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Questions & Answers

Charismatic Movements

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › The Church › Charismatic Movements

The question

My friend invited me to a Catholic group of prayer that is called a charismatic group. They do a lot of praise and sing and often speak with a loud voice. This charismatic movement is new in the Catholic Church and was adopted by taking some practices from Protestant churches that are called Pentecostal and who are known to pray to the Holy Spirit. My friend says he is now praying in tongues but in a foreign language that we do not know. The last time I went with him, I started to scream while saying Bible verses or prayers. They say that it is the Holy Spirit. Is this a good practice? Should I stop?

The answer

This is not a good practice at all. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples on Pentecost and divided tongues sat upon each of them as they were gathered together and they began to speak in different tongues, this was for the purpose of evangelism at that time (cf. Acts 2). The Holy Spirit bestows gifts according to the needs of the Church, so to equip the Church and the servants for the ministry. Ask yourself for what purpose was it for one to "scream while saying Bible verses or prayers." What is the purpose of speaking in a language that no one can understand? Who is being edified by these kinds of behaviors or by these incomprehensible words? The Church is not about charismatic leaders or charismatic services. The Church is the Lord's house. It is a house of prayer and worship, where we approach the Lord upon the holy altar with a contrite heart and partake of the Holy Eucharist.

"Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7)

"And He said to them, 'It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" (Matthew 21:13)

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 2264 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.