Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service, also known as CHARIS, is the International service organism for all expressions of Catholic Charismatic Renewal (or CCR), a current of grace whose appearance in the Catholic Church in 1967 came as a fruit of the Second Vatican Council. Common to all expressions of CCR is the experiences of the fruits of Pentecost through an outpouring of the spiritual gifts called baptism in the Holy Spirit. On the 27th of April 2016, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, appointed a commission responsible for creating a new single service for all expressions of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. CHARIS was later erected by the Holy See, through the Dicastery for the laity, Family, and Life, with public juridical personality on the 8th of December 2018. (Art 2, Sec.1-2 of the Statutes)
THE THREE-FOLD MISSION
CHARIS began its activities on Pentecost 2019 at an Extraordinary Audience in Paul VI Hall, with the presence. and message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who gave Ct-lARIS a three-fold mission for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. "I expect you to share the baptism in the Holy Spirit with all in the Church; to serve the unity of the Body of Christ, the Church, the community of believers in Jesus Christ; to serve the poor and those in great need, physical or spiritual. These three things: Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Unity of the Body of Christ and Service to the Poor, are the necessary testimony for the evangelization of the world, to which we are all called by our Baptism." CHARIS AS A SERVICE STRUCTURE
CHARIS serves )311 existing charismatic realities, prayer groups, communities, schools of evangelization, ministries, associations, and those that the Holy Spirit will raise up in the current of grace. As an organism of service, CHARIS exercises no jurisdiction over Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), S'ince all expressions of CCR are directly under· the jurisdiction of the competent ecclesiastical authorities. CHARIS's role of service does not limit the freedom of individuals or groups within CCR in their contacts with ecclesiastical authorities. (Art 1,Sec 3 of the Statutes)
THE ORGANIZATION
CHARIS is organized in different services. CISC - CHARIS International Service of Communion with the International Moderator, Pino Scafuro and the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamesa, O.F.M. Cap and 18 members representing different regions and realities. CCSC - CHARIS Continental Service of Communion, one.in each continent. CNSC - CHARIS National Service of Communion, one in each country or Episcopal Conference. A single CNSC is provided for by country or by Bishops Conference, even in the countries where there are different regions, languages and cultures, as provided for in CHARIS Philippines. The goal of the National Services of Communion is to build and strengthen the wide and diverse family of the Catholic Charismatic RenewaL They should therefore be as inclusive as possible and open to new emerging realities. The model focuses on communion rather than government or structure. CHARIS has an International Office in Rome.
