The People of Hope was recently approved as private
association of the faithful
in the Archdiocese of Newark. Unfortunately, the Church failed to
address or
even consider the concerns and proof of physical, psychological & emotion abuse
on fellow Catholics who were a part of this group before they broke away from
the abusive practices of the Shepherding & Discipleship Movement in this group.
The Archbishop of Newark is being considered as a candidate to replace
retiring Cardinal Egan of New York. Read the article
on Survivor's
Network of those Abused by Priests for more information.
This "new day" for the People of Hope is
a constant reminder
of others being abandoned by the Church.
The following information
was obtained from HOPE documents:
ACCEPTING THE
COVENANT OF THE PEOPLE OF HOPE
Criteria for Public Commitment
Introduction:
In considering whether a particular person is in
a position to accept the covenant, we need to ask "Is this person capable of
responsibly making a the commitment to God and the community that is involved in the
acceptance of the covenant?" To answer this we are concerned with the Person’s
willingness to make the commitment as expressed by his or her objective behavior during
the underway period.
These criteria are intended to provide clear
goals for community members, that these would be progressively embraced fully during the
underway stage. and lived out by those members who have made a public commitment.
I. Relationship With God
Believes God has called
him/her to the People Hope
Christian Basics
Baptized.
Catholic in good standing with the Church.
Orthodox in belief obedient to the teachings of
the Catholic Church.
Free from serious and repeated unrepented
violations of Catholic Doctrine and Morality for at least a year.
A genuine experience of the Holy Spirit’s
presence. power, and gifts ("Baptism in the Holy Spirit").
Other Commitments:
Regular daily prayer (1 hour/day or Mass and 1/2
hour)
Regular participation in the Eucharist.weekly
Regular weekly Scripture study (1 hour)
II. Relationship With The
Community
Has taken the required community courses and
follows community teaching in his/her life. Eagerly seeks wisdom from pastoral leader in
how to do this.
Basic Commitments:
Participates faithfully in community life.
Exhibits a basic readiness to serve.
Is good steward of his time and finances.
Is generous with his financial and material
resources. supports community and outreach financially generously and in a regular
committed way.
Helps the needy in the community as able.
Is faithful to men's or women’s group.
Is brotherly or sisterly with others.
Is at peace with all in the community.
Deals promptly with relationship difficulties and
follows the direction of his pastoral leader in this area.
Brings major problems promptly to his pastoral
leader and eagerly seeks his input.
He is able to live with and relate to others with
Christian love.
III. Family Relationships
Husband wife relationship is in good order
according to Scripture and the teaching of the Church and the teaching of the community.
Husband takes responsibility for his wife and
children.
Wife supports husband in his role as head of the
family. she follows the husband's direction. She exhibits respect, a quiet and gentle
spirit.
As mother and father they seek earnestly to raise
their children as sons and daughters of God.
They maintain obedience and good order in the
home.
They earnestly seek to hand on the faith to their
children.
They lead their children to observe community
teaching as it applies to them.
They seek the input and guidance of their
pastoral leaders in this area and strive to follow it.
IV. Other Important
Considerations
Character
He is of good character.
Without serious psychological
problems that would keep him from being able to live out his commitments in a consistent
way.
Is aware of character weaknesses
and is responsive to pastoral leader's guidance.
Husband and Wife should make the
public commitment together.
Handicapped and Elderly
can make the public commitment even if they cannot participate fully as long as they can
participate in some real way.
