People of Praise
![]() |
ecumenical Christian intentional communities[1] | |
Headquarters | South Bend, Indiana, US |
---|---|
Membership | About 1,700[2] |
Website | peopleofpraise |
People of Praise is a network of
People of Praise was formed in 1971 by
People of Praise practices a form of spiritual direction that involves the supervision of a member by a more "spiritually mature" person called a "head". People of Praise maintains that members retain their freedom of conscience under such direction. The community, like the Catholic Church, has few women in leadership positions. It nevertheless encourages women to pursue higher education and employment.[3]
History
The founding of People of Praise by Kevin Ranaghan and Paul DeCelles in 1971 in
Eventually several Catholic covenant communities were formed. After Word of God community formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967, and the True House (1971–1974) and People of Praise communities (1971–present) were formed in South Bend.[8] (Others formed since then include Sword of the Spirit, the Mother of God Community[9] as well as constituent members of the North American Network of Charismatic Covenant Communities.[10][11]) Such communities were influenced by the 1960s Jesus movement, the Shepherding movement, [12] as well as perhaps some of the communitarianism of that era's counterculture.[13]
People of Praise experienced early growth recruiting from major universities and was especially closely connected to the University of Notre Dame.[15] The group helped develop important institutions for the larger Catholic Charismatic movement. Until 1990, the South Bend community was the headquarters for the National Service Committee (a coordinating body for the various Catholic charismatic groups). It was also the headquarters of the Charismatic Renewal Services (a national distribution center for religious books and tapes) and published a magazine called New Heaven, New Earth. It also played a major role in the renewal's annual national conferences.[16] By 1987, People of Praise had around 3,000 members, including children.[17] By the end of the 1980s, Catholics were 92 percent of the membership.[15]
The overall
The group has drawn media interest due to Judge Amy Coney Barrett's association with the group. Numerous media outlets have reported that Barrett is a member. In the wake of heightened interest in the group and its members following her nomination, People of Praise removed some materials from its website: "Recent changes to our website were made in consultation with members and nonmembers from around the country who raised concerns about their and their families' privacy due to heightened media attention."[24][25][26]
Description
People of Praise defines itself as an
People of Praise is not a church. All members of the community simultaneously remain members of their local
Members of the People of Praise engage in weekly meetings that include religious teaching, Scripture readings, witnessing, and prayer for those with needs. Local groups may also hold charismatic prayer meetings and meet for dinner, fellowship and praise and worship. Members also meet in small groups.[32]
Anthropologist Thomas Csordas has written that People of Praise is theologically conservative with a hierarchical leadership structure, but it is also influenced by the communitarianism of the 1960s counterculture.[13]
Covenant
The People of Praise considers itself to be a "covenant community." The community considers the covenant, when entered into among members, to be one of mutual care and service in spiritual, material, and financial matters.[33] The covenant is not an oath or vow; a member is released from it if they believe God is calling them to another way of life.[30] The covenant states:
Therefore, we covenant ourselves to live our lives together in Christ, our Lord, by the power of his spirit. We agree to be a basic Christian community, to find within our fellowship the essential core of our life in the spirit, in worship and the sacraments, spiritual and moral guidance, service, and apostolic activity. We accept the order of this community, which the Lord is establishing with all the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially with the foundational ministry gifts of apostles, pastors, prophets, teachers, and evangelists. We agree to obey the direction of the Holy Spirit manifested in and through these ministries in full harmony with the Church. We recognize in the covenant a unique relationship one to another and between the individual and the community. We accept the responsibility for mutual care, concern, and ministry among ourselves. We will serve one another and the community as a whole in all needs: spiritual, material, financial. We agree that the weekly meeting of the community is primary among our commitments and that we will not be absent except for a serious reason.[34]
Membership is open to all
Organizational leadership
People of Praise is led by an eleven-member all-male board of governors, the chairman of which is the overall coordinator. The board's responsibilities include electing the overall coordinator, establishing new branches, determining official teachings, approving the budget, and approving appointments made by the overall coordinator. Board members serve for six-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.[35]
Each location of the community is called a branch. The larger branches are led by a group of branch coordinators. These branches are divided into areas, which are each led by an area coordinator. The principal branch coordinator serves as the main leader of the branch. Smaller or newer branches are led by a team of branch leaders. All these coordinators or branch leaders are selected from among the covenanted men in a branch.[citation needed] On matters of great importance, consultations involving all full or "covenanted" members of the community guide the direction of the community, including (within a branch) the selection of coordinators. Branch members nominate three people, and one is selected to be a coordinator by the overall coordinator.[36]
Headships and laypastor–penitent relationships
According to Sean Connolly, communications director for People of Praise, functions of lay-pastoral counsellors and
As a charismatic community, People of Praise recognizes
Gender roles
The highest office a woman can hold in the community is "woman leader" (until 2017, "handmaid").
