New Evangelization needed to answer crisis of secularism, Pope says
CWN - May 30, 2011
Meeting on May 30 with the staff of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI said that their work is needed in response to "the crisis we are living through."
"The mission hasn't changed," the Holy Father told the members of the newly created Pontifical Council. The Church is always dedicated to spreading the Gospel. But today that mission calls for "a new way of evangelizing," in light of the damage done by secularization, which has "left deep scars on even traditionally Christian countries."
The crisis of secularism, the Pope continued, has produced in many societies “the exclusion of God from people’s lives, a general indifference towards the Christian faith, an attempt to marginalize it from public life.” In countries once formed on the basis of a Christian heritage, he said, “we are witnessing the tragedy of a fragmentation which no longer allows for a unifying reference point.”
To answer the challenge, the Pope said, after long reflection he decided to create the new Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, which is now headed by Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella. He encouraged the group to recognize the urgency of its work: to "revive the missionary spirit."
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Posted by: New Sister -
May. 30, 2011 4:32 PM ET USA
I just hope Archbishop Fisichella looks to the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter as a model for the New Evangelization and not to more bling-bling from laity. We need faithful priests - with deep love and devotion to the Holy Eucharist in the Sacrifice of the Mass; filial love and loyalty to the Supreme Pontiff; faithfulness in following Christ, the High Priest -- and total devotion to Mary, Mother of Priests.
