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This Insights eNewsletter was sent to subscribers on October 9, 2012.

eNewsletter Subject: Let the New Evangelization Begin

Pope Benedict inaugurated the Synod on the New Evangelization on Sunday, with this homily.

Immediately before the Synod's inaugural address, the Pope declared two new doctors of the Church. In On the Culture, I summarize their lives and offer links to their major writings: New Doctors of the Church: St. Hildegard, St. John of Avila.

Many of the prelates involved in the Synod are expressing grave concern about growing secularization around the world. The dominant ecclesiastical attitude toward contemporary culture has clearly grown more critical in recent years, lending a greater urgency to evangelization. These news stories offer several examples:

• Leading prelates speak about mounting worldwide secularization
• In major synod address, Cardinal Wuerl rues secularism and poor catechesis, analyzes new evangelization

In other news, you may have seen reports that the Vatican has shut down talks with the Society of St. Pius X. But it seems that some sources have been making their own news. See Phil Lawler's answer to the question: Has the Vatican shut the door on the SSPX talks? Not likely....

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