[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.