On-Going Catechesis As An Essential Element For New Evangelization In The Mission Of The Church: A Case Study Of The Writings Of John Paul II
Date
2016
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College/Duquesne University
Abstract
During the Vatican II Council, Pope Paul VI, wrote his first encyclical about the Church
probably inspired by the atmosphere which characterized the Vatican II Council. The Holy
Father said, ‘‘We are convinced that the Church must look with penetrating eyes within itself,
ponder the mystery of its own being, and draw enlightenment and inspiration from a deeper
scrutiny of the doctrine of its own origin, nature, mission, and destiny’’ (ES 9). The Vatican II
Council came at an appointed time as pastoral and ecumenical council to review its
understanding of the Church guided by the Holy Spirit. The Church never ceases to widen and
deepen her understand of the Mission from which she was conceived.
The Mission of the Church has been understood differently by different Christians.
However, the sole mission of the Church is to proclaim the reign of God on earth. The Church is
not separated from the world, and all her activities are exercised in a world of misplaced priority,
consumerism and technological advancement, economic meltdown, barriers between the rich and
the poor, conglomeration of resources by a few, thus creating a gap between the rich and poor,
cases of child abuse, violence, persistent terrorism around the globe, quest for power and
affluence, climate change and ecological extinction. These affect and many more affect the
world and yet the Church has an indispensable role in being prophetic and the moral conscience
in such a society; the Church needs to and has to find its way to accommodate and achieve her
purpose in such a diverse society. The Mission of the Church generates newer perspective because the Church has to read
the signs of the times and find her rightful place in order to address surging issues that affect humanity. To realize this, there comes a need to understand the mission of the Church more
profoundly as Christians and to seek newer ways while upholding the gospel to carry out the
mission of the Church is the world. Pope John Paul II proposes New Evangelization as a method
of witnessing in the world. However, witnessing in a complex world such as ours requires a joint
effort of all Christians. Having understood what the mission of the Church is all about, Christians
have the task to involve themselves as well in bringing forth the Good News of Christ in the
world by words and deeds.
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Keywords
Catechesis, Evangelization, Mission, Church, John Paul II