Our Target Audience
The word 'target' can sound a little aggressive can't it, but what we mean
by this is, "Who is our evangelisation activity to be aimed at?"
We may well assume it is just for the benefit of non-Catholics. Perhaps
we feel it does not apply to people who are members of other faith communities,
likewise to those who are proclaimed atheists. However, the Gospels tell
us that the message of salvation is for......EVERYONE!
"Go therefore, make disciples of ALL nations." Matthew 28: 19
As members of Catholic families, parishes, schools, communities, organisations,
and as baptised individuals, it is this call that we must increasingly seek
to embrace.
- Universal. Our message is a universal one. That means that no land,
country or nation is exempt from being evangelised.
- Obstacles. In the past there have been huge obstacles and resistance
to evangelisation. At times, public powers have opposed the message, others
have ignored the message, some missionaries have failed to truly proclaim
what the Good News is. However, lessons learnt should give us new impetus
for the 'New Evangelisation'.
- The distant. We are called to reach out to those the furthest away from
the Gospel. This is sometimes called 'Pre-Evangelisation' and demands
a delicate process of meeting people where they are at. Our Catholic schools
and parishes form an important means through which we can make contact
with the so called "distant".
- To a de-christianised world. Our society is now post-Christian and we
are called to proclaim again the Christian message to it. People need
to hear the Good News afresh.
- Non-Christian religions. Catholics deeply respect members of other traditions.
They have rich and valuable insights to share with us. However, as Catholics,
we believe that in the person of Jesus Christ, we have a new richness
to share with them, and have a duty to do so.
- To believers. The Church seeks to renew and deepen the faith of existing
believers. It's a process of evangelising the evangelisers who face so
many difficulties in a secular culture and world. See the "Resources"
section for details of materials and training for existing believers.
- Non-believers. Catholics are called to reach out to those who do not
believe in Christ and feel they do not need him.
- The Non-Practising. This group and non-believers, at times, vehemently
resist evangelisation. We constantly seek new ways to reach out to these
souls.
- To the multitudes. The Gospel is not for a small elite group. We must
strive to reach every small group, so that in turn they reach out to others.
- Ecclesial base communities. The Church is blessed with a number of small
Christian communities. They are places where others can be evangelised
if they remain in communion with their local Church and the Magisterium,
are rooted in God's Word, recognise their limitations, avoid protest and
hypercritical attitudes, are universal, and grow in missionary zeal.
