The South Bend Tribune from South Bend, Indiana • 30

t'T ri yrri tYy'rHTrM FVnrr v-rw'vyEnrj" r'Yvn The South Bnd Tribune Sundoy, August 7, 1977 Charismatics: United or hell-bent for schism? TT You would think that Adam and Eve are more fundamental to their faith than Jesus Christ Himself." Rowland admitted that a lot of our beliefs go contrary to what is going on (with womens liberation) today. Scripture says the man is the head of the household, and that women are to support their husbands. A lot of people are apt to take this loosely. Besides, Rowland added, a relationship in which the wife supports the husband in work does not mean she is inferior. But Dr.

Ford insists that the People of Praise and Word of God (Ann Arbor) communities do treat women as inferiors. She cited as an example a community practice that women may not step outside the traditional female roles when seeking jobs. A South Bend woman I know of wanted to become a doctor, but it was recommended instead that she become a nurse, she add(d. Rev. Danielson and other critics of the Charismatics stress they have a very positive attitude about the potential of the movement," but maintain significant differences with current leadership.

Communities in South Bend, Ann Arbor and elsewhere often leave discordant voices no choice but leaving the movement. Considering that the current leadership an eight-member National Service Committee fills its own vacancies, there seems little chance for a change in philosophy that would overcome current conflicts. Rev. Danielson and others say the only hope is for the Charismatics to work more closely within the church structure, and for the (ad hoc) committee of bishops and local diocesan bishops to become familiar enough with the communities to help overcome conflicts. "Otherwise, the potential for a very serious factionalism is very great," he said.

for one, and many of the Charismatics are dissatisfied with many of the decisions that have been made, and feel it is time for a new voice to bo heard." By WHITNEY SMITH Tribune Staff Wrtter To some, the Charismatic Renewal has "the best potential for uniting Christians in and out of the major denominations. To others, certain practices destine the movement hell-bent for schism. Such is the conflict facing many Christians who are concerned for the future of their faith. Critics have raised some of the most ardent questions about a religious movement since Rev. Sun Myung Moons Unification Church.

They are concerned not only because the renewal has revitalized religion for millions of Christians, but because serious conflicts have arisen out of the Charismatic communities. There is definitely the potential for a very serious factionalism within the movement, said Rev. Dan Danielson, C.S.C., vicar for Catholic Charismatics for the Diocese of Oakland, Calif. This is even more legitimate a concern than it was a few years ago when criticisms were first made. At first, hard-line Catholics balked at accepting the movement Traditionalists said the swaying bodies, waving hands and verbal outbursts of praise from worshippers seem ire of an emotional response to Cod than an internal one, and therefore seem more Charismatic than Catholic.

Rut as Catholics are becoming more familiar with the movement, gradually they are accepting it. Dope Raul VI himself and many bishops have adopted an attitude of what Rev. Danielson called cautious optimism. Indu'd, the focus of criticism has changed. Most criticism today is aimed at residential Charismatic communities, rather than the worldwide movement from which the communities have emerged.

Former community members claim "authoritarianism in communities such as South Bend's KOb-member Reople of Rraise is in some ways unhealthy for its members. Catholics attack community prayer practices as unacceptable replacements for time-honored traditions such as the private confessional. Still others attack as unsound a fundamentalist attitude toward women, which they said results from a "too-literal interpretation" of male and female roles defined in Scripture. Community members claim much criticism of the Charismatics stems from unfamiliarity with what the community is and what their lives are like. South Bends Reople of Praise community, for example, has been a puzzle to many local residents.

Thats unusual, considering Reople of Praise has been used as a model for other communities like it across the country, and that South Bend is communications headquarters for the worldwide Charismatic movement. Few know about the community because the members are content to "live and let live." When they do talk about the community to outsiders, its like listening to attorneys plead a case before a judge. They weigh every word. Theyre careful to the point of being defensive and tight-lipped to the point of convincing you they have something to hide. Even if they don't.

