Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "New methods and new forms of expression are needed to convey to the people of today the perennial truth of Jesus Christ, forever new and the source of all newness... This renewed dynamism in the Christian community will lead to renewed missionary activity (missio ad gentes), now more urgent than ever, given the large number of people who do not know Jesus Christ in not only far-off countries, but also those already evangelized." This is what His Exc. Mgr. Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops writes in the Preface to the Instrumentum Laboris of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith" (7 - 28 October, 2012). In addition to the Preface, the Instrumentum laboris consists of an introduction of four chapters and a Conclusion.
The Introduction presents the structure of the Instrumentum laboris, it indicates the reference points of the Synod (50th anniversary of II Vatican Council, the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Year of Faith; also the teachings of II Vatican Council, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi, the Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Missio and the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennium Ineunte), to discuss the significance of the synod topic and expectations on behalf of particular Churches.
The first chapter, entitled "Jesus Christ, God the Father’s Gospel to humanity", reiterates the experience of Christian faith: the encounter with Jesus, "the first and greatest evangelizer", and the fundamental vocation of the Church - to proclaim to the people of our time, the Good News received. "We can therefore understand, how every one of the Church’s actions has an essential evangelizing character and must never be separated from the duty to help others to encounter Christ in faith, the primary goal of evangelization." The mission of the Apostles and the Church is often marked by martyrdom: "Martyrdom gives credibility to those who bear witness; they do not seek power or gain, but give their very lives for Christ." However, erroneous beliefs unfortunately exist which "limit the duty to proclaim the Good News" believing that any attempt to convince others on religious matters is a limitation of their freedom
In the second chapter of the document - "Time for a new evangelization" - describes the current world (cultural, phenomenon of migration, the economy, politics, scientific research and technology, religious aspect, civic life) and the resulting new social situations that challenge the Church and believers demand appropriate responses. "Today the proclamation of the Gospel is much more complicated than in the past, but the task entrusted to the Church remains the same as its beginning. Since the mission has not changed, it is fair to consider that even today we can show our enthusiasm and courage that moved the Apostles and early disciples." Some numbers are specifically dedicated to the theme of "Missio Ad Gentes, Pastoral Care, New Evangelization", which emphasizes how "the evangelizing work of the Church is in deep transformation. The traditional and established figures - which are conventionally denoted by the term ' Ancient Christian Countries ' and 'mission lands' - are showing their limitations. " The geographical space within which the new evangelization develops, without being exclusive, concerns primarily Western Christian, and its recipients are baptized people who are living a new life and a new cultural context in which in fact their faith and their witness is conmpromised . However, the new evangelization also cover "young Churches" in Africa, America, Asia and Oceania. (1) (SL) (Agenzia Fides 20/6/2012)
