A Church in Movement

Fr. Heinrich Walter's Conference in Buenos Aires

Padre Heinrich Walter en Buenos Aires: conferencia sobre la importancia de los Movimientos Father Heinrich Walter in Buenos Aires: Talk on the role of the Movements Pater Heinrich Walter in Buenos Aires: Vortrag zur Bedeutung der Bewegungen
Presentación del conferencista Presentation of the speaker Vorstellung des Redners
Publico Audience Blick ins Publikum
P. Heinrich Walter con la Hermana Maria Teresa Father Heinrich Walter with Sister Maria Teresa Pater Heinrich Walter mit Schwester Maria Teresa
El P. Heinrich Walter con Santiago, el servidor del Santuario Fr. Heinrich Walter with Santiago, the Shrine server P. Heinrich Walter mit Santiago, „Diener“ des Heiligtums
Charlando Talking Im Gespräch Fotos: Crivelli © 2006

ARGENTINA, mca. In the Anasagasti hall of the Jockey Club - one of the oldest and more traditional in Buenos Aires, Argentina - on Tuesday, June 27th, at 7:00 P.M., approximately 150 persons gathered. There were Sisters, youths, families, men and women. The reason for coming together was a conference given by Father Heinrich Walter, General Superior of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The title of the conference was, "The New Movements, An Answer for Our Times."

It was one more anniversary of the death of Don Joao Pozzobon, starter of the Rosary Campaign - the "evangelizing face" of the Schoenstatt Movement - , when Father Heinrich Walter, from Germany, for the first time gave an open conference in Argentina - only three days away from the game between Germany and Argentina in the World Cup! Guillermo Moreno Hueyo from Confidentia made reference to this in presenting Father Walter. He speaks Spanish fluently since he has visited our country several times (the last time was in April for a meeting of superiors from his community), he commented, which "demonstrates his closenesss to Argentina, and that is good news since we are going to beat Germany on Friday." Obviously there was laughter from everyone including Father Walter. Again there was laughter when Father Heinrich began his talk by saying: "I am not certain that Argentina is going to win!"

The Church Lives and Is Young

The presentation began with a short video as motivation or introduction for the topic. He concretely pointed to the message that the Church has relied on great saints when facing the many challenges with which it has been confronted throughout the centuries. The video presented images of some Movements, founders and foundresses.

In his presentation, Father Walter quoted Benedict XVI in his first sermon as Pope: "The Church Lives and Is Young." Never in history has the Church been so present in the conscience of the world as it is today, commented Father Walter. Among the "mass events" in which it had a leading role are WYD, the election and investiture of the new Pope which the various TV channels competed for in order to televise, and the 2006 Pentecost Meeting where more than 400,000 faithful attended. These are the experiences in Europe in the latest times - experiences which for the European Church are as new as enriching.

Latin America is strongly rooted in the Virgin and the saints, so visits to places of pilgrimage are frequent. In Africa and Asia, a large growth is taking place each year. Also in Europe, a greater volume of pilgrims is noticed. The Church is moving, it is a Church in movement.

After the Council, the Church experienced a time of insecurity. With the fall of the Berlin wall, a general change took place: a revitalization of the Church has begun.

At the same time, the number of new believers does not grow. The connection between culture and faith is dissolving. On one hand, there is a great interest for religion, but on the other hand, many separate themselves from the church as an institution. WYD was a success as far as the number of youths it mobilized, but the indifference in living a Christian life was also perceived. This situation is a challenge which requires true witnesses of a lived faith.

An Answer from Providence

Modern man is a seeker. In former times there was much certainty and little freedom. Today there is little certainty and an enormous amount of freedom. For this reason, the Movements are called to be "schools of inner freedom" and to show the way of living with this freedom.

Pope John Paul II became the great figure of the century. He has lived the answers to the questions of this age. His paternal love, his composure, his strength, his surrender - until the end - are answers for the world.l

Does the Church give enough of a response to the challenges of our times? The Movements are an answer from Providence to the demands of the times. They are born in very particular moments of challenge. For example, the Neocatecumenal Way when Baptism was almost forgotten; in moments in which the family and the school are no longer places where faith is included, Communion and Liberation is founded by Don Giussani. In times of Marxism, as a revolution from the Church, Schoenstatt is born from the cry of youths clamoring to be free and autonomous. Father Kentenich understood this and with a stroke of genius led them to a Covenant of Love with Mary.

A Charismatic Awakening

John Paul II encouraged the new communities, perceiving that in them could be found the answers to many questions of modern man. In his discourse of march 2, 1987, he said: "The great fruitfulness of these movements and the demonstrations of energy and ecclesial vitality which characterize them must certainly be considered as one of the most beautiful fruits from the wide and prodound spiritual renewal promoted by the last Council" (Insegnamenti, X/1). He also spoke of an unending variety of initiatives in the social order and in sanctity.

