Great Gathering of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Family – Uganda

Report

From June 30th to July 4th, 2014, a International Meeting of Catholic Charismatic Renewal took place in Kampala, Uganda, with the theme “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4)
All five continents were represented with about 2,500 people. We were honoured by the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio who delivered the encouraging message from the Holy Father. We were also strengthened by the presence of several Cardinals, among them, Cardinal Turkson from the Vatican, and from several Archbishops, Bishops and numerous priests.
The President of the Republic of Uganda edified us with his advice, asking us to live according the Word of God. He said that with a population of 86% of Christians, there should not be 18% HIV positive. Referring to Genesis 1,28 “Be fruitful and fill the earth and subdue it…” he said that it was his impression that Africans chose to fill the earth without subduing it; indeed if they were working, foreign assistance would not be necessary. Referring to the Good Samaritan, he exhorted us to abolish tribal and religious differences, in order to live in peace.

This recommendation was illustrated during the Eucharist by various dances and traditional costumes.
Sister Miriam Duggan originally from Ireland but a long term missionary in Uganda spoke about the call to holiness. We were created to be saints (1 P1,15 ; Ep 1,4). Everyone is called to holiness, and not just a privileged minority.
Dn Larry Oney (USA) talked about reconciliation. He said that there is no reconciliation without justice: reconciliation is restoration, and to reach it, it is necessary to:
Recognize wounds, as human dignity was compromised and destroyed.
Re-establish rights and restore what was spoilt.
Ask for forgiveness.
There is no reconciliation without repentance.
Bishop Sosthème Bayemi (Cameroun) invited us to go back to the Upper-Room which is our heart. Saint Augustine said: ”I looked everywhere for you, Lord, forgetting that you were in my heart.” The open heart of Jesus is the open source of his love, which we receive with the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the spiritual dialysis. Returning to the Cenacle is returning to mission. We must go out, and be missionaries.
Oreste Pesare (Italy) helped us, via a DVD presentation to re-live the Convocation in Rome of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal with Pope Francis. Where the Holy Father said, “The Catholic, Charismatic Renewal is a great force serving the spreading of the gospel in the joy of the Holy Spirit. I expect you to spread the grace of the anointing, to witness ecumenism and unity. Get closer to the poor and the needy as touching their flesh is touching the wounded flesh of Jesus. Adore your Lord God, look for holiness in the new life of the Holy Spirit, get out, and walk the streets to evangelize.”

Michele Moran (England), President of ICCRS, reflecting on Mary in the Upper Room, said that Mary always leads us to her son Jesus, and she cannot be separated from her spouse the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit and the bride say, come.”
She also talked about charisms, which are graces given for the good of the community, and she asked us to be better fire-starters, to spread the culture of Pentecost. It is not enough to light the fire, it is essential to maintain the flame.
Cardinal Turkson told us that after the Resurrection, the body destined to be dust is now destined to glory. The resurrected Jesus still carries the signs of his passion, of his love, and he takes them to heaven with him, which means that the love of God for us is eternal.
He also presented us with several ways of “going out”:
Abraham leaves his security to go to the place shown by God.
Joseph goes out because of betrayal, and eventually becomes a blessing for his nation.
Moses is saved from the waters to help save his people.
Paul, the persecutor becomes an evangelist of the Word.
All these teachings were completed by a round table about the practice of evangelization and by a intense time of adoration, prayers of intercession, healing, ceremony of anointing, pilgrimage to our Brothers Orthodox, as some of the martyrs were Orthodox, and the concluding “sending to mission” after a ceremony of light in the image of Jesus, Light of the world.

The Great Gathering of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Family is a huge celebration as part of the journey towards the CCR Golden Jubilee. The event will be held in Uganda from 30th June to 6th July, 2014, bringing together delegates from all the five continents of the world to Africa for the first time, to pray and seek the Lord for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Renewal and the Church worldwide.