Photo ~ The Charismatic practices of "Holy Laughter"

"Catholic" Charismatic Movement is not Catholic
A "Catholic" Charismatic Extravaganza by John Vennari-August 1997
"TO SPEAK IN TONGUES YOU HAD NEVER LEARNED WAS, AND IS, A RECOGNIZED SYMPTOM IN ALLGED CASES OF DIABOLIC POSSESSION." (Msgr. Ronald Knox - Enthusiasm)

It arrived on my desk a few months ago as yet another unsolicited piece of bulk mail.

The brochure from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, announced that "Catholic" Charismatics were about to celebrate their 30th Anniversary bash in Pittsburgh "where it all began," and for $69.00 registration, I would be welcome too.

So it was that on June 27, 1997, I found myself traveling toward this Pentecostal extravaganza. I went for the purpose of observation.

There was plenty to observe.

I had been to the "Toronto Blessing" church about two years ago, as Catholic Family News printed an ex- pose on this new movement written by Silvia MacAhern, and I wanted to see the "worship service" for myself before going to press.

The "Toronto Blessing" is a high-charged Protestant sect that could be called "Charismatic to the Tenth Power".

They believe the Holy Ghost manifests Himself not only in indistinguishable tongues and body gy- rations (as was the case with the Pittsburgh "Catholic Pentecostals") but also with screams, shrieks, rolling on the floor, hysterical laughter, barking like dogs and oinking like pigs.

This "Toronto Blessing" received some favorable comment at the June, 1997 Charismatic Conference. "Catholic" Charismatic pioneer Kevin Ranaghan, in his opening address, spoke of the "Toronto Blessing" as a true movement of the Holy Spirit.

In so saying, this "anointed preacher", as they call each other, told 7,500 Catholics in the aud- ience that barking like dogs and oinking like pigs is a true manifes- tation of the Holy Spirit.

None of the other speakers voiced any disagreement with this radical teaching from the podium.

In fact, by the end of the weekend I would witness priests and bishop(s) doing boogie-woogie dances on stage, I would endure rock and roll rhythms passed off as "sacred music", I would hear glowing prayers of praise for Protestant religions, and I would marvel in dismay at Steubenville's Scott Hahn attempting to de- fend Pentecostalism against bothersome "traditionalist" critics.

But we'll come to all this later.

Read the full article Here.

Video - Toronto Blessing