Charismatics have boon lambasted for everything from getting excited about Cod to exorcising evil spirits a practice they call deliverance." So strong has been the onslaught of criticism that the Charismatics have become calloused, almost unresponsive to it Asked why they have remained so aloof, Tom Noe. community member, respond'd they are only interested in fulfilling their commitment as a community: to put the Christian tenets a lot of persons talk about into -practice in their daily lives. According to Charismatic ('(inference Coordinator Tony Rowland, critics take potshots at the People of ITaise out of ignorance of what it is really like. Still, some of the most ardent critics were once Charismatics themselves. An example is Brad (not his real name), who left a People of Praise household after living there for nearly a year." Brad, 20, quit the community because, among other reasons, it restricted my lifestyle.

When Brad wasnt working, community prayer sessions, recruitment meetings and other activities crowded his free time. Brad and the rest of the Charismastic family pooled their paychecks in the household fund for food and lodging expenses, but received only $8 each week for outside expenses. The evil spirit of pride was exorcised from Brad, he said, in a required deliverance" session before a room full of others at the LaSalle Hotel. For a year, he was not permitted to date anyone outside the community, he said. If he chose to date inside the community, it had to be with the intention of looking for a wife, and he had to receive permission from his "head" (spiritual advisor.) They wanted me to quit my job, which I really enjoy, to come to work for them in the LaSalle building.

I think I should decide things about my career and marriage. In a sense, they tried to control my life. Such practices have been calk'd "authoritarian" by Dr. William G. Storey, a Notre Dame theology professor who left the movement in 1970.

Another Notre Dame faculty member. Dr. Josephine M. Ford, has written more than 31) articles and books explaining and criticizing tin Charismatics. Her most outspoken objections concern the treatment of women in the communities.

Dr. Ford, an associate professor of theology who is now on sabbatical in California, was expelled from the movement six years ago for being disruptive. There is an incredible subordination of women in the communities," said Dr. Ford "There are male and female roles which community members interpret too literally from New Testament scripture, particularly Paul. tom.

South Bend: Heart of movement households in the South Bend area. Families, single persons and children live in total communion, sharing household chores, cars and pay-checks. What the communities are doing, according to one former People of Praise member, is to bring people together in Gods name the way church parishes used to do. Its a very radical thing nowadays, and people just dont understand. Thats why there is so much hostility toward them.

Charismatics really think they are in a life and death battle with Satan, he said. "Theyre out there fighting for men's souls. Soul saving will continue to be a long and ardous battle for the Charismatics, and there is every indication they are growing more powerful, and more relentless at their art. The success.jthey have had in amassing great lumbers into their ranks through ecumenical conferences and ubiquitous prayer groups is self-evident. What growth CCR will achieve in its second decade and the role South Bend will play in the entire movement is something no one can predict for sure.

Continued from page one apparently are fulfilling this commitment through the People of Praise Community, started here six years ago by a handful of Notre Dame graduate students. People of Praise began, according to community member Tom Noe, because a lot of things in the Christian experience can only happen in a community. For instance, in a community the Charismatic can put to practice such tenets as brotherly love. Many community members live in the approximately 45 Charismatic Charismatic drive big business Charismatics live together sharing faith, good times Family life Solitude LaSalle prayer room Bv DAVID HELEN inbam' Staff Writer Make no mistake about it. Charismatic Renewal Services Inc.

(CRS) is big business in South Bond. The non-profit organization distributes religious books, pamphlets, records, tapes and teaching materials around the nation and world. Last year South Bends CRS office took in nearly $2.5 million. Combined with its sister office in Ann Arbor, the organization took in $3.6 million. CRS is virtually the communications arm of the entire Charismatic Renewal movement.

Besides distributing religious items, CRS organizes Charismatic conferences, like the one in Kansas City last month which attracted some 45,000 Charismatics from around the country. The organization is run by persons from three separate bodies: South Bonds People of Praise Charismatic community, the Word of God community in Ann Arbor and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR). CRS is registered with state officials in both Indiana and Michigan as a not-for-profit corporation. Its books are audited yearly, and it must file detailed financial reports with the government. Clem A.

Walters is CRS vice president and treasurer. He was a vice president with the Associates Corp. in South Bend for 15 years before leaving the firm in 1974 to devote all his time to CRS. During Walters first year with CRS, sales rose 50 per cent and have been up every year since. CRS is an outreach of the People of Praise, he said.

It is an evangelistic arm. We could be standing on a street comer and grabbing people or we could be doing this. We are doing both. The organization has been accused by some of placing too much emphasis on making money. Walters Is quick to rebuff those claims.

