Overview of the New Evangelization

THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

OUTLINE Genesis of the term Background and context Goals Challenges

2006 Thoughts from Bishop Edward Clark Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

WHAT IS “THE NEW EVANGELIZATION?”

vs. The “Old Evangelization”

WHY DO WE NEED A NEW EVANGELIZATION ?

“ 88/5 – 17/2 “

THE “NEW EVANGELIZATION”

1975 - Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi ("Announcing the Evangelization").

1983 - John Paul II to Latin American bishops in Haiti.

1990 – John Paul II Redemptoris Missio ("The Mission of the Redeemer")

Pope Benedict - announcement of the “Year of Faith.”

CONTEXT :

Directed at believersNot non-Catholics, non-Christians, non-

believers.

Not about ... passing on doctrine. Catechesis but from a different perspective

and for a different purpose.

Not about ...proselytizing, baptizing new converts, increasing numbers of new church members.

CONTEXT

IS about:

Completing the mission of Christ

Revitalizing the members.

Leading them to personal/intimate relationship with Christ.

GOALS:

Focus on the laity.

Know Christ and be his follower.

Deeper individual conversion.

Deepening religious experiences and commitment.

GOALS:  Call to:

Marginal members.Those barely evangelized.

  Search for:

Those who have left the church.Those who have ceased practice.Goal - welcome them back!

GOALS: Engage cultures previously identified as

Christian (North America, Western Europe)

New methods of communicating the Gospel.

Context and Challenges:

• Evangelization is the core mission.

• Need to REEVALUATE and RECAST the mission:– Of the church – Of each parish– Of each individual.

THE ORDER OF EVANGELIZATION:

Relationship (not activities), Leads to Baptism,

Leads to deeper catechesis (Matthew 28:19-20)Leads to mission

Leads to “discipleship”Leads to “Apostleship”

“Go make disciples; baptize them in the name…..; teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

This is not understood by the majority of American Catholics.

CATECHESIS:

Essential responsibility of the church, yet...

Most adult Catholics: Don’t know enough about their faith to pass

it on to the next generation. Don’t participate fully enough to understand

what life in a faith community "feels like."

CATECHESIS – CHALLENGES:

Teaching ourselves FIRST.

New approaches & tools to further adult faith formation.

Fostering religious experiences. 1980s young adult Charismatics, Kairos

“Whole family catechesis.”

Prayer.

Retreats and prayer experiences

NEW EVANGELIZATIONEnd of Presentation