The hundreds of thousands Neo-Catechumenal Way members spread around the world, including several thousands in Malta, recently received the news that their statutes, which confirm the movement's unique approach to adult evangelisation but insist on close ties with local bishops and parishes, have been approved by the Vatican.

Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, said that the definitive approval of the Neo-catechumenal Way's statutes is a moment of joy, both for the ecclesial group and for the Church itself.

"It signifies the confirmation on the part of the Church of the authenticity and genuine character of the charism found in its origin, in the life and in the mission of the Church."

The Neo-Catechumenal Way was set up by Kiko Arguello, now 69, and Carmen Hernandez. Arguello initiated the movement in 1964 among Gypsies, the homeless and others living on the margins of society. This Spanish origin of the Way bore fruit. Today the Catechumenal Way has hundreds of thousands of members, including tens of thousands of families in mission and thousands of young people dedicating themselves to spreading the Word, and 70 seminaries.

The Neo-Catechumenal Way has had skirmishes with several bishops around the world.

For example, they were not very well regarded by the famous Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. They had their ups and downs with the bishops in Malta and especially in Gozo. Now they are a force to be reckoned with.

The approved statutes are similar to those adopted in 2002. They describe the Neo-Catechumenal Way as "an instrument at the service of the bishop for the rediscovery of Christian initiation on the part of baptised adults". The movement is especially aimed at those who have drifted away from the Church, those insufficiently catechised, those who want to deepen their faith and those who come from other Christian communities.

Reading through the statutes one cannot but note an effort to calm the fears of bishops and many parish priests that the Way's methods could divide the parish.

The statutes say the Neo-Catechumens' activities should be co-ordinated with those of local parish and that the movement should promote among its adherents "a mature sense of belonging to the parish".

More specifically, the statutes said the movement's Mass on Saturday evenings now forms part of the parish liturgy and must be open to other members of the parish. The liturgy used by the Neo-Catechumens differs in several ways from the liturgy ususlly used in our churches. Most of these differences remain in place.

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