The New Evangelization: Down with Optimism, Up with Hope

Catholic Culture ^ | 10/10/12 | Dr. Jeff Mirus

[marshmallow]

The current Synod on the New Evangelization is not optimistic about the state of the world. This, I am prepared to argue, represents a seismic shift in episcopal perceptions over the past fifty years. In the second half of the twentieth century, the Catholic hierarchy in the West seemed possessed by what can only be called a foolish optimism, almost to the point of believing that human culture would evolve all on its own to a better and more spiritual state. Let’s look back a bit before going forward.

For a wide variety of cultural reasons, the world seemed full of promise in the 1960s when the Second Vatican Council was meeting in Rome. The Church reflected this sense of promise in the Council’s determination to recognize any good that existed in the human family generally and especially among non-Catholic Christians, with the hope of stabilizing and building upon that good in the full light of Christ. The key Conciliar document on this point is the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes).

At the same time, it would be wrong to accuse the Council of an unbridled optimism, as many have done. No, the chief Conciliar difference was an emphasis on connecting with the good rather than condemning the bad, a policy which had borne little or no fruit in the preceding centuries. Rereading Gaudium et spes nearly fifty years later reminds us that the Council fathers saw very clearly the tensions, corruptions and failings in human persons and human institutions which desperately needed to be purified by Christ. This, in fact, is a constant theme in the document. Consider, for example, this passage:

[count-your-change]

The commentary on the Synod begs the question: Who are the “evangelists”? who are going to do this “new evangelizing” of Europe and who is to be ‘evangelized’?

The Synod's documents:. “It is intended in particular for priests and deacons and those who educate seminarians.”

That sounds like preaching to the choir, what of the membership? Are they going to be asked to be homilists and preachers?

[sayuncledave]

Hi count-your-change,
I could be mistaken, but as a guess, the idea, in part, is better formation of the seminarians. When the modernists, back in the latter nineteenth century, were starting to foment things, they realized that for their movement to “stick,” they needed to start by changing the education of would-be priests, to their liking, and for the worse, for the rest of us. If the seminarians are better-formed priests, with proper theological backgrounds, they will be better pastors, better theologians, et cetera, and they’ll be less likely to stray from Church teachings in ways that matter. I understand your unstated point, and I do agree that more outward looking is extremely important. But think of, for instance, the Dominicans or Jesuits of old. If the start of the New Evangelization is better formed priests, that, in conjunction with the biological limitations of ill-formed priests will also go a long way to helping us all. Anyway, sorry about running on like this, but couldn’t find a more succinct way to put it. Just my (feeble) thoughts.

[GCC Catholic]

That sounds like preaching to the choir, what of the membership? Are they going to be asked to be homilists and preachers?

I think you may have your threads crossed. There is nothing about the Synod that is in particular for clergy.

The concept of the "New Evangelization" draws in everyone, clergy and laity alike. Being a baptized Christian carries with it an obligation to spread the Gospel, and the Synod is exploring ways to encourage people to do this more effectively. Catechesis is a large component of this, as is modern media - particularly the internet.

Preaching plays a special role in the New Evangelization, and certainly would pertain particularly to priests and deacons, since they are the only ones who may preach at Mass (Hence the upcoming USCCB preaching document that is mentioned in another thread).

That said, those with a gift for speaking should give talks, lectures, sermons, and presentations outside of Mass that convey the truths of the Faith... that is one of the ways God is calling them to evangelize.

[count-your-change]

“Being a baptized Christian carries with it an obligation to spread the Gospel, and the Synod is exploring ways to encourage people to do this more effectively.”

How do you think the laity is going to react when asked to be a active preacher?

[GCC Catholic]

How do you think the laity is going to react when asked to be a active preacher?

In terms of formal from-the-pulpit preaching? It's a moot point, because within a liturgy, they won't be asked. Liturgical preaching is solely the job of the clergy.

Laypeople who are prepared to share the Gospel need to be able to:

• Have an intentional relationship with Jesus Christ - an intentional life of prayer.
• Give witness to their personal faith -- How has Jesus affected their lives.
• Explain the basics of the Faith -- Bible and catechism. Basic apologetics is a good start.
• Recognize their talents and be willing to put them to use to spread the Faith and build up the Body of Christ.

The bulk of "preaching" that most Christians do is through the witness they give as they go about their day-to-day lives. Modernity has posed the challenge of life in a post-Christian culture, and too many Christians have swallowed it part and parcel. The New Evangelization is looking toward helping people live Christian lives within modernity, and to spread the Faith in this post-Christian culture.