In 1974, a Synod of Bishops met to discuss evangelisation, and in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975), Paul VI famously said: The Church was thus seen to be ‘by its very nature missionary’, and ‘in mission’ on all continents. The Council’s Decree on Missionary Activity of Church Ad Gentes (#2) spoke of mission as being rooted - not in us and our activity - but in the Blessed Trinity Itself: in the Father’s sending of his Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit. In Vatican II itself, the word ‘evangelisation’ not used, but it did come into widespread use shortly afterwards. Mission was chiefly seen as something taking place oversees, the bringing of the Gospel to native peoples. Pre-Vatican II circles spoke of mission and ‘missiology’ (the theology of mission). The Roman Catholic term ‘evangelisation’ (used now by some non-Roman Catholics) includes specific acts of witness, but is in fact much broader. It is interesting to note that non-Roman Catholics tend to use term ‘evangelism‘, but this usually refers to specific acts of Christian witness. Repent and believe the good news!’” (1:14-15). It is what we find referred to in St Mark’s Gospel, for example: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. We are doubtless all familiar with the term ‘evangelisation’, which comes from Greek and means, ‘to announce Good News’ or ‘glad tidings’.
Let us begin with some thoughts on what we mean by the expression “ new evangelisation“.
An address by Monsignor Philip Egan, former episcopal vicar for the New Evangelisation of the Diocese of Shrewsbury
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