The principal purpose for the Synod of Bishops, which commenced Oct. 7, is to study how the New Evangelization affects the mission of the Church. The Holy Father has asked the synod to study about "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith." As the theme indicates, the focus is on the "transmission" of the faith. Both Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have identified the New Evangelization as the response to how the Church transmits the Christian faith, considering the challenges confronting believers in today’s world.
Why Does the Holy Father
Need to Call a Synod?
The bishops of the Church, in unity with Peter’s successor, and as successors to the apostles, were given a promise by Jesus Christ — I will be with you until the end of time (John 14:16, 26). This promise is given in relationship to the mission entrusted to their care: to teach and baptize all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). When the bishops are assembled by mandate of the pope, amazing things happen. We see this in the Acts of the Apostles, when pastoral questions were raised and answers needed to be given (Acts 15). The apostolic ministry the bishops exercise in the name of Jesus Christ shoulders them with the burdens and joys of shepherding with authority over the flock, with the same love that the Good Shepherd has for the flock — and with the mission to teach and baptize all nations.
We profess our faith in an apostolic Church for a reason. The successors to the apostles, discerning with the ordained and non-ordained the needs of the Church and how to respond to those needs, are the ones who are called to definitively and authentically teach and baptize all nations.
The Synod of Bishops represents a way for the Holy Father to bring bishops together to address matters of the Church in light of the Tradition of the Church and what the word of God has revealed. We should then not look at a synod as a bureaucratic process or a waste of time, but a very important moment in the life of the Church, because the Holy Spirit will bring the bishops the direction, insight and even resolution we need to advance the mission of the Catholic Church.
Do Catholics Understand Evangelization?
Shortly after the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI convened a synod to define what we Catholics mean by "evangelization." The term, although as ancient as the Church, was ambiguous for many, and even today it does not always speak to a Catholic’s sense of mission. What does evangelization mean? Pope Paul VI’s post-synodal exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi (Evangelization in the Modern World) gave the Church sound theological principles that surely guide our understanding of what we mean by evangelization. I would encourage parishes and lay apostolate movements to read through the document as our bishops meet in Rome. This document provides the framework for understanding the principles of evangelization. Now we need to discern "how" evangelization occurs.
The Crisis of Evangelization
The 2012 synod is concerned about "transmitting" the Christian faith. In the so-called developed countries of the West, particularly Europe and the United States, we have technology, social communications, the ability to publish so many materials and to make the Christian faith accessible with all of these technologies. Yet it is here where the Church finds the most difficulty in truly evangelizing people. Why is this?
There is a crisis of evangelization because there is a crisis in the fundamental understanding of what it means to be a person, what true freedom means, the role of family and marriage in the promotion of culture, and the role of faith in culture. How can the Church evangelize when there appears to be a rejection of the natural law? The success of evangelization is when the preaching of the Gospel finds points of reference within culture in which there is a receptivity for the Gospel. There is a cultural crisis in so many parts of the world.
The crisis of evangelization can also be found within the Church. The misinterpretation of the Second Vatican Council has resulted in confusion for so many believers. Consequently, there are many Catholics who do not understand the true nature of the Eucharist, the priesthood of Christ, the institution of marriage, the significance of mortal sin, and so on.
How can Catholics transmit their faith when they do not understand or maybe not even believe in it?
The synod will surely address how Catholics are being formed in their faith in order for them to transmit faith.
We Need a New Evangelization
Pope John Paul II is credited with coining the phrase "New Evangelization" as he considered pastoral situations involving communism in Eastern Europe, Marxism in Latin America, secularism sweeping Europe and the United States, evangelical movements in Africa and the effects of the nuclear age in the political realm. The New Evangelization is about the new situations that man finds himself in and how the Church makes pathways in those situations for man to know Christ, the Gospel and the communio of a believing community called the Church. Pope John Paul II wrote in his encyclical Redemptor Missio (1990) that these pathways are a springtime for the Church and therefore not situations that we should turn our backs to or walk away from, since the Church is called to be in dialogue with all cultures of the world.
