CHARIS Nordic has constituted itself.
CHARIS Nordic is the CHARIS National Service of Communion (CNSC) for the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden), merged into one entity corresponding to the Nordic Bishops' Conference. At a digital meeting on August 13, 2024, CHARIS Nordic constituted itself. The following people representing the groups we have been in contact within the Nordic countries are part of the team:
· Bengt Malmgren (coordinator), Prayer group in Catholic cathedral Stockholm (S)
· Bozena Ziep, Prayer group Siloe, Malmö (S)
· Ines Gynette Buzirukanyo, Prayer group S:t Lars parish, Uppsala (S)
· Inngunn Glomnes Johansen, Prayer group Lumen, Oslo (N)
· Ivan Vysochanskyi, Community of the Risen Christ GALILEA, Järfälla (S)
· Justyna Kadziewicz, Community Koinonia John the Baptist, Täby (S)
· Lina Joannou-Jyränki, Prayer group, Helsinki (SF)
· Ludwig Gelot, Prayer Group, Holy Trinity Church, Järfälla (S)
· Pancho Chin A Loi, Deacon, Prayer group Holy Trinity parish, Järfälla (S)
· Ulrika Classon, Contact person, Visby (S)
Bengt Malmgren was appointed coordinator for the team.
The next step is that our European contact person Tony Laureys presents the team to the International service team for formal approval, which is expected shortly.
The goal of CHARIS Nordic is to support and strengthen the entire diversity of the Catholic Charismatic family in the Nordic countries by seeking to reach out to all groups and build community.
We have not been able to get in touch with any groups in Denmark and Iceland yet but hope that will change in the future. All charismatic groups in the Nordic countries are still welcome to sign up via the CHARIS Nordic website https://charisnordic.com .
See which nations have so far established national CHARIS services of communion:https://www.charis.international/en/national-services-of-communion/
The tasks of a national service of communion are as follows:
- To be respectful of the pastoral needs of the different expressions, as well as of the new realities inspired by the Spirit, and to invite all of them to build communion.
- Identify the different expressions or realities of the current of grace present in the region to include them.
- Organise regional meetings of the leaders of all the charismatic realities.
- Maintain contact with the international institutions: CHARIS Continental Service of Communion, CHARIS International Service of Communion and CHARIS International Office.
- Identify needs and provide necessary information.
- Be the liaison between the country’s current of grace and its Bishops Conference.
- Organise the election of the next CNSC
The first task for the Nordic team is to send representatives to the European CHARIS meeting in Poland on 27-29 September. Among other things, a new coordinator for the European service of communion and a special representative for young people will be appointed. From Sweden, Justyna Kadziewicz with delegation to represent the coordinator and Ulrika Classon as an observer will be sent.
Going forward, the team will keep in regular contact for deliberations and prayer via the internet. I think that the increased cooperation will bear rich fruit in the long term.
Factors that are crucial for success are:
· Continued Persistent Prayer (All Renewal Begins with Prayer)
· Knowledge, study (e.g. CHARIS Integral Formation Program, a two-semester internet-based course that we recommend to all leaders in renewal)
The aim is to contribute to the evangelization of the Church and fulfill the main points that Pope Francis wants from the Charismatic Renewal:
· That the baptism of the Holy Spirit is known and received throughout the Church
· Promoting Christian Unity
· Serving the poorest
/Bengt Malmgren
Coordinator CHARIS Norden
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