Published on: 2:40 pm, April 1, 2016 Story By: mattersindia.com

(Note: Since a few decades, I was eagerly looking for a sensible Bishop who dares to check this mad practise called Charismatic Prayers. Charismatic Retreats are clear misuse of human mind powers. At a level where props and koans burst into ones' self, naturally he/she gets lost into deeper layers of subconsciousness, where certain Siddhis (supernatural powers) surface. This is not reserved to Christians alone. SImilar miracle stories are available in the annals of all religions. With material support and artificially created psychedelic experiences aside, spiritual evolution in its true sense is impossible. If we mean to transform ourselves into an entity worth for a realm beyond the measures of time and space, we need to drop all our ego aspects one by one. Silence is the only exercice which can help us. Silence charges us with enough power to cross this ocean of name and matter. 

But nobody is interested to take anyone to their innermost core where Ananda reigns. Who will pay them? What these rogues in the disguise of shepherds want is money and money only. Have you heard about a Charismatic retreat team who offers you free service? Something is to be done with everybody who is misusing Charismatic Prayer Time. Joseph Mattappally – asso. editor)

Rome: The Catholic Church in Uganda has banned unbridled emotional outbursts during charismatic prayer meetings.

A set of guidelines issued by the Uganda Episcopal Conference stipulates also bans the use of holy oils by lay people.

The new rules insist that charismatic prayers should be held only at places approved by the local bishop.

Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Kampala announced the guidelines during Chrism Mass, Vatican Radio reported quoting the “New Vision,” a daily newspaper in Uganda.

The new guidelines aim to check controversies associated with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement in the country.

The 63-year-old prelate clarified that the local bishop has the pastoral responsibility to ensure that whatever happens within his diocesan area is in conformity with Catholic traditional practice, doctrine of the Church and Canon Law. He also stressed the need to protect the vulnerable lay faithful from self-styled preachers.

Hence only a priest or deacon can conduct charismatic prayers, and no one else.

The guidelines say only ordained priests have the authority to administer holy oils. Archbishop Lwanga said not everyone can bless or sell Holy Oils.

According to Church teaching, the oils blessed at Chrism Mass are of three kinds: the Oil of Catechumens, Chrism and the Oil of the Sick. Each of these is oil extracted from olives. Chrism Oil is distinguished from the others by having balm or balsam mixed with it. The oils can only be blessed by bishop with a particular form of prayer, expressing the purpose for which it is to be used, during Chrism Mass each year.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a spiritual movement that incorporates aspects of both Catholic and charismatic practice. It places an emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus and expressing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Several Popes, starting with Pope Paul VI have recognized the importance and significance of the movement within the Church.

According to the archbishop, the Church will not allow falling, rolling on the ground, or shouting during charismatic prayers. He also clarified that it was the bishop’s responsibility to choose exorcists.

In the Catholic Church, only an exorcist officially appointed by the bishop can perform exorcisms. Kampala archdiocese also announced the names of four priests as the official exorcists.

Charismatic preachers who want to use the media will now be required to seek the approval of their bishop. The Kampala archbishop also said charismatic activities in any place require prior permission of the local parish priests.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Michael Blume also attended the Chrism Mass.