To the Clergy and People of the Diocese :
In September 1979 I welcomed the commencement of the "Neo-Catechumenal Way" in this diocese out of sincere and fervent hope that it would be a fruitful and valuable addition to the work of evangelisation and upbuilding of the Local Church of Clifton.
Since that time and recently I have received reports and information which have cast doubts on the efficacy and desirability of the "Neo-Catechumenal Way" in this diocese. These representations suggest that the methodology of catechesis and evangelisation of the "Way" with its attendant spirituality has been and is a cause of disunity and spiritual harm.
Consequently, as chief Pastor of the Diocese I established a panel of enquiry in January 1996 under the chairmanship of Mr Thomas Millington with the Very Rev. Barnaby Dowling and Mrs Valerie James to investigate the truth of those reports and misgivings.
After carefully considering the findings of this enquiry and extensive consultation with the Diocesan Council of Priests and other advisors, I have decided that the methodology and spirituality of the Neo-Catechumenate have been a cause of serious disunity and spiritual harm among certain of Christ's Faithful and therefore I decree as follows:
| [1] | that the catechetical and evangelisation methods of the "Neo-Catechumenate" are neither beneficial nor appropriate for use in this diocese; |
| [2] | that the "Neo-Catechumenate" is to be discontinued in the Diocese of Clifton, forthwith. |
Given at Clifton, this twenty-eighth day of January in the year of Our Lord 1997 and the nineteenth year of the Supreme Pastorate of Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II.
Bishop of Clifton