The following entry is reposted, with permission, from a person who grew up in the Neocatechumenal Way. Although the Pope's recent admonishing words were the harshest a Pope has delivered thus far, it is likely to fall on deaf ears with the leaders of the Way. Pope Leo XIV, like all previous Popes that addressed the Way in this format, took more control of the NCW audience and didn't allow the theatrics in prior years with his predecessors. Pope Leo, like his predecessors balanced praise and encouragement for the good works, with words of caution and rebuke, being more direct in his speech, perhaps because, he knows all too well the aftermath and abuses the Way inflicts on a diocese from his time cleaning up the mess in Callao, Peru.
Sadly, it won't be enough. Those who have been in the Way, like the following writer; know all too well that Kiko and company will take only the praise and ignore the admonishments. Only a direct "cease and desist", clearly outlining exactly what they must STOP doing, might they actually listen. Furthermore, this group of "catechists" and members, only seem to comprehend words that are yelled and emphasized with arm gestures likened to Mussolini or Stalin, or any other nerfarious dictator in history that has a podium and microphone. The following is a heartfelt, and poetic look into the lives of many who, miraculously, still hold on to faith - despite the Way, and still look to the Holy Roman Catholic Church for guidance and hope in Christ. How long must they wait? When will consolation and reconciliation come for them? How I wish the church would consider those not only left confused and abused by the Way, but all those who have LEFT the church because of the Way, and worse, those who have ceased believing because of the Way.
Spiritual Abuse, Institutional Betrayal, and Abuse of Conscience - Reflections on the recent Papal Audience with the Neocatechumenal Way: The Forgotten Victims
I have been reflecting on the Pope’s words during his recent meeting with the leaders of the Neocatechumenal Way. I attended those meetings many times myself, first as a child and later as an adult. I know the atmosphere well: after the "convivence" in Porto San Giorgio, where you are lofted in spiritual heights, you feel part of something extraordinary. In that context, the Pope’s warnings must have felt deflating to those present, despite his expressions of appreciation. But within the movement, the internal logic is to simply shrug it off. The mindset is that the Pope doesn’t truly know what is happening on the ground, and the only thing that matters is that we were "sent." The Church has approved us; it doesn't need to understand us. As usual, the Pope’s address was a mix of gratitude for the "good work" and warnings against "excesses." It is a familiar cycle—nothing new under the sun. By taking this approach, the institution keeps everyone satisfied: members point to the praise as a shield, and critics point to the warnings as a sword. But who is forgotten? The victims. The victims of these "excesses" are not being acknowledged. There is no call for reparation, no justice for the broken. This "balanced" approach only perpetuates the same pastoral negligence that allowed these abuses to happen in the first place.
It is painful to acknowledge, but the institution of the Catholic Church—through its priests, bishops, the Vatican, and the Pope himself—has played a role in allowing these abuses to occur. Our Mother failed to protect us. We were violated in the most sacred and intimate sanctuary that exists: our conscience. We were told we were safe within the Womb of the Church, only to be spiritually aborted. This hurt is constant. Our cries are muffled by an anonymity born of necessity, intended to protect our lives, yet leaving us to suffer in silence. We are mocked from all sides. From within, we are branded as rebellious or deceived by the devil. From without, we are dismissed as disgruntled, bitter, and angry. I turn to Jesus Christ, the Good Samaritan, asking Him to look upon us with compassion. I pray that the suffering we bear in silence will eventually yield the fruit Christ intends for the Church and the world—a fruit of truth and real accountability.
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
For the full context of the Pope's address to the Way with commentary go to:
https://thoughtfulcatholic.com/address-of-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv-to-the-leaders-of-the-neocatechumenal-way/
