Pastoral Letters and Messages
We Are Sent: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelisation
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A. Introduction

Since becoming Archbishop evangelisation and mission in the Archdiocese have been my foremost pastoral priority.

I launched the pastoral focus “Contemplate – Launch Out” (2002-2004) to provide an opportunity over an extended period to ponder these vital perspectives given by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, “NovoMillennio Ineunte” (2001).

I established a Committee for Mission (2002-2004) to examine the implications for evangelisation in the Archdiocese in the new millennium. After thought and consultation the Committee has presented its recommendations.

This Pastoral Letter aims to offer a more direct application to the Archdiocese on evangelisation - “leading people to encounter the Gospel”.

Much has already been achieved. We have energy in shared pastoral work; schools and parishes are continuing outreach; new movements (referred to as new ecclesial communities) are fervent and apostolic; Catholic youth ministry shows great fervour and energy. As I move around the archdiocese I see how the Holy Spirit has raised up gifted Catholics and communities in bringing people “home” to the Church. There is evangelical zeal amongst priests, religious, pastoral associates, laity, parishes, communities, agencies, and deaneries. Thank you!

We now face new challenges. New methods of evangelisation are needed in our society, which has changed so much.

Catholics need deeper courage to respond to the Lord’s command to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). We need to learn new pastoral skills to enable this to take place practically and persuasively.

I offer some basic guidelines on Catholic evangelisation so that we all proceed from a shared theological-pastoral foundation that is faithful to our Catholic tradition. I will indicate new and urgent fields for evangelisation. Finally, I will give specific direction as to how such perspectives are to be implemented practically.

B. Evangelisation: Some Guidelines

1. What is Evangelisation?

It is simply bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all aspects of our shared humanity: helping people to encounter the Gospel. This activity of the Church is referred to as ‘Evangelisation’. It is about being in Christ and in the world of today.

Jesus is the first evangeliser. He is the Good News of God the Father in person. His preaching and signs proclaimed the liberating message of salvation. His life, death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost offer us freedom from sin and evil. It is a gift of grace and mercy. It immerses us in the Kingdom of God.

Those who build up the Kingdom and gather in Jesus’ name form his Church. In sharing the life of Jesus we experience a profound friendship or “communio”. We continue his saving presence in the world today. We show forth the life of the Trinity. We exist to draw others into God’s grace and mercy. It is the Church’s deepest identity. “She exists in order to evangelise” (Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi” – EN 14) There is an inseparable link between Christ, the Church and evangelisation.

Evangelisation as a broad concept may seem complex. It contains many elements: proclamation, dialogue, witness of life, teaching, sacraments (especially the Eucharist), entry into the community of believers by Baptism, practical love of our neighbour in need, and the renewal of humanity. Yet it is directed towards one simple goal: personal conversion.

“The Church evangelises when she seeks to convert”. (EN 18). This inner conversion seeks to bring social arrangements in our cultures under the reign of God.

Why do we need a “New” Evangelisation?

Pope John Paul II states: “I sense that the moment has come to commit all of the Church’s energies to a new evangelisation”. (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Missio” –RM 3).

In Melbourne we can sense the same need.

This world knows the horror of terrorism; genetic research highlights major ethical issues; the internet revolution makes huge amounts of information, good and evil, immediate in our homes and offices; the evolving global economy emphasises the gap between rich and poor; the once Christian foundations of our society are irrevocably changed; and with devastating consequences. Pope John Paul also lists ecological issues, peace, threats to human rights. (NMI 51)

There is a lack of the sense of God and the importance of the Church. For example, decreasing numbers at Church, problems with a basic knowledge of Christian beliefs, difficulties in linking prayer with workplace expectations, the Christian faith exerting less influence on public morality, the “doing” of tasks in competition to the “being” of life, growing tensions in marriage and family life, the widening gap between the rich and poor.

New opportunities are present. Many hunger for contemplation and depth in life. For example, parishes continue to build communities of welcome and faith, and to welcome new members through the RCIA, migrant communities have inspiring vitality in collective faith, youth are open to conversion, especially during World Youth Days, new ecclesial movements demonstrate imaginative methods of evangelisation, and parishioners are led to conversion by the preaching of their pastors. The opportunities abound.

The task before us is self-evident: “A new evangelisation is the first priority for the Church in Oceania. In one sense her mission is simple and clear: to propose once again to human society the entire gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.” (John Paul II, “Ecclesia in Oceania” – EO 18)

If we contemplate Christ, all must seek to follow the Lord’s new Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) We do this in establishing Communion with each other – showing the love which comes from the Eternal Father, and is given us by the Spirit which Jesus gives to make us one heart and one soul.

The Church is the instrument of communion with God, and of unity for the human race, acting like a magnet drawing people to God and to each other.

2. Who Evangelises?

Every Christian, by virtue of Baptism, is called to evangelise. We are witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus in our world. We rely totally on the Holy Spirit, the “Lord and Giver of Life”, to give us the capacity to fulfil our primary duty of proclaiming Jesus as the Redeemer. “Without the Holy Spirit, evangelisation simply cannot occur.” (EN 75)

Although evangelisation is the primary task of the entire Church, our united witness is varied.