We feel this is what God wants us to be doing. If for some reason the Lord doesnt want a CRS, he can stop it anytime. And I dont want to sound flip, but we can all go back to what we were doing before, he said. The paychecks of many CRS employes especially some of the leaders like Walters are substantially smaller now than they were before they joined the organization and had outside jobs. Thats because of( the CRS payroll concept, a radical departure from most corporations.

This is going to blow your mind," Walters said. The why our payroll works, its possible for soipeone working in the stockroom to be making more money than the president Of the company. Its not the traditional system. Walters said the CRS payroll system is a truly Christian concept. Basically, CRS employees are paid according to their state in life.

There is a set pay scale, with single men and women paid the least. Married couples are paid more, married persons with one child under five years old still more, and so on. South Bends LaSalle Hotel, 237 N. Michigan serves as headquarters for CRS, which purchased it in 1975 for Salle Hotel and that CRS is still a non-profit organization. The organization had been tax exempt before 1976, when it operated out of two buildings on Eddy Street.

A hearing date for the suit has yet to be established. Besides the non-profit aspects there is a for-profit business in South Bend related to CRS. LaSalle Master Builders Construction Company was started in 1974, Walters said, because there was a need for a Christian construction company, with a wholesome atmosphere." The firm employs seven People of Praise members and will complete several homes in the South Bend area this year. LaSalle Master Builders lost money its first several years in operation. The company operated out of the LaSalle Hotel and was subsidized by People of Praise for its first three years, Walters said.

This spring, the firm was absorbed into the Real Estate Exchange Corp. in South Bend, which is operated by two members of the People of Praise. There had to be a breaking point, Walters said. People of Praise just couldnt afford It. Master Builders were getting plenty of business but they were underfinanced.

$150,000. The LaSalle houses the following Charismatic affiliates: -CRS. National Communications Office of the Catholic Renewal Service Committee, which serves as a liaison coordinator for all Catholic charismatic prayer groups in the country. Apostolic Institute, a center for Christian education and research. LaSalle Bookstore, owned by CRS, which sells Christian literature, music, teaching materials and religious gifts.

LaSalle Restaurant, an eatery for those inside and outside the movement. A household of 25 People of Praise members who live on several floors of the building. In July of this year, CRS and the LaSalle Hotel ran into tax problems with the state. The Indiana Board of Tax Commissioners ruled in early July that the LaSalle Hotel is not eligible to be exempt from 1976 Indiana property taxes there. The ruling followed a similar ruling by the St.

Joseph County Board of Tax Review. CRS has fill'd a suit in circuit court here against the state tax board, claiming that CRS activities have not changed since it moved into the La not all related, they pool their pay-checks each week and are given personal allotments based on need. Chris then pays the rent, utility, and food bills for the family. Finances in households in the People of Praise Community vary, depending on the consensus reached by the members. But, usually finances are handled in a manner similar to the Rowland household.

When the paychecks are pooled, a certain percentage is set aside in a fund to be used if the individual decides to leave. The family type atmosphere Chris finds so appealing was apparent as the unusual assortment of people gathered round the dining room table. Before the household sat down to dinner, the air was filled with the whispering of 13 simultaneous conversations with the Lord. Then together they broke into a prayer, spoken almost routinely. At dinner, Mrs.

Rowland apologized because it was not serv ed punctually at 5:30, as is household custom. Chicken, rice, green beans and peaches were served on unmatching plates and saucers the everyday set was on its way to Belgium. After dinner the household moved from the dining room to the air-conditioned living room to pray. The living room was even more sparsely furnished than the dining room. All that re maim'd was a piano and one red sofa, on which Mrs.

Rowland seated herself. The rest of the members formed a circle on the floor. Chris, the 18-year-old son of the Rowlands, took his guitar out of the case and began tuning it. They sang from worn prayer books strewn on the floor. Some members lifted their hands up and swayed back and forth, as if in a trance, while others just closed their eyes and praised the Lord.

Alleluia, Lord Jesus," and we give you praise and glory, and I love you Lord hummed through the air on that hot summer night as the members chanted their individual prayers. Next they selected passages from scripture, relating what they read to problems and experiences in their everyday lives. The prayer session ended with a spirited singing of Alleluia complete with maracas. One by one, they left the room. Seated alone on the carpet was Mrs.

