VZCZCXRO3953
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHROV #0026/01 0521731
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211731Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0917
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0951

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VATICAN 000026 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT
SUBJECT: UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SEE:  ECCLESIAL (LAY) MOVEMENTS, PART 
I 
 
REF: A.  2007 VATICAN 195     B. 2007 VATICAN 161 
 
VATICAN 00000026  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
 
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¶1.  (U) This is the second in a series intended to facilitate 
cooperation with Holy See and Catholic Church entities to 
promote U.S. goals through a greater understanding of the Holy 
See's institutions, agencies and structures (reftel A).  In this 
cable, we provide an overview of ecclesial movements -- also 
known as lay movements or international associations of the 
faithful -- and their influence in society, politics, and the 
future of the Catholic Church.  Ecclesial movements are 
religious organizations for "ordinary" Catholics.  While the 
movements vary widely in structure, membership requirements, and 
charisms, most share some common characteristics.  The Holy 
See's Council for the Laity -- rather than local bishops -- is 
responsible for processing requests for the official recognition 
of ecclesial movements.  Lay movements are the vanguard of the 
Church today and are therefore powerful allies of the Holy See 
in globally promoting Catholic views and values, including many 
shared by the USG, such as human rights. 
 
 
 
Ecclesial movements' charismatic appeal 
 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) Ecclesial movements are a fundamental part of the 
universal Catholic Church.  There are over 150 international 
ecclesial movements worldwide.  These movements are not simply 
non-governmental organizations (though some have in fact 
established associated NGOs).  Ecclesial movements can originate 
from a vision by a charismatic leader or a group of very 
committed "ordinary" Catholics.  Without deviating from Church 
Magisterium (the official teachings of the Church), movements 
may emphasize a particular means to be an active part of the 
Catholic Church and -- significantly -- of society as a whole. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (U) Ecclesial movement "charisms" may focus, among other 
things, on charitable work, strengthening the personal faith of 
members, or infusing the geo-political world with Christian 
values.  (By "charism", the Church means the action of the Holy 
Spirit on Earth.)  Many of the movements were established or 
found new prominence during the second half of the 20th century, 
around the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).  The 
movements vary widely in structure, membership requirements, and 
focus.  Most nevertheless share some common characteristics, 
such as a specific itinerary of formation and prayer, and a 
particular outreach such as evangelization, care for the poor, 
or international conflict resolution. They have grassroots 
beginnings, mostly European origins, and often conservative 
theological underpinnings. Most arose outside the bounds of a 
mainstream parish.  While they are mostly comprised of lay 
people, they may also include clerics (it is for this reason 
that the Holy See refers to them as "ecclesial" rather than 
"lay" movements).  Members of the ecclesial movements often make 
a commitment to live a "consecrated life".  This sometimes means 
chastity and living in community (a group home) with other 
members.  Because of the diversity of movements, however, the 
range of commitments is very broad. 
 
 
 
The Holy See's supervisory role 
 
------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) In reviewing applications for official recognition, 
the Holy See's Council for the Laity consults with the 
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith -- to ensure that the 
movement's charism is dogmatically sound -- and with the bishops 
where the group is active.  According to Holy See officials 
familiar with the process, some applicants never complete it 
because they feel it is too onerous, preferring to remain 
broadly-defined Catholic groups rather than receiving the 
official designation of "an international association of the 
faithful of Pontifical right". 
 
¶5.  (U) The direct link between the Holy See and the movements, 
as well as the activism that they may bring at the grassroots 
level, can give rise to tensions between the movements and the 
local Church hierarchy.  At the same time, Holy See officials 
note, a well-managed relationship can be very beneficial to the 
local dioceses, as the movements can bring about human and 
material resources not available to most parish priests. 
 
 
 
VATICAN 00000026  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
Ecclesial movements and the future of the Church 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) A professor of Church history at the Gregorian 
University in Rome commented to poloff recently that "lay 
movements are the future of the Church".  For this Jesuit 
professor, the role that the Jesuits themselves once played as 
the vanguard of the Catholic Church has now been passed on to 
lay movements.  A Holy See official agreed, noting that the 
Jesuits have 20,000 fewer members today than they did fifty 
years ago, while ecclesial movements continue to grow (Note: 
Other observers, however, caution about underestimating the four 
hundred and sixty-eight year-old Society of Jesus, which 
recently elected a new Superior General.  End note.) 
 
¶7.  (U) Pope Benedict XVI has followed in his predecessor's 
footsteps in giving his blessing to lay movements, as long as 
they maintain fidelity to the core of Catholic teaching and 
respect the authority of the local bishop.  For Pope Benedict, 
the ecclesial movements and the local church are not in 
opposition to each other, but rather are different expressions 
of the singular reality that is the Catholic Church.  Pope 
Benedict also sees the lay movements as "elite troops" who will 
take up his call for a major push against what he has described 
as the moral relativism of 21st century society.  (Note:  For a 
look at three influential lay movements and their work in Italy 
and beyond, see septel.  End note.) 
 
 
 
Comment 
 
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¶8.  (U) Comment:  Lay movements are powerful allies of the Holy 
See in globally promoting Catholic Church views and values. 
Because they are mostly lay men and women fully integrated in 
society, members of ecclesial movements are not as recognizable 
as diocesan priests or religious (nuns, monks, and friars). 
Without being secretive, the movements' lower visibility allows 
them to reach places and people -- political and business 
circles, youth, intellectuals, workers, etc -- in ways that 
traditional Church hierarchies cannot.  This is the case, for 
example, in authoritarian countries weary of independent 
organized religion, or in the midst of secular developed 
societies that may view Church institutions as a thing of the 
past.  Often, the values they promote -- religious freedom, 
inter-religious dialogue, conflict resolution, and solidarity 
with the poor -- coincide with USG goals to promote liberty, 
human rights, peace, and development.  End comment. 
GLENDON