The New Evangelization

 

by CAPP-USA

 

What is the New Evangelization?

The Church calls for a new evangelization and tells us that “to spread her social doctrine pertains to the Church’s evangelization mission and is an essential part of the Christian message”. (Pope St. John Paul II, 5)

Indeed: “the Church’s social teaching is itself a valid instrument of evangelization.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 54)

The Great Challenge

“True social justice, furthermore, can only be possible in a perspective of genuine solidarity that commits people to live and work always for others. Thus, to achieve this in practice in the context of the contemporary world is the great challenge of Christian people”. (Pope Benedict XVI)

The Church teaches that it is our role – ordained, religious and lay – to work towards developing strong, committed Catholic lay men and women, rich in faith and theologically prepared with the tenets of Catholic social teaching to be present in public life to explain and implement it in our world.

“Every Christian is called to practice this charity in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields”. (Pope Benedict XVI, 7)

Evangelization and Charity?

“To defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in life are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 1)

“In the face of suffering or violence, poverty or hunger, corruption or abuse of power, a Christian can never remain silent. The saving message of the Gospel needs to be proclaimed loud and clear, so that the light of Christ can shine into the darkness of people’s lives.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

“the Church’s social teaching is itself a valid instrument of evangelization.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 54)

CAPP-USA

It is towards this end that Pope St. John Paul II established CAPP — “to promote and defend the knowledge and the practice of the Church’s social doctrine.” (Message to the Members of the “Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice” Foundation, July 5, 2003).

Indeed, by assisting American bishops in forming the consciences of lay Catholics, CAPP is helping avoid the “serious pastoral problems created by a growing failure to understand the Church’s binding obligation to remind the faithful of their duty in conscience to act in accordance with her authoritative teaching.” (Pope St. John Paul II, 3)

Pope St. John Paul II went on to suggest the need for “a comprehensive catechesis of the lay apostolate” to help US Catholics understand our public duties.