Holy See to send decree of approval to leaders of Neocatechumenal Way

Rome, Italy, Jun 12, 2008 / 13:25 pm

The Pontifical Council for the Laity will send the official decree approving the statues of the Neocatechumenal Way to founders Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez on Friday, June 13, at 11a.m., the Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano reports.

The Pontifical Council for the Laity described the significance of the approval in a statement saying, “The definitive approval of the statutes undoubtedly constitutes an important stage in the life of this ecclesial reality, established in Spain in 1964.  This approval required consultation at various levels.  During the ad expermientum period of approval of the statutes, the Council had the chance to witness the great contribution the Neocatechumenal Way makes to the new evangelization through a catechetical-liturgical praxis, [that has been] esteemed during its more than forty years of existence.”

“Therefore, after an attentive review of the text of the statues and after implementing some modifications that were considered necessary, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decided to grant definitive approval to the statues,” the statement continued.

“The statues of the Neocatechumenal Way, approved now in definitive form, deserve to be supported as a valid instrument at the service of this ecclesial reality, so that it may continue contributing to the good of the entire Church.”

Cardinal Stanyslaw Rylko will deliver the decree to the founders, and at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way will hold a press conference at their headquarters in Rome.