ROAD BLOCKS

We already have this ardour: it’s the fruit of the Cross and a gift of the Holy Spirit, reflected in the logo of CASE.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place… And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak….” (Acts 2:1-4).

So why isn’t this ardour for evangelisation more in evidence?

Perhaps because….

• We “face a situation which is becoming increasingly diversified and demanding, in the context of globalisation and of the consequent new and uncertain mingling of peoples and cultures.” (Novo Millennio Ineunte 40) Can we evangelise after September 11th?
• “Difficulties both internal and external have weakened the Church's missionary thrust toward non-Christians, a fact which must arouse concern among all who believe in Christ. For in the Church's history, missionary drive has always been a sign of vitality, just as its lessening is a sign of a crisis of faith.” (Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio 2)
• “Young people today are not attracted to a Christianity which has died the death of a thousand definitions” (Fr Dianni, Marist Vicar General). And not only young people: if you’re not sure what you believe, how can you share it with others?
• It’s not British! We don’t talk about religion. Especially Catholics – we “keep the faith”, we don’t wear it on our sleeve.
• We can also be demoralised by the failings of the Church, e.g. sexual scandals involving priests, weakness in confronting evil, and the divided state of the churches. How can we proclaim a faith with such high standards if we fail to keep them ourselves?