Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
Pope’s representative calls on US Church for New Evangelization

Pope’s representative calls on US Church for New Evangelization

Last updated on: November 13, 2012 at 11:00 am by CNA Daily News

Pope’s representative calls on US Church for New Evangelization 2012-11-13T11:00:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Baltimore, Md., Nov 13, 2012 / 04:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Church in the United States and its bishops should play a major role in the New Evangelization by presenting the gospel values they maintain amidst a secular culture, the Pope’s representative to the U.S. said.

"The leadership of the bishops is of pre-eminent importance if the Year of Faith is to have a long-term effect and if the New Evangelization is to be not merely a temporary enthusiasm, but rather a permanent dynamic in the life of the local Church," said Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, papal nuncio to the U.S.

The nuncio addressed the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at its fall general assembly in Baltimore on Nov. 12.

During the American bishops' recent series of "ad limina" visits to Rome, Pope Benedict XVI recognized the "grave challenges" presented by an "increasingly secularized society," Archbishop Viganò recalled.

In response to these challenges, the Pope has emphasized the need for a New Evangelization and has called for a Year of Faith, which is currently underway, he said.

Archbishop Viganò observed that the Church in the U.S. has "reaped untold benefits" from saints, such as the North American martyrs, Junipero Serra, Mother Cabrini and others who came from Europe and distant lands "to plant seeds and act upon the Gospel message" in an initial evangelization.

Now, he said, Europe has fallen away from gospel values, turning towards consumerism and materialism.

"Yet, these Gospel values, by the grace of God, although strongly confronted by secular society, are still very much alive in the Church in America," the archbishop declared.

For this reason, America "should take major responsibility in this New Evangelization, not only for the members of our local Church but for the Church worldwide."

"Therefore, missionary zeal must be reborn," he said, emphasizing that bishops must lead the way in witnessing to a life in Christ, showing this path to others.

"The vibrant spirit, still so much alive in the Catholic Church, should inspire those who have lost their way, those who have become absorbed in materialism, imprisoned by secularism and those disillusioned young people looking for meaning for their existence," he said.

To accomplish this mission, Archbishop Viganò said that every bishop must devote his attention to "the spiritual renewal of his presbyterate, as well as the life of the seminary."

"We must continually undergo conversion ourselves, so that our people, especially through this Year of Faith, will have a renewed trust and confidence in us who are the messengers of the Gospel," he said.

In the same vein, Archbishop Viganò urged "careful selection of those aspiring to priesthood," exercising "a discerning eye to see and to take leadership of what is the best course to follow for those who are preparing for the ordained ministry."

"Vocation directors must be priests who, working together with their bishop, have a keen and prayerful sense of those who will faithfully communicate to others the mind of the Church," he explained.

"We must choose for our seminaries the finest priests possible, not necessarily the most renowned, or the most highly recognized, or even the most intelligent, as true teachers, models and examples for our seminarians," he added. "We need priests first and foremost who draw others to the message of Christ crucified through holiness of life."

He encouraged the bishops not to distance themselves from their priests and seminarians, but to make them "feel that they can freely come to you."

"There are many optimistic signs that this renewal of the presbyterate is already taking place," Archbishop Viganò observed, pointing to bishops' participation with their priests in liturgical events, retreats and group meetings.

He also related that his "limited personal experience" seems to indicate a promising "revitalization of seminary life" in the U.S.

The nuncio encouraged the bishops to continue these positive endeavors, always remembering to ask for forgiveness in times of failing, in order to more effectively meet the call of the New Evangelization.

"With good, solid, dedicated priests and seminarians, the Church will have the future leadership it needs to face the challenges of the twenty-first century and to make the Gospel message come alive," he said.

Previous Post

November 13, 2012

Bishops to consider sainthood cause of Dorothy Day

Next Post

November 13, 2012 Bishops choose new committee heads, treasurer-elect

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah Paul Jesus Elijah