new religious movements
THE VATICAN REPORT
SECTS OR NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS: A PASTORAL CHALLENGE
May 3rd, 1986
FOREWORD
In response to the concern expressed by Episcopal Conferences throughout the world, a study on the presence and activity of "sects," "new religious movements," [and] "cults" has been undertaken by the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, the Secretariat for Non-Christians, the
Secretariat for Non-Believers and the Pontifical Council for Culture.
These departments, along with the Secretariat of State, have shared this concern for quite some time.
As a first step in this study project, a questionnaire (cf. Appendix) was sent out in February, 1984, to episcopal Conferences and similar bodies by the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity in the name of the forementioned departments of the Holy See, with the aim of gathering reliable information and indications for pastoral action, and exploring further lines of research. To date (October, 1985), many replies have been received by Episcopal Conferences on all continents, as well as from regional Episcopal bodies. Some replies include detailed information from particular dioceses and were accompanied by copies of pastoral letters, booklets, articles, and studies.
It is clearly not possible to summarize the vast documentation received, and which will need to be constantly updated as a basis for a constructive pastoral response to the challenge presented by the sects, new religious movements, and groups. The present report can only attempt to give a first overall picture,
This report is divided as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Reasons for the spread of these movements and groups.
3. Pastoral challenges and approaches.
4. Conclusion.
5. Invitation from the 1985 Synod.
6. Questions for further study and
SECTS OR NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS: A PASTORAL CHALLENGE
May 3rd, 1986
FOREWORD
In response to the concern expressed by Episcopal Conferences throughout the world, a study on the presence and activity of "sects," "new religious movements," [and] "cults" has been undertaken by the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, the Secretariat for Non-Christians, the
Secretariat for Non-Believers and the Pontifical Council for Culture.
These departments, along with the Secretariat of State, have shared this concern for quite some time.
As a first step in this study project, a questionnaire (cf. Appendix) was sent out in February, 1984, to episcopal Conferences and similar bodies by the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity in the name of the forementioned departments of the Holy See, with the aim of gathering reliable information and indications for pastoral action, and exploring further lines of research. To date (October, 1985), many replies have been received by Episcopal Conferences on all continents, as well as from regional Episcopal bodies. Some replies include detailed information from particular dioceses and were accompanied by copies of pastoral letters, booklets, articles, and studies.
It is clearly not possible to summarize the vast documentation received, and which will need to be constantly updated as a basis for a constructive pastoral response to the challenge presented by the sects, new religious movements, and groups. The present report can only attempt to give a first overall picture,
This report is divided as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Reasons for the spread of these movements and groups.
3. Pastoral challenges and approaches.
4. Conclusion.
5. Invitation from the 1985 Synod.
6. Questions for further study and
Bibliography: of New Religious Movements. Aarhus, Denmark (1977-). Centre de Documentation du CNRS, 1970- Missionalia Pontifical Library Propaganda Fide. Bibliographia Missionaria. Rome (see from Anno XL - 1976 to Anno XLVII - 1983). Secretariat for Non-Believers. Ateismo e Dialogo. Vatican (see from Anno XIV - June 2, 1979 to date). Queriniana: Brescia, 1976. Batz, K. . Hinduism. Zurich-Koln, 1979. Evangelisation, 1951. Needleman, Jacob. . Seabury Press, 1978. VELKD-Arbeitskreis, 1978. Rudin, James and Rudin, Marcia. . Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980. Vernette, Jean. . (Centurion edition), 1981. Center for Japanese Studies. 8 XXVI. Michigan, 1983. Pentecostal Group in Urban Malaysia." No. 4, 1980. 1977-Jan. 1978). of Henri-Charles Puech. Paris: Gallimard, 1976. (Summer 1980). Cuadernos de ISER, 1975. Prado, Juan Guillermo. Covadonga edition: Santiago, 1984. Samain, Etienne. "Bibliographia Sobre Religiosidade popular." Hucitec: Sao Paulo, 1977. Schlesinger, Hugo and Porto, Humberto. Paulinas ed: Sao Paulo, 1982. Gallimard: Paris, 1976.