In much of community life, men and women work together without distinction. Both men and women
LGBT people
The organization holds that homosexual activity is a sin and opposes gay marriage. Members who disclose such activity are expelled from the organization, and children of same-gender parents are not allowed into the group's schools.[44][45]
Divisions and affiliated organizations
Campus Division
The Campus Division of the People of Praise is made up of mostly college students. Members live together in student households. Most households hold regular prayer together and often eat together. While some are not in school, most members of the Campus Division attend a variety of colleges and universities, including the
Action Division
According to the organisation's website, the Action Division consists of high school students and adults working together "to bring Christ's love to impoverished communities in real and tangible ways."
WorkLight
WorkLight (Formerly known as Christians in Commerce International) is a movement of business and professional men and women that is dedicated to helping members grow in the Christian life and to influence the world of commerce with the gospel. Although WorkLight operates independently from the People of Praise, the People of Praise movement helped form WorkLight in its initial stages[48] and is actively engaged in its work. WorkLight is organized into 30 local Men's Chapters, Women's Chapters. These chapters have held retreats (Challenge Weekends) that have been attended by over 14,000 men and women.[49]
Trinity Schools
There are three locations:
- Greenlawn, in South Bend, Indiana
- Meadow View, in Falls Church, Virginia
- River Ridge, in Eagan, Minnesota
Brotherhood of the People of Praise
The Brotherhood of the People of Praise is a private association of the Christian faithful with official status in the Catholic Church.[citation needed]
While the People of Praise religious community has no official ties with any Christian church or denomination, a number of Catholic men who are members of this community have sought to regularize their status with the Catholic Church in order to be
Reception
Ralph Martin, the president of
Adrian Reimers, a Catholic theological critic and pioneering member of People of Praise from 1971 until his dismissal from the group in 1985,
Dr Reimers founded the organisation Free Again in Christ to help people leave the People of Praise and similar covenant community groups which Dr Reimers characterises as "particularly powerful means of psychological and social control".[60]
Some former members of People of Praise have described the group's culture as insular to the point that it felt intrusive and controlling, claims that the group's current members dispute.[25][61]
After the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, many articles from mainstream press referred to the People of Praise as a cult.[62][63]
Allegations of child abuse and cover-up
1970s–80s
In October 2020, former member of the community, Sarah Kuehl, said she and others had been sexually abused when children during the 1970s by a community member who lived in her household. (Kuehl's family at the time belonged to Servants of the Lord, a covenant community that later merged with People of Praise.) Kuehl alleged that leaders in the People of Praise later attempted to "hide and cover up" what they knew about the abuse, as they kept her abuser in the People of Praise community.[64]
2000s
In June 2021, the
Internal investigation
In 2020, the coordinator of People of Praise, Craig Lent, said in an e-mail that an expert investigation was being conducted into the allegations. Lent said, "We consider allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and invite anyone with information about any acts of child sexual abuse to act consistent with our policies, which include immediately reporting to the appropriate authorities."[67]
Notable members
- Amy Coney Barrett, associate justice of the United States Supreme Court.[68]
- Christopher Dietzen, a former associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.[71]
- Joe Zakas, a former Indiana state legislator.[72]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Roberts, Judy (September 25, 2020). "The People of Praise Community: What It Actually Is". National Catholic Register. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c Trotta, Daniel. "As U.S. Supreme Court nomination looms, a religious community draws fresh interest". Reuters. Reuters. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c Csordas 1997, pp. 18–19.
