Bishop Jose Elmer Belmonte, accompanied by his wife, Citadel, Fr. Dominador Dimalanta and
Venice Acebo of the Church of St. Mark (CEC–Venice), visited the Chiesa Cattolica Carismatica
Italiana in the region of Calabria, located in southern Italy. During the visit, Venice Acebo served as
Bishop Belmonte’s translator and interpreter.
The church maintains a modest chapel and rectory in San Giovanni in Fiore, where Archbishop
Salvatore Corrado resides together with several friars who serve as full-time ministers. During an
evening charismatic service attended by approximately twenty people, many experienced the
infilling of the Holy Spirit as the bishops and priests laid hands on them in prayer.
On Saturday, nearly one hundred people gathered in Crotone for the church’s annual festival
honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration began with a solemn procession, followed by an
outdoor Mass and a joyful gathering featuring music, food, and fellowship.
To conclude Bishop Belmonte’s visit, a Sunday Mass was celebrated in a historic church building
graciously made available free of charge by its owner. The visit proved to be a wonderful and
enriching experience for all involved. Though modest in size, the church has established several
missions throughout Italy and Germany, as well as an orphanage in Cameroon.
Despite the fact that only a few members spoke English—the presence and work of the Holy Spirit
were clearly manifested throughout the visit. The shared faith, worship, and fellowship strengthened
the bonds between the communities and highlighted the unity of believers despite cultural and
linguistic differences.
Archbishop Corrado and the members of the church have expressed their desire to become part of
the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church through the Diocese of Europe.
This aspiration reflects their commitment to fostering closer ecclesial ties and deepening their
fellowship with the wider ICCEC family.
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