The initial phase of catechesis in the Neocatechumenal Way (NCW) consists of fifteen catechetical sessions, followed by a weekend “Convivence” (from the Spanish, “convivencia”, meaning “living together” or “coexistence”) retreat where a new NCW community will be “born”. These sessions, called “days” in the Catechetical Directory of the NCW, follow this schema:
Here are some critiques of the content of these sessions as they are detailed in the first volume of the Catechetical Directory of the NCW:
- [1st Day] Jesus’s Clay vs. Kiko’s Mud – Kiko twists a famous bible story in order to provide a principle of his catechumenate.
- [3rd day] “Excuse me, may I ask a question?” – Details about Kiko’s troubling teaching about “natural religiosity” taken directly from the first volume of the Catechetical Directory
- [3rd day] Kiko’s History of the Catholic Church – Something, or quite a lot of things are missing in his version…
- [3rd day, 4th day, 10th day, and Final Convivence] Kiko’s Last Judgment – a critical look at Kiko’s teachings and iconography on the General (Last) Judgment
- [4th day] Unsalted, Unenlightened. We’re Judas! – The third circle, those who criticize the Way. The development of the NCW’s persecution complex.
- [4th day] Judas is saved! – A critical look at Kiko’s Doctrine of the Necessary Judas, and another esoteric teaching.
- [5th day] The Fifth Night – Kiko’s catechists have a cynical view of your experience of God that you’ll share with them during this session.
- [7th day] Judge Not? – Three problems with teaching about judging others.
- [12th day] Kiko’s Abraham: A Father and a Failure. The Neocatechumenal Way begins it attempt to convince you that you are a failure and that your family is your idol.
- [14th day] Critiquing Kiko’s Kerygma – Why does Kiko’s kerygma seem to deliberately exclude the possibility of purgatory?
- [Final Convivence and 3rd day] Kiko’s Passover Problem, Part I – If Kiko is wrong about the celebration of the Passover in first century Palestine, how could he be right about the worship of the first century Christians?
- [Final Convivence] Kiko’s Passover Problem, Part II – Wherein Kiko’s teaching is found to contradict that of four Doctors of the Church.
- [Final Convivence] Taking a red pen to heresy – An example of a grave error that was removed from the original Catechetical Directory prior to its “approval”.
Tags: Camino Neocatecumenal, Cammino Neocatecumenale
The Pope LOVES what the Neocatechumenal Way is providing regardless of a few so-called mistranslated exerts of the initial catechesis . Long live Kiko!
“mistranslated exerts (sic)”??
No, Ralph, the quotations are verbatim from the original English…just pull out your copy to check.
Amen, Long live the new evangelization!!
Hello Chuck !!
I’m a Catholic from Iraq, and I’m in the NCW since a year and a half, and I want to leave this way.
When I first joined, I was very happy, but some time ago I began to discover things that I didn’t like (most of them on your blog and thanks to you) especially the things that happen in the scrutinies. My question is: how can I get the catechetal directories ? because “my chatechests” suerly won’t give me a copy or lend me one..
I hope you can help me with this.
pray for me..
Fadi, you are in a cult, and you need to get out. Having said that, all thirteen volumes are not available, but one can get the first four volumes (out of 13) in Italian by googling:
“Orientamenti alle equipes di catechisti” neocatecumenale filetype:PDF
Thanks a lot Chuck !
I’m sure these will be helpful (after getting them translated of course), and I assure you that I’ve left this cult forever. Another thing is, that I’m a bit afraid of starting to tell people about what this way really is, because I’ll face many problems… do you recommend anything ?
thanks again !
pray for Iraqi christians.
Dear Fadl:
In the first place, I pray often for our brothers and sisters who have suffered so much in Iraq.
As for the so-called scrutinies, such a procedure has never been allowed in the Church. As far back as the fifth century Pope Leo the Great (440-461) forbade any such manifestations or questioning regarding the personal sins of members of the Church. These are matters for Confession, which has the guarantee of the sacramental seal. I hope you have already left that sect, and I pray that the Lord will give you much strength to bear witness to him in the difficult situation that exists in Iraq, although are present it seems to be improving.
“ As for the so-called scrutinies, such a procedure has never been allowed in the Church.”
The neocat scrutinizes come from the ancient scrutinies of baptism that are seen today in the church. Kiko didn’t just make them up. They are not new.
TScrutinies are certainly not new, but the bullying nature of Kiko’s scrutinies is quite new. Study church history.
I am just running into this site. And I hope after these years have passed that you have experienced the Love of God in spite of the fact that you consciously wanted to do harm by wanting to translate the the mamotretos because somehow you think that there is a mistake. I do not know what you have received that scandalized you or simply you did not accept what you heard and it touched your ego.
Nonetheless, you can’t argue with the fact that these catechesis came into the life of many at a moment that we needed to receive a word of hope. I’ve walked for 30 years and I see the wonders of the Lord in my life, marriage, etc. The Way is not for everyone but to say that it is a cult is you not being in communion with the Catholic Church (the POPE) that has approved this new way of evangelization, that goes back to its roots of small communities (St. Paul Letters). You, thinking that you know better than God and the Holy Spirit, which has inspired a few people to spread the Good News and reach millions around the world. Many who have given up their securities for the love of the other so that they may receive a word of salvation and hope. You are in your freedom to despise what God has put in front of you but you will do more harm to yourself spiritually by wanting to harm those that have accepted this charism in their lives or any future brothers. Woe to you!!!
The Church has approved the Statutes of the Neocatechumenal Way, but that is not a blanket endorsement of everything Kiko Arguello says and does.
Let’s start with his penchant for eisegesis. Take a good look at Kiko’s interpretation of the story of the man born blind in the 9th chapter of the Gospel of John, and compare it to the interpretation of the Church Fathers. The Fathers contradict Kiko!
I know this is an old article but can someone help me. I finished the 15 talks and they want me to attend the weekend convivence. Am I going to be asked to share my sins or “cross” in front of everyone this weekend if I attend? This is not something I am confortable with.
No, they won’t ask you to share your sins at this convivence. That comes later.
Hi Chuck,
We are in the belly of this beast here in New Mexico. There is full protection for the neocats since the bishop (Baldacchino) is running the show. Most people are unaware of what this thing even is. I for one have been nearly consumed by proving it wrong. However, we are powerless here. All of the antics that you speak of are at play and I have heard them spoken in the homilies by the Bishop himself. The secretive part is on another level, even transforming one of the cathedral school rooms into their own chapel, complete with blue carpet, clear seats, and the kiko icons. We are 5 years deep into this bishopric, I would certainly love to get my hands on the catechesis manual to be able to combat them.