Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "Faith is not kept alive by itself in the world, it is not transmitted automatically to the human heart, but must always be proclaimed... The Church, each one of us, needs to bring in the world this good news that Jesus is the Lord, the One in whom the closeness and love of God for every man and woman, and for all humanity has been made flesh. This announcement should resonate again in the regions of ancient Christian tradition. Blessed John Paul II spoke of the need for a new evangelization aimed at those who, despite having already heard of the faith, do not appreciate, do not know the beauty of Christianity, indeed, sometimes even consider it an obstacle to happiness". These are the words uttered last night, on June 13, by Pope Benedict XVI during the speech with which he inaugurated the Ecclesial Diocesan Convention of Rome in the Cathedral of San Giovanni in Laterano on the theme: "They were cut to the heart" (Acts 2, 37). The joy of generating faith in the Church of Rome".
Men today often forget God also because they reduce the person of Jesus "to a wise man and is weakened, and divinity more than often is denied " the Pope said, noting that " incarnation belongs to the heart of the Gospel" and calling for “the commitment to a renewed season of evangelization, which is the task not only of some, but all members of the Church. Evangelization tells us that God is near: God is shown. In this hour of history, is this not the mission that God entrusts to us: to proclaim the permanent news of the Gospel, as Peter and Paul did when they came to our city? Do we not also need to show the beauty and the reasonableness of faith, bringing the light of God to the man of our time, with courage, conviction, and joy? "
After pointing out that there are many "people who have not yet met the Lord", who should be given special pastoral care, the Pope underlined that the messenger of this good news “is every baptized", especially the parents... called to cooperate with God in transmitting the priceless gift of life, but also to get to know He who is Life". Because "the knowledge of Jesus grows and continues beyond the celebration of the Sacraments" catechesis has an important role, which “is ecclesial action and therefore it is necessary that the catechists teach and witness the faith of the Church and do not give their interpretation. For this reason the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been realized, which ideally tonight I give back to all of you, so that the Church of Rome can undertake with renewed joy in the faith". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 06/14/2011)
