Pope emphasizes evangelization in audience with bishops from Ethiopia, Eritirea
May 09, 2014
In a May 9 address to the bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of evangelization.
Faith in Christ, “present in your lands from the earliest days of the Church (cf. Acts 8:26-40), has been nourished and renewed throughout the years by devoted missionaries who, compelled by their love of Christ, proclaimed the Gospel,” said Pope Francis.
“In our own day, we require again this missionary spirit to announce the saving message of new life in Christ to all of society, not only to those who do not know him, but also to the faithful, so they may hear once more the freshness of the Gospel and be encouraged to find ever new and creative ways to live and celebrate their faith,” he added.
After discussing the importance of priestly formation and the closeness of bishops to their priests, the Pontiff noted that “the work of evangelization is not reserved to the clergy or religious, but is the competence of all the Christian faithful, who are called to proclaim the saving love they have experienced in the Lord Jesus.”
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Further information:
- Visita "ad Limina Apostolorum" dei Presuli della Conferenza Episcopale di Etiopia e di Eritrea (Holy See Press Office)
- Bishops of Ethiopia and Eritrea: Your Efforts to Alleviate the Suffering of Your People Bear Witness to God's Love (VIS)
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Posted by: koinonia -
May. 09, 2014 9:34 AM ET USA
"Faith in Christ, “present in your lands from the earliest days of the Church (cf. Acts 8:26-40), has been nourished and renewed throughout the years by devoted missionaries who, compelled by their love of Christ, proclaimed the Gospel,” said Pope Francis." (This includes the blood of countless martyrs who gave their all for Christ). His words ought to animate any "new" evangelization. Our incessant tinkering- our "hubrility"- tends to obfuscate the timeless utility of our enduring faith.
