8 – 12 October 1973
From the Editor of New Covenant
The Rome Conference
The first International Leaders’ Conference for the charismatic renewal in the Catholic Church turned out to be another surprise of the Holy Spirit. Virtually all those invited were able to come to Rome, some bearing tales of miraculous interventions which made their attendance possible. The conference brought together representatives from 34 countries where the charismatic renewal is experiencing significant development. the conference was very worthwhile in establishing the seeds of an international unity, a unity that is so important for the full fruit to come from what Gd is doing.
Perhaps the major surprise of the event was an unexpected private audience with Pope Paul VI for 13 representatives of the conference. The pope received us with warmth and friendship and spoke very encouragingly of the fruits coming from the spiritual renewal of which we are a part. All of us were moved by the warmth and positive tone of the visit and of the prepared statement that Pope Paul addressed to us.
Everyone else that we spoke to in Rome share the same spirit. Many other Vatican officials manifested a very genuine openness to the charismatic renewal. Indeed, God is moving in remarkable ways to prepare his people for a full outpouring of the Spirit. Let us give thanks for this conference and for the visit with the pope. Let us pray that God will continue to pour out his spirit upon the pope, other Vatican officials, and all the leaders of all God’s people.
~ Ralph Martin, Editor
New Covenant, Volume 3, Number 5, December 1973
(available to reference in the ICCRS Library)
