PASTORAL LETTER
On New Evangelisation
to be read in all churches and chapels of the Diocese
on the First Sunday of Advent
2nd December 2012
My dear brothers and sisters,
The Christmas celebration reminds us that Christianity lies at
the foundation of our nation’s life. And yet, we are also aware
that, of those 72 per cent of British people who declare
themselves as “Christian,” so many are no longer actively part
of a church or share a living faith. We see the Christian
foundations of our society being challenged as never before,
whether on questions concerning the sanctity of human life or
the very identity of marriage.
Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, invites us to respond to this
challenging situation by nothing less than a New
Evangelisation. This may seem a surprising phrase; it evokes
the “first evangelisation” which continues both at home and
overseas where the Gospel is announced for the first time.
What, then, is new about the new evangelisation? It speaks to
a new situation, the one we often meet today in our families,
parishes and society. One Archbishop of Paris famously asked
to be reminded - whenever he was in a crowded church - of the
many people who were not there. At Christmas time, we cannot
fail to think of many people who received the great inheritance
of the Christian faith, but in whom
“the light of faith has grown dim” (Pope Benedict XVI,
Closing Homily Synod of Bishops, 28th October 2012).
The need to announce anew our Catholic faith in Christ does
not mean that the past work of our parishes has failed. New
Evangelisation recognises that, together, we face a changed
situation, one which demands a new response from us all.
The Second Vatican Council, meeting fifty years ago, drew
attention to the fact that most people would only hear the
Gospel and know the Catholic Church through the members of
Christ’s faithful whom they meet. In other words, each one of
you listening to my letter today! I am often reminded of this in
conversations with people outside the Church who immediately
tell me of the Catholics they themselves know. The New
Evangelisation involves us all.
Blessed John Paul spoke of new evangelisation as being new
in its ardour, new in its methods and new in its means of
expression. It is no coincidence that he spoke first of a “new
ardour,” which means a renewed love for Christ and His
Church. New evangelisation begins in our hearts, because
without such love there will be no new energy to bring others to
know Christ. The Catechism puts this very simply:
“from the loving knowledge of Christ there springs up in
the believer the desire to evangelise and catechise, that
is, to reveal in the Person of Christ the entire design of
God and put people in communion with him”
(Compendium of the Catechism n. 80).
So, new evangelisation is not primarily about having new plans
or new strategies. New evangelisation flows from renewed
love, which in turn leads us to seek new ways of giving
expression to our Catholic faith, new methods by which to
communicate to our contemporaries the unchanging Gospel,
the faith of the Church in all its fullness. As I look to the years
ahead as your bishop I realise this is no small task. Pope
Benedict describes this as:
“the urgent need to proclaim Christ anew in places
where the light of faith has weakened, in places where
the fire of God is more like smouldering cinders, crying
out to be stirred up, so that they can become a living
flame that gives light and heat to the whole house”
(Closing Homily Synod of Bishops, 28th October 2012).
In the Diocese, we are setting up new commissions, and
organising courses and conferences to help us meet this
challenge. I realise, however, that what matters most is the
influence of the lives of each one of you, and how you give
witness to your Catholic faith amidst the difficult circumstances
of our time. This must surely begin with prayer, much prayer.
Indeed, Our Lord reminds us on this First Sunday of Advent,
“stay awake, praying at all times …” (Luke 24:34).
It is why, since becoming your bishop, I have emphasized the
need to put prayer first. The prayer card for the Year of Faith
reminds us that the new evangelisation begins in prayer.
At the time of year which stirs the embers of the memory of
Christian faith in our country, we desire that all may come to
know the light of the
“Saviour who has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2: 11).
Wishing you the joy of Advent and a truly happy Christmas,
+ Mark
Bishop of Shrewsbury