It was Jesus who called, trained, and sent out the first evangelists: the apostles. In union with the Pope, the Bishops as successors of the apostles continue this tradition of being teachers of the faith. Priests, by ordination, share in the ministry of evangelisation as co-workers with the Bishop. The consecrated life of Religious Brothers and Sisters is an eloquent means of evangelisation.

Laity, in the midst of the world, have a crucial role. “Their primary and immediate task is not to establish and develop the ecclesial community – the specific role of the pastors – but to put to use every Christian and evangelical possibility latent but already present and active in the affairs of the world.” (EN 70). Catholic social doctrine is a treasury to assist in evangelisation and the work for justice. In Melbourne, such a witness of faith needs to be encouraged, particularly in married and family life, youth, the poor and the marginalised.

3. Whom Do We Evangelise?

Proposing salvation in Christ happens on three levels.

3.1 Ourselves

We need to deepen our own faith. If there is to be a new evangelisation here in Melbourne, then the evangelisers themselves must be evangelised.

Evangelisation in our parishes is the central pastoral focus. We will gradually learn of evangelisation and listen to its central message of conversion. I thank those who are already championing this in parish initiatives. May others learn from the creative ways being employed.

Yet, new ways – “new in ardour methods and expression” – need to arise from our collective pastoral wisdom.

These will be developed by following two paths:

First, it will arise from the path of contemplation. In “Contemplate – Launch Out” we reflected over two years on Pope John Paul II’s “Novo Millennio Ineunte”. It is by first contemplating the face of the Saviour that our witness will become truly alive. (cf. NMI 16).

Second, by following pastoral initiatives that re-present Christ, the Lord and Saviour, to Melbourne in these times. This will require collective thought and imagination. I am confident of our pastoral traditions in the present challenges. We are to “put out into the deep!” (Duc in altum!) just as Jesus commanded his disciples.

3.2 Those Who Are No Longer Christians

We need to reach out to those who do not participate in sacramental life or who do not adhere to Catholic belief. We offer an invitation to conversion that brings them to a renewal of their Catholic life.

In the past this was often done by parish missions. New initiatives are emerging from around the world that achieve the same aim in ways attractive to our times – Alpha groups, the Neocatechumenal Way, Focolare, etc.

These and others need to be examined carefully and activated throughout the Archdiocese, if deemed appropriate to our situation. I encourage greater awareness of these groups and openness to their gifts. I am also aware of many local initiatives that have arisen from the people. Sharing among neighbouring parishes and deaneries is important so we can learn from each other.

3.3 Those Who Have Never Been Christian

Melbourne is largely home to a variety of cultures. Evangelisation here presents special challenges. I have every confidence that we can build on the initiatives of past and present and find new methods to evangelise our city.

Continuing to dialogue with voices different from ours is important at all levels. Direct proclamation of Jesus and his continuing presence in the Church may seem a formidable challenge. Catholics generally are not comfortable with such a possibility. Yet, such reluctance seems to be diminishing in more recent times. New pastoral skills are required in dialogue and proclamation to the unbeliever in our city. Education for evangelisation is needed.

New fields of evangelisation are emerging before us. With Melbourne’s reputation as a sporting centre, and its focus for science, medicine, education, finance, retail, entertainment and business – many exciting challenges arise. These areas and so many more present the new arenas where Christ and his teachings are to be proclaimed.

The Church must be present always in these new fields. “For the Church, evangelising means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new.” (EN 18)

C. Challenges and Reference Points

The report from the Committee for Mission, isolated a number of specific areas for urgent evangelisation: the parish; families; youth; school parents; the poor and marginalised.

We are grateful for what is achieved already. However, given the rapid changes in our society these areas are deserving of our special and immediate efforts of evangelisation.

D. Practical Implementation

As a response to these issues I have established the Archbishop’s Office for Evangelisation - Offering Hope to the World – Faith - Renewal - Proclamation of Christ - Outreach- as of primary importance among the agencies by which the Archdiocese supports parishes.

Evangelisation is to offer hope to the world from Christ by conversion, worship and teaching. It calls for a renewed presentation of Scripture and tradition, which leads to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and is missionary in outlook.

Systematic focus on evangelisation by education, information, resources and strategies will be promoted from the Office.

The Office will encircle and guide Catholic Adult Education Melbourne (including education for evangelisation as well as education and accreditation of Pastoral Associates) and will encircle and guide the Office for Worship (and include other prayer forms) because Evangelisation springs from prayer and holiness. It will maintain strong relationships with other diocesan agencies, deaneries, parishes, pastoral associates and all involved in the Church’s mission.

I urge every parish, school, agency, and community operating in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to make evangelisation its primary focus. For some it may already be the reality. For others it will be bringing a priority that was on the periphery of our focus to its centre. From this attitudinal change will flow many practical consequences.

E. Conclusion

“Let us go forward in hope! A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ. “ (NMI 58)

Thank you for your generous sharing in the challenge to invite our brothers and sisters to meet the Gospel anew. We are sent!

Yours sincerely in Christ,

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.