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Fifth National Conference of Trinity Institute Held

Diocesan Press Service. February 28, 1974 [74062]

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Fifth National Conference of Trinity Institute was held both in New York City and in San Francisco. "The Holy Spirit " was the subject and the speakers were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Leon-Joseph Cardinal Suenens, and Frere Roger Schutz, Prior of the Taiz6 Community.

This conference had been arranged during the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Third National Conference in 1972 and the Cardinal's visit at the Fourth National Conference in 1973.

There is a great excitement about the Holy Spirit at this moment which has been growing through the Charismatic (or Pentecostal) Movement. This movement is in need of theological guidance, sacramentalization, and incorporation into the life of the Church.

Michael Ramsey is not only the Archbishop of Canterbury but an excellent and articulate theologian. It is by no means certain that future Archbishops will be considered for lecturing at the Institute because they may be more gifted in administration.

Archbishop Ramsey took as his subject, "The Holy Spirit in the New Testament." He has never been more winsome, warm, and powerful; he has never spoken with greater authority than in these lectures. The reception of his presentation was overwhelming.

Cardinal Suenens, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, has become the chief patron of the Charismatic Movement in the Roman Catholic Church. His utterances were simple and extremely personal, as much a testimony as a theological presentation. His function was to bear witness to the new life which the movement has brought.

The Prior of Taize was imported as a charismatic person. Even though he spoke through an interpreter, he was perceived as a holy man, a man of the Holy Spirit. In order to let this come through, one whole evening, both in New York and in San Francisco, was given to a forum in which he responded to questions from those present. His power, which created the Taize Community of Protestant monks in France, that drew 18,000 young people from over 80 countries to their Easter celebration, could be felt. The Prior, who has had another bout of heart trouble and was traveling with a doctor (a member of the Taize Community), insisted on being present at all the events.

The opening Eucharists were thronged. The Archbishop presided and preached at both of them. In New York he concelebrated with the 40 bishops who remained for the Fifth National Conference after attending the two-day Seminar for Bishops which preceded the conference. The choir was made up of over 100 monks and nuns of the Episcopal Church. Every seat in Riverside Church was taken, and the aisles were full of people standing. The attendance was some 3,000.

In San Francisco, the same response occurred. Six western bishops were present. Grace Cathedral was filled (2,000), and standees lined the aisles.

The total recorded registrations of clergy, religious, seminarians, and some wives was 1,719; 1,326 in New York and 393 in San Francisco. The actual attendance was over that, because many "dropped in." This was especially notable in San Francisco where over 500 were regularly present at lectures.

There is a danger in judging this event in numbers. It may even be that this event was too big. The value is in the unmeasurable strength of the impulse which this conference gives to the life of the church. What is important for the future of this venture is not the development of this present pattern, but the persistence of an imaginative response to what the Spirit is doing in the church. This is more a matter of perception and prayer than planning.