A key moment for the New Evangelization is the evangelization of culture, for it is here that believers live faith, discover their vocation and build up the Kingdom of God. Culture is not extraneous to the Gospel. Culture is formed and shaped by whatever forces are present. Culture by its very definition is organic and the very venue by which faith is experienced and lived. Many American Catholics live a dual life — keeping their faith as a private affair, while at the same time attempting to be good citizens by accepting whatever law is passed, whatever voice yells the loudest and whatever standard is purported to be socially acceptable. As a result, culture is poisoned, and the Gospel becomes less accessible.
The Church in America
During this past year, Pope Benedict XVI met with all the bishops of the United States who were participating in their ad limina visits, which take place every five years or so. The Holy Father recognized in his addresses to the bishops the challenges we see in our culture regarding religious freedom and the relationship between faith and culture. We Catholics have nothing to be ashamed of in what the Gospel of Christ announces. In the history of our faith, when we Catholics are persecuted and when we choose to be faithful to the Gospel, the Church prevails.
The New Evangelization for American Catholics demonstrates that one can be a faithful Catholic and a patriotic American. Many voices in the political and social orders of American society have convinced Americans that intolerance is a sin against patriotism. Many Christians, therefore, have re-created the Gospel to mean one that tolerates abortion, same-sex "marriage," homosexuality, euthanasia, etc.
The direct threat to evangelization is secular humanism. Secular humanism replaces God and positions man as the goal of culture. American Catholics and believers of God remained silent overall. The social sins we see today in American society are the result of silence.
Today, however, we see young Catholics, young families, seminarians, young women in consecrated life, college students and many more who are no longer bashful about their faith. But we must be careful to not misplace our energies.
In my third assignment as a rector, I am in awe and assured with much hope in the seminarians and the great priests they will be in the future. One caution I bring to their attention is to not misplace their orthodoxy, their love for the doctrines of our Church, and their natural desire to defend the Church with a militant preaching or condemning attitude. This was not how Jesus revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom.
There is a renewal occurring in our young people today, in the intellectual life of American Catholics, in those converting to the Catholic faith. There is a springtime occurring for us that we need to take advantage of. The bishops of the American Church appear to be getting back to the basics with their governing styles. A focus on priestly vocations, encouraging faithful marriages, cutting away diocesan bureaucracies, encouraging their pastors, and becoming more hands-on in the exercise of their apostolic ministry are signs of how the bishops can continue bringing unity to the Catholic faithful in American society.
Let us pray for the Holy Father and the Synod of Bishops. The Church is ready to embrace the New Evangelization.
Father James Wehner is rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
He previously was rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio
and Saint Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh.
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Edward Pentin: Pope Offers Plenary Indulgence During World Day of the Sick
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sounds good -BUT. Does USCCB believe in Evangelization? In my experience USCCB does not. W;hy oh Why does USCCB prohibit LOGOS from selling me Catholic software?
Each of our own responsibility -
“CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition”——
” 2105 The duty of offering God genuine worship concerns man both individually and socially. This is the traditional Catholic teaching on the moral duty of individuals and societies toward the true religion and the one Church of Christ.
By constantly evangelizing men, the Church works toward enabling them “to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures of the communities in which [they] live.
The social DUTY of Christians is to respect and awaken in each man the love of the true and the good.
It REQUIRES them to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church.
Christians are called to be the light of the world. Thus, the Church shows forth the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies. ”
For more info on the CCC go to: http://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com or
search ” What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE “.
Pope Benedict gave us the direction re evangalization in Motu Proprio PORTA FIDEI.
Starting with paragraphs #11, he says we must study and rediscover the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”.
“...this catechism will make a very important contribution to that work of renewing the whole life of the Church ...”
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html
As individuals we must ask ourselves -
1) When was the last time we read the CCC in entirety?
