Hi, Jerry —
The Church believes, as it always
has for 2,000 years, that all the
gifts of the Holy Spirit are ever
present.
That would include Tongues, Prophecy,
Healing, Miracles and so on. We don't believe that tongues must
be the first evidence of the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit,
as our Protestant Charismatic and
Pentecostal brothers believe.
God dispenses gifts to those who
ask, in accord to His will. Therefore,
we believe that some may prophesy
or heal and not necessarily speak
in tongues.
Most classic Catholics are not
used to these manifestations. Although
the gifts have always been with the
Church for many centuries, "tongues"
was a predominantly private experience
not advertised, for lack
of a better term, where as miracles
and prophecy have always been out
in the open for a while.
For the most part, the gift of tongues
is manifested in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, but it is not limited to
that group.
I hope this answers your question.
Under His Mercy,
John DiMascio
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