- ^ Agnew 1997, p. 319.
- ^ Sean Connolly (November 16, 2008). "Our Roots: Strange Happenings that Made Us Who We Are". Vine and Branches.
- ^ "Living Bulwark". www.swordofthespirit.net.
- ^ Orant, The (September 29, 2020). "Amy Coney Barrett, Stephen B. Clark and the Origins of "Covenant Communities"".
- ^ Reimers, Adrian J. "Not Reliable Guides" – via www.academia.edu.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ a b Thigpen 2002.
- ^ a b "The People of Praise Community: What It Actually Is". NCR.
- ^ "North American Network of Charismatic Communities NAN". www.presentationministries.com.
- ^ Csordas 1997, pp. 80, 89, notes.
- ^ a b c d e f Graham, Ruth (July 3, 2018). "Amy Coney Barrett Is Allegedly a Member of a Religious Group That's Been Called a "Cult"". Slate.com. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ Thigpen 2002, "3. Organization".
- ^ a b Csordas 1997, p. 15.
- ^ Csordas 1997, p. 10.
- ^ "as early as 1987, People of Praise consisted of some 3,000 people including children" Stanley Burgess Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity. Routledge, New York, London, 2006. p. 130.
- ^ "ICCRS". Archived from the original on December 29, 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ "ICCOWE (International Charismatic Consultation on World Evangelisation)". Archived from the original on July 25, 2008.
- ^ "group of charismatic leaders that formed the Charismatic Concerns Committee (CCC) in the early 1970s. The CCC was later re-named the Charismatic Leaders Fellowship," http://www.christianhealingmin.org/whoare.htm Archived March 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Catholic News". Parish World. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ "Modern Pentecostalism". Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2008.
- ^ Fanning the Flame: What Does Baptism in the Holy Spirit Have to Do with Christian Initiation? Edited by George Montague and Killian McDonnell (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1991).
- ^ Wren, Adam (September 27, 2020). "How Amy Coney Barrett's Religious Group Helped Shape a City". POLITICO. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Boorstein, Michelle; Zauzmer, Julie (September 28, 2020). "The story behind Amy Coney Barrett's little-known Christian group People of Praise". Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ "Religious group scrubs all references to Amy Coney Barrett from its website". the Guardian. Associated Press. September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "Official website of the People of Praise". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
- ^ "For Pastors". marriageinchrist.com. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ Csordas 1997, p. 17.
- ^ a b c d Connolly, Sean. "Who We Are: Hard to Understand and That's Ok". People of Praise. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ Spirit and Purpose of the People of Praise People of Praise, Inc., 1986.
- ^ Buechi, Patrick J. (May 23, 2013). "People of Praise Commit Lives to Christian Community". wnycatholic.org. Diocese of Buffalo. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014.
- ^ a b c Spirit and Purpose. People of Praise, 1971.
- ^ DeCelles, Paul (October 15, 1976). "Our Covenant Commitment". People of Praise. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ "Three Elected to Board of Governors". People of Praise. May 16, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ Csordas 1997, p. 16.
- ^ Csordas 1997, p. 18.
- ^ "People of Praise: Hard to Understand and That's OK | People of Praise". peopleofpraise.org.
- ^ "Greenlawn Press: Burning with Love for God | People of Praise". peopleofpraise.org.
- ^ Csordas 1997, pp. 16–17.
- Washington Post.
Connolly said in an email that the group replaced the title of handmaids with 'women leaders' in 2017
- ^ Ed Stetzer (November 11, 2020). "Exclusive Interview: Just Who Are the People of Praise?". Christianity Today.
Leaders are called coordinators, women leaders, ministry leaders, or team leaders.
- ^ Vine & Branches South Bend, IN. 2006.
