VATICAN - International Meeting on 40th anniversary of “Ad gentes” decree: the Church in Oceania is called “to give priority to new evangelisation proclaiming the Gospel” says Card. George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney

Saturday, 11 March 2006

AFGHANISTAN

2024-04-22
Commemoration of the victims of the Easter attacks: Catholic Church wants to initiate the beatification process of their martyrdom

2024-02-07
Manipur, torn by conflict, tries to reconnect the threads of dialogue

2023-12-04
The Franciscan Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Jinan celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium, to continue walking on the paths opened by the Second Vatican Council

2023-10-16
Prayer for the reconciliation of the peoples of Israel and Palestine

2022-02-24
Integrating refugees into society: the commitment of the Pro Bambini Association of Kabul

2021-12-18
The Barnabites, with their hearts in Kabul: "Pray for Afghanistan"

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Cardinal George Pell Archbishop of Sydney, in Rome for a Convention on the 40th anniversary of the Vatican II decree ad gentes organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples 9-11 March said that to meet the needs of the people and to counter secularisation, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, the Catholic in Oceania strives to “give priority to new evangelisation proclaiming the Gospel”.
“The Ad Gentes decree - the Cardinal said - is perhaps more important today than 40 years ago because it reminds Christians on every continent of the duty to preach the Gospel and re-evangelise humanity of today. In some parts of Oceania some pastoral workers may be more inclined to give more importance to social development but the message of Ad Gentes brings us back to the central need to share with others belief in Jesus Christ and God’s love”.
The Archbishop of Sydney said the Church in Australia was “very grateful to the European missionaries who brought the Word of God to the Pacific but wishes to avoid mistakes of Western Europe gripped by atheism and secularisation. This is why we strive help Christians grow and mature in the faith. We need faith which is strong and convinced, ready to be communicated and witnessed. There are many approaches for evangelisation: the important thing is that they are all Christ centred”.
In Oceania the media and especially the Internet are important channels for mission and communication among distant islands. In Australia and new Zealand these means, the Internet especially, are fundamental for youth pastoral care, the Cardinal said
He recalled the Special Synod of Bishops for Oceania held in Rome in 1998 and said that “today the situation of Catholics in Australia is stable and I am optimistic for the mission of the Church. We see a growth in vocations to the priesthood and new enthusiasm in the faith, especially among young Catholics. According to recent surveys the percentage of declared believers in Australia is increasing. This is encouraging and the Church must be ready and able to meet this spiritual and religious reawakening. Our task - said Card. Pell - is to stop the erosion of the faith in the Catholic community, strengthen Christian identity, encourage coherence of faith and life, formation, strive to show ourselves as authentic followers and credible witnesses of Christ”. (P.A.) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2006 righe 28 parole 269)