A recent meeting of pentecostal Scholars turned out to be the site of impromptu confessions of sins and pleas for forgiveness regarding Catholic-Pentecostal relations.

The Rev. Killian McDonnell, a Catholic priest who has participated in numerous ecumenical dialogues, stated his "Confession of Sins" during a plenary session at the Society for Pentecostal Studies, which met March 16-18 in Kirkland, Wash.

Speaking in a private capacity, McDonnell said, "I believe I am led by the Spirit to confess the sins that Roman Catholics have committed against classical Pentecostals." He said he was referring to such groups of churches as the Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Holiness Church.

"I confess the sin of arrogance with which Catholics have treated Pentecostals, leading to intolerance, discrimination and exclusion," said McDonnell, founder and president of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville, Minn.

"We have employed methods of evangelization not in keeping with the Gospel, using the state to harass and oppress Pentecos tals. When we were in the majority, we deprived Pentecostals of their civil rights; when we were in the minority, we demanded our full rights as citizens!"

McDonnell went on to speak of how some Catholics had demeaned Pentecostal churches by calling them "sects."

"Many Catholics have failed to recognize the true ecclesial and sanctifying elements in Pentecostal churches" he continued. "We have labeled them enthusiasts 'and have not received with gratitude the gifts and spirituality they offer.'

The Rev. Frank Macchia, outgoing president at the society's meeting, said McDonnell's words were "a Surprise to the membership" and "deeply moved" them.

At the meeting's closing banquet, Macchia responded with reciprocal words of forgiveness and confession.

Macchia, an associate professor of theology at the Asemblies of God-affiliated Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, Calif., said he was not speaking in his official capacity but stated, "I know that I speak for many in the society in offering forgiveness in response to Father McDonnell's confession."

Macchia added: "I ask that Catholics forgive the Pentecostals who have cherished visions of the end of time that condemn the Catholic Church for spiritual harlotry and idolatry. I ask for forgiveness for those who have assumed that the Catholic Church currently advocates salvation by works , denying the grace and truth of the Gospel, and for insensitive evangelistic efforts based on this assumption.

Back to Home Page