- ^ Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (October 14, 2020). "Amy Coney Barrett faith group would expel members over gay sex, leader said". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (December 23, 2020). "Faith group linked to Amy Coney Barrett urges leaders to report sexual abuse claims". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ "Our Action program brings together high school students and adults working to bring Christ's love to impoverished communities in real and tangible ways." http://www.admin.peopleofpraise.org/programs
- ^ "Action page of official website of People of Praise". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
- ^ "Our Work page of the official website of People of Praise". Retrieved October 25, 2008.
- ^ "Official Christians in Commerce website". Archived from the original on October 1, 2000. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
- ^ Trinity Schools Website, accessed March 23, 2014.
- ^ "Official website of Trinity Schools". Retrieved May 1, 2007.
- ^ "The 'frontrunner' to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a staunch Catholic who believes marriage is between a man and a woman". September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Several of our single men, including four Catholic priests, are members of the Brotherhood of the People of Praise, an organization with official status in the Catholic Church as a private association of the Christian faithful." https://peopleofpraise.org/[non-primary source needed]
- ^ a b "Pope Names Portland, Oregon Priest As Auxiliary Bishop Of Portland"
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, The (March 4, 2014). "Pope Francis names Father Peter Leslie Smith an auxiliary bishop for Portland archdiocese". oregonlive.
- .
- ^ "ICSA - Founded 1979 - More Than the Devils Due". sites.google.com.
- ^ Mencimer, Stephanie. "It's not anti-Catholic to ask Amy Coney Barrett about her religious group People of Praise".
- ^ "Judge Amy Barrett's charismatic Catholicism- Who are the People of Praise?". Catholic Voice. September 19, 2020.
- ^ "ICSA - Founded 1979 - More Than the Devils Due". sites.google.com.
- ^ Biesecker, Michael; Smith, Michelle (September 29, 2020). "Barrett tied to religious group that ex-members say subordinates women". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ "What is People of Praise? "Cult" tied to Amy Coney Barrett". Newsweek. June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- TheGuardian.com. October 21, 2020.
- ^ Washington Post, "'People of Praise leaders failed me': Christian group tied to Justice Amy Coney Barrett faces reckoning over sexual misconduct", June 11, 2021; retrieved July 9, 2021
- ^ "Legal claims shed light on founder of faith group tied to Amy Coney Barrett". The Guardian. June 6, 2022.
- TheGuardian.com. December 23, 2020.
- ^ Goodstein, Laurie (September 28, 2017). "Some Worry About Judicial Nominee's Ties to a Religious Group". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- Archdiocese of Portland. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ "Pope Francis names Father Peter Leslie Smith an auxiliary bishop for Portland archdiocese". The Oregonian. March 4, 2014.
- ^ "NYT Hit Piece on CA7 Nominee Amy Barrett's Religious Practices—Part 2". National Review. September 29, 2017.
- ^ "Supreme Court opening shines spotlight on local religious group People of Praise | Local | southbendtribune.com". www.southbendtribune.com.
Sources
- Agnew, Mary Barbara (1997). "Charismatic Renewal". In Glazier, Michael; Shelly, Thomas J. (eds.). The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History. Liturgical Press. ISBN 978-0814659199.
- Csordas, Thomas J. (1997). Language, Charisma, and Creativity: The Ritual Life of a Religious Movement. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0520204690.
- LaVergne, Colin (2008). "Can A People of Praise Member Be Fully Catholic?" (Audio CD). Resurrection Communications.
- Ranaghan, Kevin; Dorothy Ranaghan (July–August 2003). "New Move of the Holy Spirit". Goodnews (166). National Service Committees for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England and Ireland. Archived from the original on February 6, 2007.
- Rath, Ralph (1994). Christian Community: A Reporter's Inside Look. South Bend, Indiana: Peter Publications. ISBN 0-9640167-6-1. Archived from the originalon July 18, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2006.
- Thigpen, T. Paul (2002). "Catholic Charismatic Renewal". In Burgess, Stanley M.; Van der Maas, Eduard M. (eds.). ISBN 978-0-310-22481-5.