2) When was the last time we encouraged others to read the CCC ?
Go to http://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com or search: ” What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE “. Pass this site on to others.
Am I the only one who finds it amazing that the simple direction from Pope Benedict regarding the Year of Faith (Porta Fidei, starting with paragraphs #11) is so ignored by those who teach and write about the Faith ? ? ?
The real answer is so simple - - - -
Without encouraging literate persons to read and re-disover the CCC, evangelization WILL FAIL.
“...this catechism will make a very important contribution to that work of renewing the whole life of the Church ...”
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html
Why is the CCC being suppressed in so many Diocese?
When was the last time you heard your Bishop and Parish priest encourage you to read the CCC and ask others to do the same ?
“Evangelism 1 : the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ 2 : militant or crusading zeal.” Webster’s definition.
OK, get rid of the phony, politically sponsored “consistent ethic of life” the Chicago Archbishop, Bernardin, sold to the U.S. bishops on the pretense it will increase “followers” to join the pro-life movement. But in reality, it did not strengthen the pro-life movement. Instead,it saved the Democrat, pro-abortion party, from losing Catholics, their largest, single voting block, because now those Catholics can call themselves “pro-life,” too, because of the false impression that Democrat Party “cares for the little guy” after they are born, “not just before.” Bernardin and the bishops created a scenario that enabled Catholic Democrats to “believe” prudential judgment issues trump, or are at least equal to, intrinsic evil issues. And the USCCB’s “Faithful Citizenship” only reinforces Catholic Democrats “belief” that they have a “properly formed conscience.”
I think the “new Evangelism” should focus on those self-identified Catholics who profess to believe God is the giver of life, and pray for his will to be done on earth while continuing to give their name identification and votes to the pro-abortion, pro-same sex marriage Democrat Party that is diabolically opposed to what those Catholics profess to believe and pray for. The majority of registered-to-vote clergy, including bishops, are Democrats 39 years after Roe v. Wade and 52,000,000 murdered babies.
“New Evangelism?” Go figure.
I am very hopeful for a positive Synod particular when it comes to getting the fallen-away to come back home. Changing the liturgy is not the answer, but making sure that catechesis is available to the pew catholic is. The lack of pulpit teaching is reprehensible, instead we get entertainment or at the very least, watered-down orthodoxy. The strength of the catholic faith lies in truth and sometimes the truth hurts and drives away the fence-sitters. Churches are getting smaller in membership, some are due to poor leadership others are due to poor catechesis and others are due to declining populations, but churches can be resurrected by evangelization with the well trained priest and deacon. I hope for the future of the Church and pray everyday that the Holy Spirit gives us all a renewal in purpose.
Sorry, I am allergic to the word ‘New’ for all time. I cannot think of the word ‘new’ without adding “...and improved!”. I just SEE the word ‘new’ and turn away in disgust. Who needs a ‘new’ evangelization? We have a perfectly gorgeous ‘old evangelization’ tuned to perfection by the centuries and up on blocks in the Vatican garage. Please…no more new ANYTHING we are EXHAUSTED.
Hopefully,the synod will recognize the signs of tne times of the new evangelization.. The return of the Lord God Jesus Christ is not hundreds of. years off as is the impression both clergy and laity like to create. True-of that day and hour no one knows but the Father in heaven. BUT Jesus DID say, “watch for the signs”. The signs increasingly indicate the times of antichrist/many antichrists and the eventual coming of the actual person of antichrist to deceive and rule the world for 3 1/2 years before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Unless mankind repents universally of its sins that is what will become fulfilled. Bible prophecy is the inspiration and word of God Himself and is 100% accurate.
