Charismatic Catholics ‘rejoice’ in election of Pope Leo XIV

Bishop David Oakley told The Tablet: “We pray the Holy Spirit will continue to guide Pope Leo XIV in his desire that we become missionary disciples, enabling others to find a personal relationship with Jesus.”

A bishop has shared his hopes that Pope Leo XIV will follow in the footsteps of his papal namesake predecessor and promote devotion to the Holy Spirit.

Bishop of Northampton David Oakley, an Episcopal Advisor for Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England and Wales, hopes the new Pope can make a similar impact to Pope Leo XIII who was called on by Italian nun Sister Elena Guerra, the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, in October 1900 to sing the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus and consecrate the 20th century to the Holy Spirit.

He did so in St Peter’s Basilica on 1 January 1901 and also introduced the annual Pentecost novena to be prayed between Ascension and Pentecost.

Bishop Oakley told The Tablet: “We rejoice in the election of Pope Leo XIV, reminding ourselves that Pope Leo XIII entrusted the 20th century to the Holy Spirit.  We pray the Holy Spirit will continue to guide Pope Leo XIV in his desire that we become missionary disciples, enabling others to find a personal relationship with Jesus.”

Michelle Moran, co-founder of the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelization, highlighted the “amazing” significance of the name chosen by the new Pontiff. Moran told The Tablet: “What an amazing prompt of the Holy Spirit that our new Pope should choose the name Leo. His predecessor Pope Leo XIII consecrated the 20th century to the Holy Spirit.

“Through the encouragement of St Elena Guerra, he introduced the Pentecost Novena, wrote the prayer to St Michael and the famous encyclical Rerum Novarum, a foundational text of Catholic Social Teaching.”

Moran, who was personally appointed by Pope Francis to form a team which would establish CHARIS, the unique International service of Communion for Catholic Charismatic Renewal. expressed hopes that the new Pope would “continue the legacy of being open to the extraordinary prompting of the Holy Spirit, fostering unity and communion and protecting the rights of all who are in need or marginalised”.

Abhy Thomas, coordinator of CHARIS England and Wales, commented that the new Pope “envisions a missionary Church”, saying: “Pope Leo XIV calls us to be a Church that builds bridges, embraces dialogue, and reaches out with love to all. He envisions a missionary Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, bringing peace and hope to the world.”

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