A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH
A ZENIT DAILY DISPATCH
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services
Promotes a Personal Experience of Pentecost
VATICAN CITY, 26 MAY 2006 (ZENIT)
Here is the description of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, which appears in the Directory of International Associations of the Faithful, published by the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
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Official name: International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services
Acronym: ICCRS
Established: 1978
History: The origins of ICCRS go back to 1970 when an International Communications Office (ICO) began operating at Ann Arbor, Michigan, to keep contact between the various prayer groups that had emerged from the personal experience of Pentecost, known as the "new outpouring of the Spirit" or the "baptism of the Spirit," and to provide information on the nascent movement.
In 1973, ICO began the annual publication of the Directory of Catholic Prayer Groups, giving the addresses of all the existing prayer groups. In 1977, a consultation was held for 110 people representing 60 countries, at which it was decided to set up an international committee to supervise the work performed by the office.
In 1978, the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Offices (ICCRO) was founded, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. There were nine members from Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania, together with the archbishop of Malines-Brussels, Cardinal Leo Suenens, as the spiritual assistant.
In order to develop relations with the Holy See, in 1980, ICCRO moved its offices to Rome. Having adopted its present name, on Sept. 14, 1993, Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services was recognized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity as an association of pontifical right, for the purpose of promoting Catholic Charismatic Renewal which is present worldwide.
Identity: ICCRS is the main coordination and service structure of Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It performs its mission of promoting renewal in the world by nurturing in its members their commitment to be faithful to the Catholic Church at both personal and group levels; acting as a center of unity, communication and collaboration between the prayer groups and the communities present in every continent; financially supporting the renewal centers in the developing countries and local initiatives and national and international youth meetings; and organizing world congresses and conferences for renewal leaders.
Organization: ICCRS is governed by the council, which comprises the president, a vice president and 12 councilors representing different areas of Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the geographic areas in which it has been established. In the performance of its functions, the council is accompanied by a bishop as its spiritual assistant (episcopal adviser).
The decisions adopted by the council are implemented by an office, headed by an executive director, responsible for administration, working under the supervision of the president, and according to the instructions issued.
Membership: ICCRS is in contact with charismatic groups in 165 countries worldwide.
Publications: ICCRS Newsletter published bimonthly in Italian, French, English, Portuguese, Spanish and German.
Web site: www.iccrs.org
Headquarters:
International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services
Palazzo della Cancelleria
00120 Città del Vaticano
Tel. (39) 06.6988.7538/06.6988.7565 — Fax 06.6988.7530
E-mail: info@iccrs.org
© Copyright 2006 — Libreria Editrice Vaticana [adapted]
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