Spread faith, charismatics told

CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma lauded local Catholic charismatic groups as they celebrated their 37th anniversary in Cebu City yesterday.

Palma congratulated the groups for their unity and urged them to share the teachings of God to more people.

More than 30 Catholic charismatic groups all over Cebu gathered yesterday at the covered court of the old Sacred Heart School where Palma said a mass.

The anniversary celebration of the Catholic Charismatic Communities of Cebu (CCCC) coincided with the feast of the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Palma, in his homily, stressed the importance of the sacrament of baptism.

“The baptism of Jesus was the beginning of his public ministry,” he said.

He said one’s baptism comes with responsibility.

Responsibility

“The gift of baptism does not only give us dignity but likewise the responsibility to spread the love of God,” he said.

The 62-year-old prelate encouraged the groups to organize seminars, house-to-house visits and other activities to share the teachings of God.

Catholic charismatic communities in Cebu have at least three million members, said CCCC chair Fe Barino.

“We pray that in this year of faith, daghan pang katawhan ang among madasig (we will be able to influence more people),” Barino said in an interview with reporters.

Yesterday’s celebration also coincided with Palma’s 15th anniversary as a bishop and his second anniversary as archbishop of Cebu.

Lively masses

The Catholic charismatic renewal movement, which is characterized by lively masses, prayer meetings and healing sessions, was recognized by the late Pope John Paul II as a unique and legitimate form of worship.