Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 184.  Thu 11-07-91 18:17  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Carlos Olson
 Subject: Speaking in Tongues

³ Although I'm a practicing Catholic, I seem to hang out much more with
³ "born again" Christians.  Sometimes I pray with them and they speak in
³ tongues.  What is the Church's position on this.  Are they for real.  I
³ definitely don't think they're faking it.
³  
³                    º Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare         º
 
Dear Carlos,
 
There is no need at all to suppose that Pentecostals are "faking it"
when they speak in tongues.
 
In the early Catholic Church, speaking in tongues was not uncommon
(Acts 2: 4-21, 23-32; 8: 9-24; 10:46; 1st Cor. 12-14.)
 
Since then, it has re-emerged mainly among certain Protestants.
Nowadays, however, there is a resurgence of pentecostalism among
Catholics.  Pope Paul VI spoke of this renewal as the miracle of
Pentecost continued in history.
 
The fruits of participation in this Catholic movement are reported to
be: a new sense of God as Father; more intense prayer life; love of the
Bible; new devotion to the Mass and to Mary; deliverance from sin;
fidelity to the Church.
 
There significant differences between modern Protestant and Catholic
pentecostalism.  Catholics in the movement adhere to the primacy of
sacramental baptism; reject any "re-baptism"; maintain a precise
concept of the Church and its teaching office; do not profess
"assurance of salvation"; and reject biblical fundamentalism and rigid
moralism.
 
I hope you don't let your Protestant friends get away with calling
themselves "born again Christians", if by that they mean that you are
not!  John 3:3-5 with Matthew 28:19, clearly teaches that it is water
baptism which causes a person to be born again and to become a
disciple.  This same water baptism makes a person a Catholic; in fact,
baptism exists precisely to form Church, of whom we are members under
Christ's headship (Eph. 5:25-27; 29-30; 1 Cor 6:15; Rom. 12:5; Col.1:18).
 
Thanks for writing.  I hope to hear from you again.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo