the area of liturgical celebrations, which include
prayer for healing. Hence the decision to call the colloquium
in November 2001 to dialogue with those in the healing ministry
within the Charismatic Renewal to hear their experiences and
for the curia to put forward their understanding of the healing
ministry.
A small group involved in the healing ministry went from England.
These included Myles Dempsey, Damian Stayne, Geoff and Gina Poulter.
Dom Benedict Heron OSB was also invited but unable to attend
due to ill health. Charles Whitehead, the NSC chairman gave
one of the main papers on "Healing in other Christian Traditions".
This received a huge ovation from the delegates. (For a full
transcript of his talk please send a book of 4 1st class stamps
to the Goodnews Office, Allen Hall, 28 Beaufort Street, London
SW3 5AA).
The meeting began with a presentation of the main guidelines
from the Vatican Document that had caused all the controversy
"Instructions on Prayers to Obtain healing by God".
This was given by Bishop Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of the Congregation
for Doctrine of Faith. This was then further explored and developed
by various presentations throughout the three day gathering.
The mornings were devoted mainly to papers given by theologians
and members of the curia. Among the speakers and topics covered
were Fr Albert Vanoye SJ wh spoke on the biblical aspect of healing
in the life of Jesus and the early Church. Fr Fidel Gonzales
MCCI gave an historical analysis of the healing ministry in the
Church. Mgr Jacques Perrier, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, spoke
on the relationship between healing and the Sanctuaries and pilgrimage
sites. Also covered was the link between healing and sacraments
by Mgr Pio Tamburrino OSB, Secretary of the Congregation for
Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Fr Libero
Gerosa spoke on the canonical aspects of the ministry of healing
by lay people and Fr Mihaly Szentmartoni SSJ spoke on the risks,
deviations and abuses that can occur in the healing ministry.
Bishop Albert De Monleon OP from France talked about the ministry
of healing within the Charismatic Renewal.
If the mornings were more concerned with the theological and
theoretical aspects of the healing ministry the afternoons concentrated
on inspiring testimonies and reflections on the healing ministry
world wide, and gave witness to the importance of the ministry
in the Church. Charles Whitehead commented, "I was very
encouraged by the presence throughout the colloquium of Cardinal
Stafford, Bishop Rylko and Professor Carrigury from the Pontifical
Council of the Laity and I hope that as a result of this high
level involvement there will be more support for both liturgical
and non-liturgical settings for the healing ministry and we will
see encouragement for the training up of more teams to pray for
healing in our parishes."