Rowland, who with her soft French accent, told of how she came to be a Charismatic. She said the first time she attended a prayer meeting. five years ago, she felt a "very genuine authenticity of the presence of God. "Eve heard scripture all my life, but before it was just words. Now it has come alive.

Mrs. Rowland said it was not a hard decision choosing to live a life in common with other people. Once you give your life and your heart to the Lord, you naturally live according to the scripture. Although the role of women in the Charismatics life is something most members are reluctant to talk about, Mrs. Rowland discussed It, but not without carefully choosing each word.

She added that it was a very touchy subject. The women in the Charismatic household are given charge of cooking, cleaning and takipg care of the children. Tony Rowland said they follow literally the roles for men and women set forth in the scripture. What my husband and I do is talk things over and make a decision together. Nevertheless, the father has the responsibility of raising the family," Mrs.

Rowland said. Although critics have attacked Charismatics for requiring women to submit to their husbands and heads of household, Mrs. Rowland said there is a lot of misunderstanding about the word submission. The key to it is said slowly. My husband and I are of the same mind and heart to serve the Lord.

I know his mind so well that I can make a decision without his presence. Mrs. Rowland explained that this is submission. Betty Raven, another household member, also discussed her views concerning the roles of men and women. Betty, a Notre Dame graduate student who has an electrical engineering job at Bendix said she thinks a lot of the womens liberation movement specifically their stance on abortion is "crazy.

She added she did not think a person should pursue a career just for the sake of pursuing a career, saying she would quit work if she got married. After prayers at the Charismatic household, all was quiet. The dishes were done and some members were outside in the backyard trying to make ihe heat bearable by talking, laughing and enjoying each others company. Glancing over her shoulder at the joyful household, Mrs. Rowland said, They really do have a good time." to By KATHLEEN HARSH Tribune Staff Writer Dinners over.

While thats the time most American families clear away the dishes and tune in Walter Cronkite, the family at 1304 llillcrest moves to the living room and tunes in the Lord. This is not your ordinary American household. The home on llillcrest is one of more than 30 households in the 800-member People of Praise Community, an extension of the Charismatic Renewal. Outside' the spacious brick house are clusters of shade trees. Inside, 18 persons put to practice the Christian principles a lot of other people just talk about.

You came at a very bad time, said Mrs. Colette Rowland, the wife of the head of the household, as she bustled through the dining room in a bright yellow caftan. Everyone in the household and that includes her family of eight, four Notre Dame students and a second grade teacher rushed about as they prepared to leave for the Charismatic Renewal Conference in Kansas City. Mrs. Rowlands husband and a few other residents were on their way to the conference.

As if that wasnt enough to disrupt the unusually routine household, the Rowland family is preparing to move to Belgium, where they will help organize international Charismatic prayer groups. Despite empty chairs and the sense of change that pervaded the atmosphere of the household, life continued as if everything were normal. Most days, the family follows a rigid schedule: prayer at 6 a m. and breakfast at 7. During the day, they separate for work or household chores.

Residents are encouraged to spend their free time together. They are given only one free night each week, according to household head Tony Rowland. They meet every night for the evening meal. In the minutes before dinner started, Chris Meehan, a senior at Notre Dame, explained why he moved into the household over a year ago. I like the environment a lot better here than at Notre Dame," he said, comfortably on a piece of furniture in the dining room.

Drinking is a big thing at Notre 1-Dame, and youre nowhere if you 1 'dont have1 a girlfriend. Here, theres more of a family-type atmosphere. Chris handles all finances in the "household. Although members are Behind the scenes 1 1 Kathleen Harsh, David Hulen and Whitney Smith are this summers city desk interns for The Tribune. For the past three months they have researched the Charismatic Renewal in South Bend as a part of the annual Intern project.

Miss Harsh, of South Bend, studied Charismatic households while Hulen, of LaGrange, investigated the financial backbone of the movement. Smith, of Cincinnati, Ohio, examined major areas of criticism through interviews with community members. Copy desk interns Helen Verongos, of Mishawaka, and Marcy Kovas, of South Bend, were responsible for editing and page layout. All are journalism majors at Indiana University, Bloomington, where Miss Harsh, Smith, and Miss Verongos are seniors, Hulen is a junior, and Miss Kovas is a sophomore. A i i.