Not Reliable Guides

A few years after the charismatic renewal movement broke out among Catholics, tightly knit communities inspired by the charismatic spirituality and style of worship appeared in the United States, Europe, and Australia. In spite of the loose and informal character of the movement from which these communities arose, they quickly adopted formal structures of pastoral governance which mimicked the pastoral structures and ministries of the Christian churches. Particularly important was the adaptation of the shepherding/discipleship model of leadership and pastoral care adopted from nondenominational Protestant groups. This work studies the origins, history, and theological underpinnings of these groups. The work argues that the practices and structure of these groups in not compatible with the Roman Catholic understanding of the Christian life and Church.