By Father Anthony Delisi, Holy Spirit Abbey, Conyers

To many, the “Pentecostal Movement” is regarded as a phenomenon the Protestant world, and in the Atlanta area the outstanding Pentecostal Churches belong to the Assemblies of God and the Church of God. But there are many other minor groups, both black and white, scattered throughout the city.

Within the past three years, however, the Pentecostal Movement has appeared among Catholics. In early 1937 Catholic laymen and women began to experience the Pentecostal phenomenon. It began in Pittsburgh and quickly spread to the University of Notre Dame and from there to Lansing, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Miami, Boston, Rochester and recently has spread to other cities of our nation. Perhaps Atlanta is one of the very few cities that does not have an established group of Catholic Pentecostals.

Some of those who have entered the movement have frequently experienced a striking moral reformation in their lives, such as freedom from drunkenness, drug addiction, and other habits of sin. Those already dedicated to Jesus have often found their personal prayer life deepened along traditional Catholic lines. Some of those entering into this charismatic experience have encountered a personal awareness of the love of Jesus for them, fostered by a great love for the written word of God. The sacraments, centered in the Eucharist, have deepened in meaning. The role of Mary is seen in a new dimension in as much as the Holy Spirit is seen as activating her whole life.

Like some new movements, this one has also been under heavy criticism. In Nov. 1968, the American bishops decided to make an official investigation. Those then involved were requested to report on their involvement to a theological commission set up under the direction of Bishop Zaleski of Lansing, Michigan. The final report of the commission was presented to the American bishops in November of 1969 and is printed in this weeks issue of the Georgia Bulletin.

This charismatic renewal may impress some as being only an outbreak of emotionalism, but is in fact firmly based in Scripture. The Book of Acts is a record of the activity of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. There are five recorded instances in this book where men receive the Holy Spirit, in three cases this Baptism of the Holy Spirit was evidenced by the speaking in other tongues or prophecy. St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians writes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Chapters 12-14). Paul does not forbid the use of the charismatic gifts but rather admonishes the spirit filled Corinthians to use discretion and wisdom in the use of these gifts.

A monthly breakfast is sponsored by the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship under the direction of Lynwood Maddox, 1606 First Federal Building, Atlanta. This gathering is made up of men of almost every denomination, including a few Catholics.

A group of Catholics may soon form in this area in order to have prayer meetings in an atmosphere that is more congenial to traditional Catholic piety.

Those interested in obtaining further information may read the best seller of “The Cross and the Switchblade” by David Wilkerson and “They Speak in Other Tongues” by John Sherill. An outstanding book on the subject is “Catholic Pentecostals” by Kevin and Dorothy Ranaghan.

Some excellent booklets giving more of the Catholic position are “Spiritual Gifts,” and “Confirmation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit” by Stephen B. Clark and “Prayer Meetings” by Jim Cavnar.