California Catholic charismatic renewal convention draws 12,000

Published: 2004-09-09

ANAHEIM, Calif. (CNS) -- Growing in intergenerational appeal, the 33rd annual Southern California Renewal Communities' Catholic Renewal Convention drew more than 2,000 youths. Approximately 12,000 participants -- including children, teens, young adults, families, singles and seniors -- attended the Sept. 3-5 event at the Anaheim Convention Center. Opening the assembly was Dominic Berardino, president of the Southern California Renewal Communities, which serves the Catholic charismatic renewal in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. He commented on what he said is the underreported "spiritual vitality" of the church. His remarks -- and prayers for victims of the school hostage situation in Beslan, Russia -- were followed by a rousing talk from Alex Jones, a former Pentecostal minister who is now a Catholic and works for the Detroit archdiocesan evangelization office. "We are living in one of the greatest periods of church history," said Jones. "In spite of the (clergy sexual abuse) crisis going on in the church, this is an exciting time to be a part of the church."

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