The greatest problem I see in America is an obvious breakdown of the most important doctrine of the faith, belief in the True Presence. When I entered the Church in 1949, the atmosphere was very different. From the attire, actions and obvious spirituality of it seemd everyone at Mass there was no doubt that they knew Our Lord was indeed present. What ultimately brought me into the Church was being enveloped and overcome to the point I was speechless and could scarcely breathe by what had to be the True Presence the first time I entered a Catholic Church in 1946 on the way home from occupation duty in Japan with a Catholic shipmate. Why me? I certainly had no reason to deserve such a thing, but I truly wish every Catholic could share this experience, and I never cease thanking God for the indelible mark it left on me.
I have no dispute with the Council per se, but what I see now is no accurate reflection of what I saw before the council. I sincerely hope the new evangelization will bring a return of what I saw when Bishop Sheen, my chosen mentor, ruled the airwaves with Life is Worth Living,
Estimates now indicate that only 25 percent still believe in the True Presence and it seems that the attire, actions, and obvious disrespect confirm the estimates.
I wonder if we can ever recover the lost respect without once again allowing only consecrated hands to distribute Communion on the tongue. It is extremely hard to believe that unless we recover the lost respect for the preeminent doctrine of our faith, the council will be plagued by doubts and unanswered questions.
Mojoron and others - catechesis is the answer to evangelization, in making certain that our Church attendees know the Faith in entirety, and that our fallen away Catholics and non-Catholics can be accurately evanglized by us individuals.
Parents must know that they will held responsible for teaching their children, not the Bishops or Priests.
When we are judged before Christ, he will not hold Bishops and Priests responsible for teaching others, but we will be judged on what we have or have not done.
The Magisterium has given us what we need for education - in the CCC.
If we do not read it and pass on the information - we as individuals will be held responsible.
We must point to ourselves for responsibily, not others.
We can not wait for all US Bishops to move as the Pope directed, because many will not.
Please read my posts above and go to the web sites indicated - for info on what each of us can and must do.
Thank you.
If they only would accept the Gift of Life that Christ offers. First is to know Jesus Christ and second is to be Born again, baptized with Fire from above. Surrendering our lives to the Lord the Giver of Life, who will lead and guide us in all truth. Evangelization is surrender simple surrender to Jesus Christ, who by His Cross and Resurrection has set us free. Unless a man is Born Again he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you believe that you are open to Life, open your hearts to the Lord the Giver of Life.
ANNE, I attended Mass yesterday evening and during the priest homily he instructed his parishioners to dust and Read the catechism if they have one and to purchase one if they do not. Young priest are following the Holy Father’s Lead. In fact he mentioned it again after the closing prayer. I think great change is coming.
Church leadership has failed on so many fronts it is unconscionable . Worst part is that lay Catholics like myself are stepping up and volunteering to bring our many leadership, communication, engagement and evangelization skills to the church and help revive it and they shun us, ignore us, and dismiss our efforts as though we are not welcomed into the Holy clique . It’s pathetic. We have a parish priest that can hardly speak English , doesn’t answer emails and blows parishioners off unless they relentlessly badger him and pin him down . The man has no leadership skills whatsoever. It’s the same story all over America. The answer is simple : train priests how to be accountable leaders and allow lay people with leadership skills to help . But that will require humility; and amazingly that is the thing Catholic Priests generally have the least of. Maybe it’s time we make them dress like the rest of us and stop calling them “father”??? Maybe that would get them off their pedestals so they aren’t looking down on the rest of us anymore
This country and the rest of the industrialized world have become secular and money-oriented. It seems when countries become economically prosperous, they tend to move away from God. Money becomes the ultimate idol. A good example is Ireland. It was the most Catholic country in the world. The last few years it has become prosperous, ergo, it moved away from God. Money is its God.
Thank God for any Bishops and Priests who promote the reading of the CCC.
Many years of poor catechesis has gotton our Country into today’s heresy, schism, relativism and secularism.
We each have a responsibility as individuals.
Ask yourself two questions:
1) When was the last time I read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” in entirety?
2) When was the last time I encouraged others to read it?
. . . . In the USA make certain that you have the accurate version - Holy See owns the copyright, first published in USA in March 2000, and cover states: “Second Edition, revised in acccordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II”.
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