Benedict XVI, in Pentecost 2006, affirmed: "Through the founders and starters, you have made clearer, in a special way, the face of Christ and you have placed yourselves on the way."

What place do the Movements occupy in the Church? They are a charismatic awakening given by God. They have and they make the experience of the closeness of God as in the early days of christianity.

There are 4 distinguishing characteristics in all Movements:

1. A particular way of following Christ.
2. Patenity/maternity of the founder which leads the members to full maturity and to sanctity.
3. It leads the members to a particular mission.
4. Proper mutual integration and of the Church.

Father Kentenich quickly sought insertion of the Movement in the Church. It is always stressful to take a new charism to the Church without generating a schism, a reform. Each Movement is different but are united in the same mission and in their being church. They present themselves as reflections of the one Church.

Ecclesial Maturity of the Movements

"Today, before your eyes, a new stage opens: that of ecclesial maturity. This does not mean that all of the problems have been solved. More than anything, it is a challenge, a road to travel. The Church expects from you 'mature' fruits of communion and commitment," said John Paul II on Pentecot 1998 to the Movements.

No charism exempts the pastors of the Church from submission. Official recognition from the Church must be fundamental. In that sense, Father Walter shared that on the previous June 4th, the Schoenstatt Work presented the General Statute of the Movement to the Prefect of the Pontifical Council for the Laity which, God willing, will receive approval by the end of the year.

The Movements entered a new stage. The older ones secured themselves in their structure. Others do not seek to secure that dimension. The number of Movements which exist and the innumerable number of works they perform give witness of their importnce for the Church.

They are a school of life for modern man under five aspects:

1. A school on the experience of God. A school of spiritual life for many.
2. A school of community. The life testimonies speak to the heart about the joy of sharing, about giving oneself to others and about the joy of service - an entire apprenticeship.
3. A school of sanctity. The world needs this witness. From each charism springs forth a specific school of sanctity.
4. A school of freedom. Benedict spoke much about freedom. Experiencing love makes us free interiorly, the freedom of the children of God.
5. A school of mission. The Church needs this new missionary spirit of the Movements.

In the majority of the Movements there is a closeness to Mary. No one is more open to the Holy Spirit than She. She is the Educatress and teacher of modern man. in the Campaign, Mary is on pilgrimage to family homes to educate.

The Holy Spirit has given us different and diverse charisms. These will be fruitful according to the measure in which they mutually animate each other in an attitude of respect, of working with love, without competing - an experience of communion which has been strongly experienced in Germany through the Covenant of Love sealed by Catholic Movements, Lutherans, Evangelicals and Ortodox in Stuttgart 2005 during the encounter "Together for Europe."

A Flood of Greetings

The climate was very relaxed thanks to the good humor and charm of Father Walter. The profound conference was momentarily difficult to follow since it spanned many very interesting and super new elements. Father Walter was accompanied by Father Juan Pablo; also present was the community of the Sisters of Mary through their provincial superior, Sr. Elisa and the Assistant for the Conference, Sr. Maria Teresa among others.

At the end of the presentation, the people stood in line to greet Father Walter and to congratulate him for his talk. All wanted to speak to him. He received each one warmly and was willing to listen and respond to their questions whether it was taking a picture with them or blessing the oar of one of the Servants of the national Shrine!

Work of the MTA

Santiago, 28 years old, left happily with his oar blessed by Father Walter. He will save it as a relic in the future, even though he will continue using it more than ever. He lives in Berazategui, several kilometers from Florencio Varella where he always goes by bicycle. He went especially to the conference that day to take pictures and to have his oar blessed which has been cleanly washed - so he told Fr. Walter. He prepared the camera, the rolls of film, etc., and at the moment of taking he picture he had no battery..... Somewhat dismayed, he asked the Schoenstatt correspondent if he could take his picture with Fr. Walter and as a result they spoke. Upon saying goodbye, very naturally and with simplicity, he said: In the end, it was providential that I had no batteries, otherwise, I would not have met you. It was the work of the MTA.

Night fell and Father Walter continued greeting the people in the hall. For everyone it was a luxury to be able to listen to him in what was his first talk, open to all. Along with his clarity of thought on a topic which is present-day and transcendental for the Church. he also shared with them several of his own experiences as a student, as a recently ordained priest and experiences of today. His charm, of course, conquered everyone.

His talk brought forth an earlier very interesting dialog on Schoenstatt, say some of the attendees who were "hooked" with his talk.

Translation Carlos Cantu Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA