Part I Continued

Francis Cardinal George

Francis Cardinal George, the Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, has echoed these same insights of the Holy Father. He helps to clarify what the Holy Father is suggesting as he presents his own definitions of primary evangelization, secondary or re-evangelization, and the new evangelization.

Primary Evangelization
The goal of primary evangelization is the transplanting of Catholicism through missionary activity. Proclaiming the Kerygma that Jesus Christ is Lord to those who have never heard it was the particular task of the mission ad gentes and took place outside of Christian lands which were marked by catechesis within already established parochial and pastoral structures.

Secondary Evangelization or Re-Evangelization
Through this effort, lapsed Catholics or other Christians are called to a renewed faith and a conversion that brings them new strength in their relationship to Christ and His Church. Parish missions were often the preferred means for the conversion of the baptized. Occasionally, missiologists also spoke of “auto-evangelization.” This was a reminder that evangelizers must themselves be evangelized before they proclaim the Gospel.

New Evangelization
Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s beliefs and writings, this fresh effort encompasses a post-Vatican II renewal of Church identity and mission. This new vision of evangelization integrates the person and his/her culture, moving out from the heart of Christian proclamation to areas of life seldom recognized as terrain ripe for evangelization.

Cardinal George suggests that the New Evangelization has a specific meaning beyond the outreach to lapsed Catholics. The Holy Father has spoken of those persons, groups, and societies that were once Christian but are no longer. The new ecclesial response must enfold Catholics who have joined other Christian groups and non-Christian movements. The New Evangelization must address inadequate catechetical and liturgical formation within the Catholic Church itself; it must confront the growing secularization of professions and contemporary culture as a whole.