CHARISMATICS' ECUMENISM IN ITALY
David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277
The April 1998 issue of the influential Charisma magazine contained an article entitled Charismatics Work to Unite Catholics, Protestants in Italy. Consider some excerpts:
"Martin Lombardo, a charismatic missionary from NJ, stands among the religious relics in Rome's St. Peters Square singing praises and worshipping, exalting 'Gesu,' or Jesus, as his Savior ...
"Lombardo pioneered Jesus Cares Ministries in Rome with his wife Catherine in 1989. Their vision is to usher in the 'joy of the Lord and the fullness of God's glory' to the pope and to the entire Catholic Church through evangelistic outreaches and prayer campaigns.
"The missionaries say they are beginning to see God move in Rome through their ministry after years of efforts to earn acceptance in the Catholic community. ...
"Matteo Calisi, an Italian Catholic musician who has popularized charismatic praise in Italy, was featured at a December conference. Calisi draws many Catholics into Spirit-filled services because he is widely accepted by the established church hierarchy ...
"`We've had to overcome a lot of opposition and teach both sides - including those in America -- that we need to come together in love,' Lombardo said. `We can see things progressing in unity more now, but there is still work to be done.'
"`We now see God pouring out His glory on the Catholic people, and many charismatic Catholic groups are springing up everywhere - especially since Benny Hinn's visit last year,' Lombardo said. `We plan to see the day when evangelicals and Catholics will get along and worship the one true God in the fullness of His glory together.'"
(by Kelly Lynn Geissman, Charisma, April 1998, page 28,29)
