Bishop Thomas: No More 'Camouflage Catholics'

[Catholic_Press]

American Bishops from states as diverse as Montana, Oregon and Alaska are in Rome this week for their regular visits ad limina apostolorum, ‘to the threshold of the Apostles’. “The ad limina apostolorum is a time for each Bishop to re-connect with the Holy Father and the See of Peter,” said Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, Montana. He said the visit reminds Bishops of the “apostolic foundations” of their ministry, and serves as a retreat for the prelates.

More…

 

[Dale_M]

The headline refers to a statement by Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, Montana.

“We’re beginning, first of all, by mobilising the diocesan clergy. They’re really the key to bringing the vision of the New Evangelisation to the people. So our presbyteral council – our priest council in our own diocese – and I are working together to create a very concerted plan in this upcoming Year of Faith, that would help each Catholic reclaim his or her own baptismal promise and identity as a Catholic, and then to very courageously invite others to see and taste the goodness of the Lord.”

He said, “My message, of course over and over again, is: No more ‘camouflage Catholics’ in our diocese! Mediocrity, the lukewarm spirit, is an enemy of the Church.” But, he added, his message is a very positive one: “The Church in the Northwest is very intentional, very dynamic… So I see it as a springtime in the Church.”

 

[OriginalJS]

Where is this “New Evangelization?” Why aren’t there priests who evangelize like Billy Graham? Where are the religious, or the devout, using shoe leather to go door to door to bring the message to the unchurched? Most of the material I see is just “preaching to the choir.”

 

[gus]

Its 80% of the choir that needs evangilization
If we get back 20% of them that will be great.
Fall away Catholics are the Third largest denomination in the country. Its through the witness of the faithfull 20% that we can get them to return.

 

[ringil]

Where is this “New Evangelization?” Why aren’t there priests who evangelize like Billy Graham? Where are the religious, or the devout, using shoe leather to go door to door to bring the message to the unchurched? Most of the material I see is just “preaching to the choir.”

That’s not how the Catholic Church words. We are not Protestants.

 

[ringil]

That’s not how the Catholic Church words. We are not Protestants.

I meant works.

 

[St_Francis]

Where is this “New Evangelization?” Why aren’t there priests who evangelize like Billy Graham? Where are the religious, or the devout, using shoe leather to go door to door to bring the message to the unchurched? Most of the material I see is just “preaching to the choir.”

Check out the Legion of Mary. Your priest might be interested if you wanted to start one in your parish.

 

[Elzee]

That’s not how the Catholic Church words. We are not Protestants.

It has nothing to do with ‘being Protestant’. This is the type of attitude that scares me. There is nothing wrong with learning from our non-Catholic brothers and sisters…it is through their “Protestant” evangelization techniques that they are convincing more and more Catholics to leave the Church and join non-denominational, evangelical communities. We are far behind our “Protestant” brothers and sisters in evangelizaing, which is why non-Catholic missionaries to countries like Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Romania…you name the country…are having such an impact.

Perhaps some “parks and street” evangelization would do us some good.

Teens in many evangelical churches are taught how to share their faith with others - we would be wise to begin training our youth and young adults to do the same. FOCUS is a prime example…it’s works!!!

 

[annaevers]

We are far behind our “Protestant” brothers and sisters in evangelizaing, which is why non-Catholic missionaries to countries like Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Romania…you name the country…are having such an impact.

Sadly, mostly they don’t evangelizing “pagans” but our Catholic brothers and sisters who are not very good catechized. That’s why they are going to “Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Romania”, the countries with the exception of Romania are mostly Catholic. This kind of evangelization is known as proselytizing.

Because I did know my faith, I nearly was victim of proselytizing. So, yes, New Evangelization is very need between the Catholics.

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

“My message, of course over and over again, is: No more ‘camouflage Catholics’ in our diocese! Mediocrity, the lukewarm spirit, is an enemy of the Church.”

To be blunt, I’ve only ever seen the Church encourage lukewarm spirit. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it discouraged.

That is, provided I understand what ‘lukewarm spirit’ means.

At least in my area, the stereotypical Catholic is considered cold, dispassionate, melancholy, pleasure-hating, etc.

Though when I think about it, even on CAF, that’s the way it is in my opinion. Examples would be claiming that non-chant music is the work of the Devil, the word “love” is for hippies or it’s a “new age phenomenon,” etc.