John Cardinal Njue has suspended the activities of the catholic charismatic renewal movement in Nairobi over concerns of extreme noise and disorderly late night meetings. He also ordered an investigation into the matter, according to the director of communications, Fr.Martin Wanyoike. ‘’There were night meetings, which the cardinal felt needed leadership’’. Wanyoike as an example said some of the faithful are blamed for leaving their spouses at home, when they attend the meetings, an action that has put strain on families. He revealed fear that the movement’s worship had become more PENTECOSTAL. The contention is that the traditional liturgy was being abandoned.( Source: Leadership magazine No.484 July, 2009.p.11)(www.leadershipmagazine.org)
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Protests as Cardinal Njue bans Charismatic group
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/600346/-/ujn33n/-/index.html
By NATION Reporter and CISAPosted Tuesday, May 19 2009 at 20:09
A wave of discontent is sweeping the Nairobi Catholic community after John Cardinal Njue suspended the activities of a faith-healing group and ordered it investigated.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a global movement within the Catholic Church, whose members believe in faith-healing and speak in tongues.
Its supporters say it seeks to foster awareness of the gift of God’s Spirit and to help believers develop “a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
According to the Catholic news agency, CISA, Cardinal Njue announced his decision on February 20, during a meeting with 200 officials of the movement from the Nairobi Archdiocese.
The movement had spread to about half of the archdiocese’s 100 parishes. Former Archbishop of Nairobi, Raphael Ndingi mwana ‘a Nzeki had assigned it a chaplain.
Fr. John Muindi, the chaplain, said: “His Eminence said they (members of the movement) should no longer have any public activities.”
Cardinal Njue reportedly told officials of the movement that he was suspending their activities for a short time to investigate it.
Sad situation
When contacted on Tuesday by CISA, the Cardinal’s office said only he could comment and he was out of the office.
A Catholic Charismatic Renewal official described the ban as “a sad situation” and “a one-man decision.” He said members of the movement did not want to disobey the Cardinal but they had become impatient as the ban entered its fourth month.
A long-time member described the ban as “present-day persecution of those who want to worship God differently.”
The movement is thought to have been born out of a retreat at an American Catholic university run by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in February 1967.
Charismatic group leader speaks out
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/600734/-/ujn67j/-/index.html
By STEPHEN MBURU Posted Wednesday, May 20 2009 at 20:23
John Cardinal Njue may have suspended a Nairobi Catholic prayer and faith-healing community over fears some of its activities were a threat to family unity. The chaplain of the Nairobi Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Fr John Muhindi, said Cardinal Njue had expressed concern some members had lost “flavour as Christians.”
While suspending the group on February 20, the cardinal had told the priests he wanted the Charismatics to disperse to their parishes and build their faith and families.
Source of story
“Like any other church there may have been some activities by some members which made people uncomfortable. I may not be in a position to speak the mind of the cardinal over the exact reasons for suspending the groups. But he had said: ‘Let people go and build their faith, and be able to promote families at the grassroots and build their own.’
Fr Muhindi spoke to the Nation on Wednesday at St Francis Xavier’s Church, Parklands, where he is the presiding priest. He was to meet the cardinal on the same day over the issue but had been held up in meetings at the church.
When contacted for comment on his cellphone, an angry Cardinal Njue asked why the Nation ran the story on Wednesday without first seeking his comments. “I don’t know when it (Charismatic movement) was banned,” he said. When asked to tell the true position, he disconnected the telephone.
Cardinal Njue had visited Fr Muhindi about an hour after the Nation had left St Francis Xavier’s Church to know if the priest knew the source of the story. “We did not discuss anything. He only wanted to know the details about the story,” Fr Muhindi told the Nation by phone.
In the earlier interview, Fr Muhindi said the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was acknowledged worldwide and had the backing of the Pope. He said about five years ago, Pope John Paul VI sent Fr Raneiro Cantalamessa to strengthen the movement in the country. The Pope’s representative held a crusade in Nairobi and those who attended included retired archbishop Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki.
However, Fr Muhindi said individual bishops had the right to ban the movement within their jurisdictions. He said membership to the groups was open to “baptised and practising Catholics’’.
Fr Muhindi said interested individuals were required to attend a one-week seminar where they undergo Bible studies. The groups also are trained in guidance and counselling, praise and worship as well as hospitality.
The members also practice healing before they are dispersed “to be witnesses and continue to pray together.” During the seven-day event, dubbed life-in-spirit seminar, members “are reminded of their commitment, about baptism and sacraments and the importance and purpose of prayers.
The individuals and groups, Fr Muhindi said, were taught to “use the symbols that remind them who they are.” Such symbols include the Bible, candles and salt. Biblical training aims to help them to preach and strengthen their faith.
“The salt means you should retain your flavour as a Christian. Candles remind you that you are the light of the world and that light must be protected from going off.” Fr Muhindi said he was in charge of more than 100 parishes, each with its own prayer groups under local priests.
Catholic group angered by Njue’s move
http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1144014768&cid=159&
By Martin Mutua
Members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal group in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are angry that John Cardinal Njue ordered it investigated.
The officials, who did not want to be named said some were contemplating operating underground "just like in China where the church is being persecuted."
They said the last time they met Cardinal Njue four months ago, he told them that their group had been suspended to allow him to prepare guidelines how they would operate.
"What have we done to warrant investigation?" posed one of the officials.
The reactions came yesterday following reports that Njue had suspended activities of the movement.
Movement growth
They said the movement was formed 36 years ago in the archdiocese during the time of the late Cardinal Otunga, whom they said supported and encouraged the movement’s growth.
"And even his successor, retired Archbishop Ndingi Mwana’ a Nzeki supported and gave a priest who has guided us all through," they added. The officials added that the Charismatic Renewal movement’s headquarters are at the Vatican with a director assigned to oversee its operations.
They said Njue asked them to stop their prayer meetings.
"We are convinced the Cardinal has a problem with the group ," said one official.
The officials said Njue did not entertained the movement when he was the bishop of Embu and when he moved to Nyeri, he banned the group.
They said his successor in Nyeri, Archbishop Peter Kairo revived the movement and it is very strong.
Attend meeting
"This is an international movement supported by the Pope and we attend international meetings," added the officials.
Efforts to reach Njue were fruitless as his cell phone was switched off.
His secretary at the Holy Family Basilica told The Standard the Cardinal was visiting parishes and would be in the office next week. She, however, promised to inform the Cardinal of our request to get his comment and get back to us.
By the time of going to Press, the Cardinal had not called.
