Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "The new evangelization is a long wave that will reach even the Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan. I am convinced that the peoples of Asia will benefit as much as those of the West, " says to Fides Agency His Exc. Mgr. Sebastian Shaw, Auxiliary Bishop of Lahore, among one of the participants in the Synod on the new evangelization being held at the Vatican. The Bishop will give a presentation to the work of the Conference "The New Evangelization in Islamic countries," which will be held at the Pontifical Lateran University on October 29.
Mgr. Shaw explains to Fides: "In Pakistan and Asia people are open to listening, they are vigilant on the theme of faith. The West complains about indifference, secularism, consumerism. In Pakistan people are attracted by a proposal of faith. So a renewed proclamation will breach the hearts. The role of priests, nuns, missionaries, catechists is important in helping to spark off the light of faith. The pastoral care of the Church is to go into homes to bring good news."
In the Pakistani context, he adds, "every day a new Christian sect is born, but we often wonder: where is the faith? The Synod on the new evangelization will help us to represent true faith, the true relationship with God, since the purpose of our life is holiness."
Among the problems that Pakistan faces is "the lack of books and subsidies, and the lack of formation, this is why we work on catechesis and education." One of the fields of the "new evangelization" in Pakistan is education, crucial field for the country: "It is important that teachers in Catholic schools are well formed. On the other hand, the Church calls on the government to review the texts in public schools, because some create hatred and prejudice against religious minorities, Hindus and Christians. As Bishops we are in contact with government offices to try to eliminate these biases in textbooks. Although there is opposition from some, we hope that this program will be carried out in order to contribute to harmony and peace in the future of Pakistan." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2012)
